{"product_id":"in-a-land-far-from-home-by-syed-mujtaba-ali-9781399802505","title":"In a Land Far from Home","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY TARAN KHAN, author of \u003ci\u003eShadow City\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eTRANSLATED FROM BENGALI BY NAZES AFROZ\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn intrepid traveller and true cosmopolitan, legendary Bengali writer Syed Mujtaba Ali spent a year and a half teaching in Kabul from 1927 to 1929. Curious to explore Afghan society, Mujtaba Ali had access to a cross-section of Kabul's population, and in \u003ci\u003eIn a Land Far from Home\u003c\/i\u003e, he chronicles his experiences with a keen eye and a wicked sense of humour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMujtaba Ali's travels coincided with a critical point in Afghanistan's history: when the reformist King Amanullah tried to steer his country towards modernity by encouraging education for girls and giving them the choice of removing the burqa. Branded a 'kafir', Amanullah was overthrown by the bandit leader Bacha-e-Saqao. With striking parallels to twenty-first century events in the region, \u003ci\u003eIn a Land Far From Home\u003c\/i\u003e is the only first-hand account of this tumultuous period by a non-Afghan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProviding a unique perspective, Mujtaba Ali's fascinating account is brought to life by contact with a colourful cast of characters at all levels of society -- from the garrulous Pathan Dost Muhammed and the gentle Russian giant Bolshov, to his servant, Abdur Rahman, and his partner in tennis, the Crown Prince Enayatullah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072297189612,"sku":"9781399802505","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10393113482686.jpg?v=1765091719","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/in-a-land-far-from-home-by-syed-mujtaba-ali-9781399802505","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}