'Aksandar' Setting Is Pre-War Afghanistan; Links 1979 Soviet War to Current Political Conditions
THE VILLAGES, Fla., Oct. 26, 2009 — Experience an Afghanistan the western world knows little about, a country on the brink of a turbulent nine-year Soviet-Afghan War. Judith Montgomery's novel "Aksandar" (published by AuthorHouse) sheds light on a historic conflict whose elements mirror Afghanistan's current situation and gives color to the country's little-known background.
It's 1979, six months before the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. The harsh and unforgiving desert country is left to fend on its own against a Russian regime, leaving it practically shattered. Cities and remote villages are being ravaged by a Russian political machine in the first Marxist government Afghanistan has ever seen, religious conservatives are assaulted, citizens are arrested by the secret police and fear is rampant in the bazaars.
Charismatic Aziz Rashani has watched the country he loves struggle for freedom from the domination of a Marxist puppet regime and revert to utter chaos. In a bold decision to bring change to a country in dire need of hope, Aziz thrusts himself and his family into the midst of the conflict — resulting in imminent danger and questionable situations that threaten his own values. Soon he finds himself tangled in a subversive group's planned coup and must avoid secret police and Russian informants in order to succeed. Meanwhile, Aziz becomes involved in a controversial love affair with an American woman that adds to an already dangerous set of plans. Tradition is in direct conflict with love and personal desires in this tragic land, but Aziz knows that failure is not an option. He continues his quest for truth and justice, all the while battling the odds with the Afghan spirit of courage, sense of humor and respect for honor that persuades him hope is never futile.
Spontaneous rioting in the Char Chata bazaar touched off angry demonstrations all over the city. Near Al-an, a protest by four brothers of a man who was beaten to death for a curfew violation turned into a brawl that expanded in unleashed rage. Rocks and broken bottles were used as weapons by people who shouted to be heard above the sound of smashing glass. Soldiers used tear gas to break up the mob…Vibrations from the exploding truck rocked Al-an; coffee from Aziz's mug sloshed on the papers spread out in front of him. "What the hell was that?" he said.
Aksandar is a gripping story of politics, intrigue, murder, love, deception and desperation in a war-torn country.
Judith Montgomery grew up in a small city in western New York, collecting maps of the world and dreaming of faraway countries. After graduating from a Boston college and spending time with Hindu teachers from India, she began traveling the world. Montgomery's personal spiritual quest has continued since with 3-4 international trips a year, and she claims the people of rural, third-world villages have been her most influential teachers. She particularly enjoys "off the radar" locations such as the backcountry of Mongolia and Afghanistan, the steppe countries of Central Asia, and rural India. Montgomery now lives in The Villages in central Florida near her sister and elderly father, and designs tile floors in her spare time. Learn more at
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