The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Divided Nation

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Written in the aftermath of Walsh’s abrupt deportation, The Nine Lives of Pakistan concludes with an astonishing encounter with that agent, and his revelations about Pakistan’s powerful security state.

Walsh is an Irish citizen, thoroughly European, and shares the disdain many Europeans express for US foreign policy, especially in the South Asian region.The Nine Lives of Pakistan: Dispatches from a Divided Nation is Declan Walsh’s reflection and exploration of the ‘complex and interesting country’ of Pakistan (pg 7). Remarkables REMARKABLES Intriguing, stunning, or otherwise remarkable books These include fine editions, foreign publications that are exceptional for their interest or production, special editions and some first-rate books from very small publishers. Interestingly, Walsh notes Jahangir told him how “you can’t be a self-respecting citizen in this country if you don’t go to jail” (p109) which underlines the importance of human rights developments not only in Pakistan but worldwide too. Walsh points out that the popular picture in the West is that Pakistan is a drab and boring place, filled with dour religious fanatics and closed minds. A wonderful book that sets a new benchmark for non-fiction about the complex palace of mirrors that is Pakistan Walsh has a rapier wit, a talent for skilfully sketched pen portraits and a sharp eye for tragedy, paradox and absurdity.

The reader will learn basic facts about Pakistan as well as the challenges facing the contemporary Pakistani state and will be conversant with events covered only marginally in American media. Jinnah’s dream for the “land of the pure” has been sacrificed to the two beasts of violent religious extremism and militarism. The writing style is fluid and you can read through the entire book in one shot without not being impressed on the detials and content. The terrifying wave of Islamist militancy — suicide bombings and many thousands of deaths — that threatened to rip Pakistan apart for about a decade following the Red Mosque siege in Islamabad in 2007 has thankfully receded.Very good non fiction work, especially for readers who are eager to know about multiple variables prevailing in this diversified region.

Tens of millions of people have voted, forming impatient lines or elbowing their way into polling stations across this vast country, from the twinkling, snow-dusted Himalayas to muggy villages on the Arabian Sea. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Even a reader who doesn’t follow Pakistani politics can clearly identify the instability resulting from previous political decisions.Sadly, I must warn the reader to be aware that there are typos and missing words in several locations in the book and that in some cases, these render sentences difficult to understand if not unintelligible.