{"title":"Fred Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection of works by the esteemed author Fred Smith, a master storyteller with a knack for blending personal experience and historical context into compelling narratives. Renowned for his vivid depictions of life in Afghanistan, Smith’s books offer readers a unique perspective on the complexities of war-torn regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Dust of Uruzgan\u003c\/em\u003e, Smith draws from his own experiences in the Australian Army to present an insightful and personal account of the challenges faced by soldiers on the ground. This book is not just a chronicle of military engagements but a heartfelt exploration of the human side of conflict, making it a vital addition to any Biography \u0026amp; Memoir collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Sparrows of Kabul\u003c\/em\u003e continues in the same vein, providing an intimate portrayal of Afghanistan’s rich tapestry of culture and resilience amidst turmoil. Smith’s ability to weave the stories of ordinary people with his own reflections gives readers a broader understanding of the nuances in this region’s ongoing struggles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFred Smith's works are more than just biographies; they offer an educational journey through the landscapes and lives that have been central to recent history. Dive into his writings to gain a deeper understanding of the world and the remarkable people who inhabit it.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-dust-of-uruzgan-by-fred-smith-9781760292218","title":"The Dust of Uruzgan","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFred Smith has been described as 'Australia’s secret weapon' in international diplomacy. As a career diplomat, he served for two years in southern Afghanistan. Working alongside Australian soldiers in Uruzgan Province, Fred's second career as a musician came to the fore, his guitar serving as a bridge not only to the troops, but also to the people and tribal leaders of that war-torn region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis song, 'Dust of Uruzgan', captured the hearts of many serving in Afghanistan, and 'Sapper's Lullaby' has become an anthem for soldiers and their families. His acclaimed album, \u003ci\u003eDust of Uruzgan\u003c\/i\u003e, earned him comparisons to Eric Bogle, John Schumann, and Don Walker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, with Australian forces out of Uruzgan, this gripping book is the first comprehensive on-the-ground account of Australia's involvement there. Part memoir, part history, part eyewitness reportage, it offers a sympathetic explanation of an obscure and impoverished province where tribal leaders conspire against one another in a society devastated by 35 years of warfare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith remarkable insight and humour, \u003ci\u003eThe Dust of Uruzgan\u003c\/i\u003e recounts the setbacks and successes of a contingent of Australian soldiers, diplomats, and aid workers struggling to make a difference in a place where truth and clarity were often buried, and where too many young Australians perished in the dust of Uruzgan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'I think a real strength of Fred's music and the way he writes his songs is that he's actually experienced a lot of what he's writing about. He's actually walked in the same footsteps of those soldiers he's writing about... He ate, he slept, he bathed, he worked, he lived with them and when soldiers died, he mourned with them.' - COLONEL JASON BLAIN, quoted on \u003ci\u003eAustralian Story\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46846167646444,"sku":"9781760292218","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/20309123482814.jpg?v=1758905151"},{"product_id":"the-sparrows-of-kabul-by-fred-smith-9781922571854","title":"The Sparrows of Kabul","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the US announced their intention to pull out of Afghanistan by September 2021, few anticipated how quickly the Taliban would overrun the Afghan National Security Forces. As Kabul fell two weeks before the deadline, those with reason to fear the new regime rushed to the airport desperate to find a way out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeasoned Australian diplomat, Fred Smith, who like many had acquired a passion for the Afghan people, was sent to Kabul airport to help coordinate the evacuation of Australian citizens and the many Afghans who had worked for Australia. This is his first-hand account of the evacuation effort, a deeply personal view of a complex mission doomed from the outset to be a partial success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs honest as it is passionate, it's an important record of a moment when Australia's soldiers and diplomats did what they could in difficult circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Sparrows of Kabul\u003c\/em\u003e is described by Hugh Riminton as, \"In Fred Smith's hands, this insider account of the evacuation of Kabul is a rare bird; viscerally honest, packed with self-doubt, suffering and grace. Not just the facts but the feelings as the mission saved many but failed others. Profoundly moving.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46846661787884,"sku":"9781922571854","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14129663482872.jpg?v=1758916534"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/fred-smith.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}