The Afghan

By: Frederick Forsyth

Narrated by: Robert Powell

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A chilling story of modern terrorism from the grandmaster of international intrigue.

The Day of the Jackal, The Dogs of War, The Odessa File: the books of Frederick Forsyth have helped define the international thriller as we know it today. Combining meticulous research with crisp narratives and plots as current as the headlines, Forsyth shows us the world as it is in a way that few have ever been able to equal.

And the world as it is today is a very scary place.

When British and American intelligence catch wind of a major Al Qaeda operation in the works, they instantly galvanize, but to do what? They know nothing about it: the what, where, or when. They have no sources in Al Qaeda, and it's impossible to plant someone. Or is it?

The Afghan is Izmat Khan, a five-year prisoner of Guantanamo Bay and a former senior commander of the Taliban. The Afghan is also Colonel Mike Martin, a 25-year-old veteran of war zones around the world; a dark, lean man born and raised in Iraq. In an attempt to stave off disaster, the intelligence agencies will try to do what no one has ever done before, pass off a Westerner as an Arab among Arabs, and pass off Martin as the trusted Khan.

It will require extraordinary preparation, and then extraordinary luck, for nothing can truly prepare Martin for the dark and shifting world into which he is about to enter. Or for the terrible things he will find there.

Filled with remarkable detail and compulsive drama, The Afghan is further proof that Forsyth is truly master of suspense.

©2006 Frederick Forsyth (P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Recorded Books, LLC. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A cut above...other post-9/11 spy thrillers." (Publishers Weekly)
"When it comes to espionage, international intrigue, and suspense, Frederick Forsyth is a master." (The Washington Post)

Hard to follow --- many parts were TEDIOUS!

Mr. Forsyth is usually a very good listen. However there were many parts of the book that just seemed to cause me to drift off to other thoughts. Then I would have to backup and listen to the same part over again.

The narrator had something to do with tediousness of the story --- he seemed to "plod" along with little enthusiasm.

Nice Thriller

The Afghan is not Forsyth's best novel, but it is far better than any political thriller since the Cold War. The narration is fine and this is an overall good listen. More than once, I remained in my parked car until a convenient break in the action. If there is a better measure for an audiobook than that, I'd like to hear of it.

Review of The Afghan

Terrific book and great research

Absolutely Horrendous

This is the worst audio book I have ever listened to. The story is boring and the reader is atrocious. The reader makes an unbearable story TOTALLY unbearable - what a monotone and lackluster reading! I feel robbed on this one!

Absolutely Horrendous

This is the worst audio book I have ever listened to. The story is boring and the reader is atrocious. The reader makes an unbearable story TOTALLY unbearable - what a monotone and lackluster reading! I feel robbed on this one!

So-So

In doing his research, the author found some interesting facts, and felt compelled to use each and every one of them in the novel. This made some subplots quite contrived, and seemingly unnecessary to move the story forward. The narrator was good, and did his best to keep a somewhat mundane storyline interesting. Somewhat entertaining, but not really worth the listen.

Big Disappointment

I agree with everything Reviewer Daniel wrote. It’s just not good...

A Real Yawner

Forsyth May have been the master of suspense 50 years ago, but he can’t hold a candle to today’s masters. There was very little suspense and essentially no action. The book does provide what appears to be a good detailed history of the politics of Afghanistan (though I’m no expert), but then this is not sold as a history book.

More of a history or geography book

Way too much of the book is a narrative written in past tense, which makes the action seem boring and the lead character seem like a robot. It is great if you want to learn about the history of Middle East tensions in a fiction book, but it is not a thriller/suspense book.

Boring and disappointing

I gave this book only one star because it is a very predictable, drawn out story with no dialogue to speak of. The plot centers on the mystery cargo of the terrorist vessel and the behind the scenes plotting of Al Quaeda, but after listening for a few hours you get tired of waiting for the climax--which is anything but exciting. No vintage Forsythe here, just a dreadfully dull story that could have been been developed in a fraction of the time required to finish the book. Buyer beware!