Introduction -- Afghan history to 1973 -- Geopolitics then and now -- Traditional Afghan Islam -- Marx among the Afghans -- Holy warriors, Mujahidin, and fighting for Islam -- Beyond war: Afghanistan in post-cold war central Asia -- Elusive stability: Taliban, Arabs, and the Afghan future -- Appendices: A. Bibliographic essay -- B. Modern period rulers of Afghanistan -- C. Chronology of Afghan and regional events, 1747-2001.