What happens when a regular person accidentally finds themselves lost in the middle of a war?

In 1991, BBC journalist Chris Woolf travelled to Afghanistan. The government in Kabul was fighting for survival, after the withdrawal of the Soviet Union. The parallels to today are extraordinary.

Woolf was visiting a colleague to see if he’d like the life of a foreign correspondent. They hitched a ride with an aid convoy and bumbled straight into the war. They kept going, despite the horror and terror. There was no choice.

Amid the darkness, Woolf discovered the generosity and hospitality of ordinary Afghans.

They became the first journalists to pass through the battle lines from Kabul to meet with legendary warlord Ahmed Shah Massoud and carried home a vital message for the peace process. They met with Soviet POW/MIAs and recorded messages for loved ones.

Unlike a conventional war story, Woolf shares an intimate portrait of first encounters with death and real fear. He explores the lingering effects of trauma and explains how he put his experience to good use.

The author introduces listeners to just enough of Afghanistan’s history, geography, culture, and politics for listeners to understand what’s going on around him.

The perfect gift for all those who like military history and think they understand war.