Massoud: From Islamism to Freedom, Michael Barry

On September 9, 2001, al-Qaeda fanatics assassinated Commander Massoud, a sinister prelude to the New York attacks. Who was this charismatic and secretive man really? A strategic genius, a symbol of Afghan resistance who held back Soviet army tanks and then long contained fundamentalists backed by Pakistan? A visionary politician who wanted to restore a nationalist and secular state in Kabul? A mystic engaged in action, fond of poetry and a proponent of a highly spiritualized Islam? One of the best connoisseurs of Afghan history, Michael Barry traces the portrait and journey of this fascinating and enigmatic personality, who broke with Islamist extremism to fight it until his last breath, identifying with the love of his country. It is in a prestigious historical lineage of wise warriors – Marcus Aurelius, Lincoln, Abd El Kader – that Michael Barry places Massoud the Afghan.

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9782847490022