Based on the author's personal experiences and observations during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the Cold War era, this historical novel is a fascinating and intellectually stimulating read. It is a vivid depiction of how Afghans struggled, sacrificed, and survived through a perilous time of war and political turmoil. --Kabul, Afghanistan - On a winter night in 1980, intelligence officers of the Marxist regime raid Dr. Sharif's house and arrest him. They accuse Sharif of having ties with the anti-government forces (the mujahidin). After his arrest, his fourteen-year-old son, Masih...