While browsing for works about desert travel, I found this article about travel writing in Afghanistan: "Destination: Afghanistan," Salon, 24 August 2006. It was an interesting article, in large part because it is one of those places on Earth that I do not -- and likely will never -- remotely understand, nor will I ever likely visit.

The following is a list of works mentioned in the article:

• Rory Stewart, The Places in Between (2002)
• Peter Levi, The Light Garden of the Angel King (1972)
• David Chaffetz, A Journey Through Afghanistan: A Memorial (1981)
• Nancy Hatch Dupree, An Historical Guide to Afghanistan (1970)
• Amin Saikal, Modern Afghanistan: A History of Struggle and Survival (2006)
• James Michener, Caravans: A Novel of Afghanistan (1963)

Also, the following was suggested in the comments added to the article:

• Peregrine Hodson, Under a Sickle Moon: A Journey Through Afghanistan (2002)