Product Description Based on 30 years of research and analysis, this definitive book is a profound, multi-layered, and historical analysis of the nature and role of the Pakistan army in the country's polity as well as its turbulent relationship with the United States. Shuja Nawaz examines the army and Pakistan in both peace and war. Using many hitherto unpublished materials from the archives of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army, as well as interviews with key military and political figures in Pakistan and the United States, he sheds light not only on the Pakistan Army and its US connections but also on Pakistan as a key Muslim country in one of the world's toughest neighborhoods. In doing so, he lays bare key facts about Pakistan's numerous wars with India and its many rounds of political musical chairs, as well as the Kargil conflict of 1999. He then draws lessons from this history that may help Pakistan end its wars within and create a stabler political entity.
Customer Reviews: Crossed SwordsJune 29, 2009 C. M. Wood(Cumming, GA USA) 6 out of 7 found this review helpful
This book is not suitable for light reading due to the amount of detail, but it is an excellent reference. I have found that when the name of a politician or military leader appears in the papers I can look him up in this book and get a rough bio. It is a thorough Who's Who of Pakistan since its inception.
An Excellent Book About PakistanFebruary 12, 2009 Ravindra A. Morey(San Antonio, TX USA) 3 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book presets an excellent review of the role of the Pakistan Army in pakistani society from it's creation sixty years ago to the present.
May add some important pieces to the jigsaw puzzleAugust 12, 2008 Sam Finkelman(Brooklyn, NY USA) 7 out of 21 found this review helpful
I just heard part of an interview with the author on NPR (I think) The author did research for many years. His brother, who was in the army, and died mysteriously in January 1993 when he was army chief, encouraged him very much in this research and paid for most of the books that he read on this subject. In addition, the author also had access to archives and conducted numerous interviews.
I am not sure how well he understands the subject. Right now, he seems to want to limit the responsibility of the ISI for the attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul - most likely that was merely the tip of the iceberg and it is merely the acknowledged proof that is limited.
Still anything like this should fill in a lot of the pieces of the puzzle, and the history of Pakistan since 1947 really is a riddle wrapped in amystery inside an enigma.
If the author really knew everything he would also know or strongly suspect how exactly his brother died. It probably was murder. Numerous diffeernt stories were told to his family giving all kinds of different motives..This story is recounted in detail in the book.
Still, this *must* contain lots of details even if he didn't get to the full truth. It must, of course, be read with a warning - almost anything here might turn out to be wrong because maybe it is part of some coverup of something that took place years ago, but it may be a better first read than any other thing.
Essential reading in understanding PakistanAugust 11, 2008 Charles P. Oconnor(Washington DC) 11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Anyone with a true desire to understand our essential, yet phlegmatic, ally in the Mideast should take the time to read and reflect on this comprehensive history of the complicated relationship between the Pakistan Army and the governments of Pakistan and the US. It is a true insiders view carefully researched and presented. It is not light reading but important in it's insights as we continue to define the US role in this area of the world. I wish it had been available to our leaders in 2002.
