Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Noon
Santa Rosa Country Club
Register HERE
Afghanistan:
A Land Unconquered,
A Crossroads
of War and Conflict
with Toby Marion
teacher and author of
"Afghanistan: Crossroads and Kingdoms:
My 1970s Peace Corps Service
and Recent Afghan History"
Toby Marion's sponsor is Gabriel Campbell,
WACSC Program Committee
About the Program
Afghanistan was the scene of America's longest war which ended in defeat with the badly executed withdrawal in 2021. It was also where the USSR suffered defeat in 1989. How did these seismic events fit into the larger framework of this ancient nation? What is its broader history that we must know, and America’s current stance regarding it? Then there's the ruling Taliban -- are they irrevocably entrenched?
Author Toby Marion's book, “Afghanistan: Crossroads and Kingdoms,” is both a personal memoir and a meticulously researched report on Afghanistan's history and travails. He'll bring us the challenges, joys and discoveries of working as a Peace Corps volunteer in an ancient culture dominated by conservative Sunni Islam -- until internal conflict changed everything. In his program, Toby will speak to what he saw, and the subsequent violent events, and offer a clear-eyed look forward to how the future might treat the Afghans.
And, a special notice: Toby will bring copies of his book, so those of us who want to can buy a signed copies.
| Date: |
Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| Time: |
12:00 Noon |
| Venue: |
Santa Rosa Country Club
333 Country Club Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95401 |
| Menu: |
Meat and Vegetarian Options Available on the Buffet Table.
|
| Cost: |
$45 for Members
Bring up to 2 guests at the member price.
$60 for Non-Members |
| Health Note: |
We suggest that everyone
be vaccinated and wear a mask
|
Make Your Reservation Now!
The Deadline is October 30th
About the Author
Toby Marion grew up in Whittier, California and Mamaroneck, New York. He has degrees from Cornell and MIT and a graduate diploma from Australia’s Sydney University. Serving in Afghanistan as a Peace Corps Volunteer, he trained high school science teachers for two school years, followed by three semesters teaching at Kabul University.
Subsequently, he spent a quarter century in the international oil business in New York, Bahrain, Australia, Dallas, and elsewhere. Retiring in 1999, he stayed abroad as a consultant before starting a wine distributorship to China and Hong Kong.
He then realized that he was in a unique position to view Afghanistan through a lens both personal and historic. His resulting book chronicles fifty years of war and struggle triggered by Prince Daoud overthrowing his cousin, King Zaher, putting the country on a violent path.
Toby and his wife of 48 years, Eileen, have two children and four grandchildren and live in Tiburon.
We are pleased to bring you a program of this relevance and quality.
Reserve now!
