Title: Afghan Boomerang
Author: Oleg Novinkov
Publisher: CreateSpace
ASBN: 9781439274514
Pages: 446, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: History/Non-Fiction
Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
We all know a boomerang is a stick that when thrown, comes back to the thrower. Interestingly, the word isn’t English, it’s derived from the Australian Aboriginals which used the stick primarily for hunting, but has assimilated its use in English as well as Russian. The other definition of boomerang means “backfire.” Afghan Boomerang, the title of Oleg Novinkov’s non-fiction book dealing with the parallels between the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan and what is now being witnessed by the USA’s involvement is exactly that; an in depth analysis of the backfiring of events, circumstances and lessons previously learned by the Soviets. If there is any truth to the saying, “History repeats itself,” then Oleg Novinkov is not at all a soothsayer, but a scientifically minded articulator, proving the truth by Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum – which was to be demonstrated).A fascinating individual, Dr. Oleg Novinkov served for just less than two years as a Soviet Military medical officer stationed in Afghanistan back in the 1980’s. He has since gone on to many achievements within the Soviet and NASA space programs, martial arts, medical advances, and international business. Now living in the USA, he returned some 30 years after first being stationed in Afghanistan whereas his thoughts are given the insight from his own experiences; his first-hand observations, known factual statements and uncanny realizations which only his unique perspective can impart and inform those of us poised outside of these borders.
Fact filled and impeccably written, Dr. Novinkov writes in a candid, frank and incredibly detailed fashion, assimilating a chronicle of the events over the past decades into a densely informative 429 page book. Highlighted with dozens of captioned photographs, prefaced with accolades from high ranking Soviet military officials, appendixes with factual summaries of deaths and wounded, this book is an absorbing read. Written from a posture of a philanthropic humanitarian, Dr. Oleg Novinkov doesn’t harp on the political differences of the cultures as being good or bad, right or wrong, but offers a high-level view only capable of being perceived from someone with such a unique heritage. He breaks down to the simplest of reasons why things are the way they are, and why in many cases they cannot change.
Being published at a time of such historical importance, now with the US troops being withdrawn in the region, this book is worthy of being a bit too late for giving lawmakers advice, however nonetheless important for its historical perspective. I highly recommend this to a broad audience of readers, young adults, students, military personnel, government officials, all USA citizens and those that wish to be informed around the world. It doesn’t get more interesting to hear the events of history written by someone that has lived through the battles, breathed the dust, seen the ramifications of war, and has grown to know the human side of people’s cultural differences.
