Campaign- The Panjshir Valley 1980-86

Between 1980 and 1986, the Soviet Army and its Afghan allies battered away at the stronghold of rebel commander Ahmad Shah Massoud in the Panjshir Valley of northwest Afghanistan. This brutal duel become a microcosm of the larger Soviet effort to subdue Afghanistan and impose its preferred governance. In the end, a clever and brave guerilla leader outlasted the Soviet empire. Author Mark Galeotti has the story in this new Osprey Campaign series book. The author focusses on how sheer firepower often got lost in the vastness of Afghanistan when using in pursuit of illusive guerillas. His narrative is remarkably factual and fair to both sides, although the lessons learned are not limited to these combatants. The text includes a nice selection of period photographs and some excellent modern battle diagrams and illustrations. Well recommended to students of the conflict.