Afghanistan - Land of the High Flags

From 1950 to 54 (approx) Rosanne Klass and her husband were living in Kabul, where she was a school teacher (eventually). The position she travelled there for was withdrawn due to the objection of the headmaster of the school, who amusingly, had no issue working with a foreigner, but would not have a woman on the staff. It took her some time to find a position teaching English at Darul Mo'Allamein but before she did, Klass was able to spend some time in Kabul, and she describes the city well, the people she deals with, and the interactions she has. She also describes in chapters her household, the class system (more accurately ‘people at different levels').

The Ministry of Education had some issues with her working at Darul Mo'Allamein, which was a school known for disciplinary problems, but the Afghan culture of respect, and a headmaster who was committed to making the position work well ensured a good outcome.

So the book charts out all the successes of Klass's time in Kabul, some time in Peshawar (Pakistan) before and on a trip during, some touristy visits Klass and her husband make in Afghanistan (including Bamiyan, visiting the Buddhas since destroyed by the Taliban), a buzkashi game (Afghanistan's national game, in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal). About the only thing we don't hear about is Klass's husband, and what he does.

It was an interesting snapshot of Afghanistan, and it read well. Perhaps the main difference from other, similar books is they tend to be by British authors, rather than Americans. The only negative thing to say is Klass labours the point in her book that many of those she interacts with ask her if she will return, or more accurately tell her they don't believe she will return. This included her house staff and the boys in the school. She promises that she will return, and of course does not in the 10 years between leaving and publishing this book. It is always awkward to answer the ‘will you come back' question, but promising you will is never the right way when you can't commit.

Irrespective, Klass did maintain an ongoing relation ship with Afghanistan, becoming director of the Afghanistan Information Center at Freedom House, a human rights watchdog group in New York, and a founder of the Afghanistan Relief Committee, formed after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

3.5 stars, rounded down.

Below is an article published on her passing away in 2015.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/world/asia/rosanne-klass-advocate-of-the-afghan-people-dies-at-86.html