Afghanistan has been a tinderbox for centuries. A major crossroads between East and West, it has seen many armies invade with impunity its rough and varied terrain - from Alexander the Great's in the 4th century BC to the Soviet and Nato forces of our own time. This clear introduction covers Islam, the Pashtun majority, the constant internercine strife, the powerful leaders - all from an historical perspective, which helps to explain the country's current position as one of the most dangerous on earth. And yet there remains an enduring fascination with its culture and its peoples...