West of Kabul, East of New York

By: Tamim Ansary

Narrated by: Tamim Ansary

The day after the World Trade Center was destroyed, Tamim Ansary sent an anguished e-mail to 20 friends, discussing the attack from his perspective as an Afghan American. The message reached millions.

Born to an Afghan father and American mother, Ansary grew up in the intimate world of Afghan family life but emigrated to San Francisco thinking he'd left Afghan culture behind forever. At the height of the Iranian Revolution, however, he took a harrowing journey through the Islamic world, and in the years that followed, he struggled to unite his divided self and to find a place in his imagination where his Afghan and American identities might meet. Here, in his own words, is one man's passionate personal journey through two cultures in conflict.

©2002 Tamim Ansary (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Urbane, accessible, compulsively readable." (Los Angeles Times)
"Stirring....A raw and poignant book...moving." (Santa Fe Mexican)
"The author's profound, complicated homesickness burns across every page." (Esquire)

A must listen

Well written, extremely insightful commentary woven throughout a compelling story. Will be recommending this book to many friends.

I wish everyone would read this.

Ansary vividly describes the traditional Afghanistan before complex events destroyed it, as well as contemporary history. I was moved in many ways. The chapter in which he talks about the ways that our memories keep a person “alive” and how we may come to know someone even more deeply after their death moved me to buy a copy of the book so I can share that.

Incredibly nuanced and moving

This book is a must read. The incredible soul of this wonderful author comes straight through. It is a lesson in history. A lesson in family. The tragedy of time passing and choices made. Destiny Disrupted from the author is also another masterpiece. What a genuine, profound, honest and sensitive writing. And thinking. Beautiful beautiful beautiful!

Still timely with important insights.

I always prefer a book when it is narrated by the author - I spent two years in Kabul at the end of the 50s as a small child. Ansary paints a picture that fills in the gaps of my memory, and I am grateful to him. He also explains simply and clearly the realities of Afghan history and the roots of its troubled history. One thing Americans don’t seem able to grasp is that democracy doesn’t work everywhere.
We shall see what happens now. I tremble for the women and children of that amazing land.

So good

Being in the military it was nice to hear of this man’s love of Afg. One foot in each world. Fascinating really.

It is very important to me to learn about other cultures

In reading this book I learned about the writer’s Afghan family and the conflict between Islam and the West. I learned too that we are more alike than different. As a Christian I agree with many of the teachings of the true Koran, those that teach love and respect for all. In this book I learned also that the Koran teaches that there is not much difference between capitalism and socialism. I agree and look forward to a time when we will not be decided.
My thanks to this writer.

Fabulous book and great listen

I listened to this book in one day… well stayed up till 3:00am to finish listening. Could not stop listening. Recommend highly!

I can't describe it!

I felt drawn into Tamim's story. I felt like he was my friend, and as if I was sitting across from him while he was telling me his stories. The people he described in his life felt so real that I felt like I knew them, too. Not only is Mr. Tamim an incredible prolific storyteller with a way with words, he captures perfectly the nuances and challenges of straddling two cultures as an Afghan American. His understanding and explanation of the different ideologies and beliefs that touched his life story, including Islam, Sufism, fundamentalism, agnostism and atheism, was so pleasing and written about with such understanding, empathy, and clarity. I can't believe I haven't read this book before now! Thank you, Tamim Ansary

A very profound Memoir

This is a fantastic book where the author does a top notch job of narrative of his unique background, upbringing and education. I think this book would be a good primer as a education tool for a lot of Americans to learn about Afghanistan, it’s people, and it’s tragic history.

Awesome.

This book was such a good read and I'm so glad I got to listen to it. I wish I could personally thank the author.
The facts, the life experiences, and for getting it all onto paper.