Welcome to The Book Corner, a biweekly book review by a member of our fantastic Bromley High School community.
For this week, we have a contribution from Mr. Hugo Robinson who has recently joined the school community. Mr. Robinson is a Latin teacher with a passion for politics and finds every opportunity to travel the world from the comfort of a cosy book corner.
‘The Places In Between’ by Rory Stewart
I’m currently reading ‘The Places In Between’ by Rory Stewart, the former politician (almost prime minister) diplomat and charity founder, and current academic, and podcaster.
This book was written before he became a public figure and recounts his solo journey walking across Afghanistan – it’s a rather unique travel book. It’s an engaging read, filled with fascinating anecdotes. Stewart weaves together accounts of the complex tapestry of Afghanistan’s long history with his own experiences. These show an incredible range of different cultures within the one country, from different religious groups and practices, different modes of dress and etiquette, and the varying degrees of Western influence. The impact of the various occupations, both Western and Russian, which Afghanistan has experienced are also cautiously but thought-provokingly considered, through the lens of their impact on the different people Stewart encounters.
All in all, it’s a book that not only gives insight into Afghanistan’s rich history and culture, but also provides a stimulus for thought on questions about human nature, society, and our relationships with others, all wrapped in an engaging narrative.
I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in broadening their mind!
