Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-42

By William Dalrymple

Categories: History

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, 1839-42 (2013) is a history by William Dalrymple. Dalrymple tells the story of Britain's First Anglo-Afghan War, using Afghan as well as British sources. He follows the invasion, occupation and disastrous retreat from Kabul, and draws parallels with later foreign interventions by Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States in the same country.

Recommended by 1 person

• Fareed Zakaria: “This week's book of the week is "Return of a King" by William Dalrymple who was on the show today. Dalrymple's fascinating history of the first Afghan war reads like a novel. It's a great and beautifully written yarn and it also has some important lessons for the present.”