Dust of the Saints: A Journey to Herat in Time of War = [Khak-I Avaliya]

The author, London correspondent for the U.S. National Review , made an arduous trek across Soviet-occupied Afghanistan in 1987, escorted most of the way by mujahedin, Muslim resistence fighters. During the 102-day trip, he observed the aerial massacre of a village and encountered mine fields, ambushes and Soviet gunships. A political refugee from Poland who is now a British citizen, Sikorski sympathized with the mujahedin and their cause and was also fascinated by their culture, religion and mores. A sharp observer of resistance tactics, he is convinced that the delivery of U.S. anti-aircraft ``Stingers'' was the catalyst that eventually led to the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, though he noted one paradox: the more foreign military aid local commanders received, the less effective seemed their military muscle. His engrossing book is a skillful combination of travel writing, personal adventure and military reportage. Photos. (Oct.)