Description
Temporarily out of stock
Title: Ballots, Bullets & Kabulshit: An Afghan Election: Penguin Specials
Author: RALPH TOBY
Format: PAPERBACK
Publication date: 20/11/2013
Imprint: PENGUIN
Price: $10.00
Publishing status: Active
Toby Ralph, described as one of the ‘most powerful spinners and advisers in Australia’, joined a UN team to assist with preparations for Afghanistan’s 2009 presidential elections. Ballots, Bullets and Kabulshit offers a rare glimpse into the chaos and danger of attempting to deliver democracy in a war zone.
With the wry humour of a seasoned politico (or someone trying to distract themselves from the very real dangers of their situation), Ralph provides snapshots of life in Kabul, a primer in the political shambles of a failing state, and the reflections of a non-combatant working in a war zone in a suit and tie. He is whisked between meetings in armoured cars, tries to avoid sitting on the AK-47 down the back of the couch at his lodgings, dines with colleagues in sandbagged candlelit restaurants, and attempts to convince the Electoral Commission chairman – and friend of President Hamid Karzai – that having an election is a good idea.
That the poll ended in farce, with Karzai’s reinstatement by default, means the UN will be sending another group of advisors when next an election is reluctantly called.
‘Ralph has a wonderful turn of phrase, a wry eye, a lightness of touch, and a wicked sense of the absurd.’ On Line Opinion
ISBN: 9780143570585