To Afghanistan and Back

Rating:
Summary: Great book that could have been better
Review: I liked this book alot. But, the truth is that Ted could have made this book much much better simply by organizing it better. First things first, while it possibly looked interesting to the editors, I found it disjointing how the book was a little bit book, then a little bit comic then a little bit book again.

Creative? yes, Functional? No. I'd stick the whole editorial "book" as a second chapter or as an Appendix. They're interesting on their own, but not when I'm in the middle of a quick moving comic. Besides which, the "book" part went over the same events in the comic.

Also, I had to kick myself when I found that 20 pages into the comic, the comic finishes. Oh man, I needed at least 60 pages to get some satisfaction...what are you going to do, the dude came home.

Lastly, some of his "facts" weren't facts, or I'm an idiot reading all the wrong sources. I dont think Ted does it on purpose, but he does state stuff that I haven't found true....ie. "French reporter gang raped by the Taliban"

All in all, I enjoyed it, definatly worth the time he put into it.

Rating:
Summary: Original and critical or just ranting and political?
Review: I'm going to have to go with the second choice, really. Though it is impressive that Rall actually went to Afghanistan, the book makes it quite clear that he had already made up his mind before going over there, and he only writes about what he sees that confirms his own views, drawing illogical conclusions from sporadic facts.
If you are looking for left-wing, critical literature, there is a lot better stuff to find. If you are looking for humor, there is likewise better things out there, and the same goes if you are looking for a travel account.
Possibly this book could interest you if you are looking for an extremely biased rant against the current administration's policies, lacking for self-criticism. Although, if you want that, why not just buy something by Michael Moore?

Rating:
Summary: a must-read
Review: In little more than a hundred pages, Rall dissects and analyzes the recent war on terrorism in Afghanistan and shows why it may never be won. Eye-opening, frightening, and dispiriting. I do have some minor quibbles with it, though-- there is some repetition between the graphic novel and the written portion, and his characterization of the Afghanis themselves is sometomes contradictory. Still, this is essential reading. I've always hated the phrase, "If you read only one book this year, make it this one," but in this case, it holds true.