I was surprised by the level of sophistication of the Special Operation forces. Among them were anthropologists and PhD candidates. I felt because I understand the patterns of nineteenth-century jihad in West Africa that I was definitely going to be… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
Speculation is a fool's game, but I've seen many political projections that look like the Taliban could hold most of the country, and possibly… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
If we think about folk forms, they belong to disenfranchised people, people who have not been allowed access to the poetry of literature or the leisure time that comes with the pursuit of poetry. Instead, this is ceremony. This is a highly charged way to create a sacred space that isn't necessarily about God, but is about human experience at… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share
I can't imagine how Afghanistan's fall isn't going to be ten times faster than Iraq's. — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
The most dangerous thing I've ever encountered was a run-in with Boko Haram around 2007 in a small town in Nigeria. I got caught along with the photographer I was working with, the same one I worked with on the Afghanistan book, Seamus Murphy. We were caught in an attack by a mob after Friday prayers. And the level of… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share
Poetry is a popular genre in Afghanistan. If you turned on the radio, there would be a poetry program that would be as popular… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
We know Jesus taught that if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to the left. We know that Mohammed was sacked from… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
Seeing the Afghan women in their burqas, it's easy to say, "Well, they're not as fully aware as I am, so why do I… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
One of the things about landays is that they thrive in a modern context. Early on I went to this incredible Pashtun novelist, Mustafa Salik, who is a bestselling novelist in Afghanistan and works for the BBC in Pashto. With the question of the sanctity of the poems in mind, I asked him, "Aren't you worried? They've been posted on… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share
Poetry isn't as relevant in the Western world as it is in Afghanistan. And not many people make time for something that doesn't feel… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
In most of the world, poetry has such a different reputation than it does in Western culture. Poetry is a popular genre in Afghanistan. If you turned on the radio, there would be a poetry program that would be as popular as The Real Housewives. People aren't listening to poetry as if they're taking their vitamins. Instead, it's a popular… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share
We know what war means, and we know what poverty means. We need to develop a better model for reaching out to the world… — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
I think most good poetry is about suffering; I think that's what underlies the love in these landays pieces - suffering and longing. — Eliza Griswold Copy Share Image
