Fredrik Barth's Political Leadership Among Swat Pathans is one of the most beautiful ethnographies I have read. He presents us a unique and interesting case example about the ways in which 'khans' of the Pakhtoun lineage play(ed) their roles as the leaders in the Swat valley (now in Pakistan). Barth carefully shows how do the leaders and their subjects participate in the defence of their resources (the land). Unlike the prevalent anthropological tradition of the time, Barth has emphasized the consequences of individual decisions for the larger social structure of the Usufzai Pathans. He touches every aspect of the Pathan society -from family structure to the social history -while explaining the contexts in which power is excercised by some leaders through both coercion and consensus.
But it is important to note that Barth focuses more on description rather than art of writing. The description of so many interesting events and incidents are sometimes bogged down by too much 'facts' and details. On the whole, the book is a landmark in the history of social anthropology.

its a very great pleasure to be the first one to review this book. I know people do not know much about Idnonesia. People only know the bad side of indonesia. I'm an indonesian myself and this book really potraits the good side that everyone should also know about indonesia.

As is the custom of Barth, this book is informative but incredibly boring. The story of the Basseri is detailed and interesting but Barth has a style all his own and to say the least it is not engaging.