This two volume set by Percy Sykes, former diplomat and world traveller, is a thorough look at Afghanistan, a country with a unique geographical position within Asia. Sykes relied mainly on original sources to reconstruct a history of this country, and many illustrations and maps enhance the book's content. Volume one runs from Prehistoric times to the siege of Herat in 1833. The second volume details this history of Afghanistan from the first Afghan War in 1839 to the assassination of King Nadir Shah and accession of King Zahir Shah in 1933. Overall, Sykes has compiled a comprehensive and varied look at the history of Afghanistan, which will be of value for anyone interested in this mysterious country.