Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military Paperback – 1 Jun. 2005

This book is quite detailed. If you are unfamiliar with the history of the British Raj and the post-Colonial period, perhaps this book is not easy to digest. I have read a lot about India and Pakistan already, and more recently about the creation of Bangladesh. When Osama Bin Laden was found in Pakistan, I felt I had to get a better grip on Pakistan as a country. Pakistan is unique in the sheer scare of its support for radical Islamic terrorism, which has killed far more Westerners than any terror group funded by Iran and yet, it is a remarkable fact that the Western media never talks about Pakistan much while devoting virtually limitless bandwidth on Iran.To understand why Pakistan funds terrorism and why this happens regardless of which leader and which general is in charge, you really have to read this book which lays out what is meant by the "ideology of Pakistan" (built largely on visceral, almost Nazi like hatred of Hindus and unbelievers, and hatred of India). In this sense Pakistan is unique as a country because it is almost as though the foundation of the country is built on a negative - being NOT something as opposed to positively being something. Haqqani explains this lucidly and eloquently as to how this ideology is the real defining characteristic of Pakistan and why the establishment of Pakistan does the vile things that it does. And furthermore, how the United States has either knowingly or unwittingly been an accomplice.Haqqani deserves praise most of all because of his courage. His position as a Pakistani Ambassador to the United States put him in a very unique position inside the Pakistani establishment - and we would never learn so much about the country were it not for his courage. For his courage alone, he should be treated as a treasure. I would even say that all diplomats and politicians that have dealings with Pakistan should read this book. The current Trump Administration should read this book, all other books by him and watch all his interviews on You Tube. One cannot do business with any country without knowing it well.I was tempted to give this book four stars instead of five because I do have some reservations. This is in two crucial aspects. Haqqani, for obvious reasons given when this book was written, doesn't delve much into the corruption of either the politicians or the Pakistani military. Both are exceedingly corrupt and for the military especially, the promotion of Islamist ideology is a very convenient way to divert attention from its own corruption. There are well known former Generals that are known to have amassed hundreds of millions, even billions, through cronyism and corruption. And not only this, there are some other books that tell us how the military has found very cunning ways of monopolising more than 50 per cent of the nation's wealth. The second aspect is Haqqani's hopefulness. Here I have to disagree with the author. I think Pakistan's future looks grim. One has to accept facts and not try to engage in superficial optimism. Pakistan is actually getting worse and sinking deeper into the mire. The fundamentalists have become more rabid and more forceful, though as Haqqani rightly notes, they cannot as yet win more than 11 per cent of the vote. But it is a work in progress.In conclusion, five stars for content and sheer courage.

Another Hussain Haqqani must read book. The condition of the book is good considering it is preloved.

I have heard Hussian Haqqani talks and interviews. He is a brillian intellectual. Based on that I had very high expectations from this book. But I was surprised to see that this book is comprised mostly of references, facts, quotes etc etc. This is fine but then one expects strong personal analysis and opinions from a man like Hussian Haqqani. Maybe because this book was written 7-8 years back, his opinions were not as firm then as they are now. Somehow I found something missing in the book. In the end I wasn't able to complete the book, which says a lot about how I lost interest. Overall, I felt it is more of a chronicle of events rather than a good analysis of the subject and and view of the solutions. All in all, a letdown.

If one want to know in depth the contradiction that is Pakistan, this is the book one must read. The author is both an insider as well as an outsider, thus making him a neutral observer. It is a very balanced book.

Historical facts,Worth Reading.

fabulous story touched my heart soooo good it gave me a tear to my eye =)& i was so amazed that even my dad didnt know that stuff and he is a true pakistani really gooodabsolutley impressed

The book has lines and writings on various pages

Mostly, its an opinion of author and have some elements of truth, especially about politics and military. But most of the stuff is just crap.