Books to read on Independence Day
This special post includes my recommendations on books that you should pick up to learn about Pakistan's independence and the country's history.
Happy Independence Day to all the Pakistanis reading this. This post is a special August 14 read where I wanted to share some books that have informed my own understanding of Pakistan and its history.
Jinnah of Pakistan by Stanley Wolpert
This is the best biography of Jinnah that one can read. Wolpert was an academic and a South Asia expert who has written several books on the region. He died earlier this year and this book, first published in 1982, remains the best book one can read about Pakistan’s founding father.
The Sole Spokesman: Jinnah, the Muslim League, and the Demand for Pakistan by Ayesha Jalal
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to know how Jinnah single-handedly created Pakistan. It is a dramatic account of his strategy, the issues he faced in trying to get India’s Muslims to support him, and his routine conflicts with the Congress party.
Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire by Alex Von Tunzelmann
This is a fascinating account about how four men - Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mohandas Gandhi, and Louis Mountbatten - and their relationships shaped the subcontinent and paved the way for partition. It is an absolutely delightful read that shows how individuals can and often do shape the destinies of tens of millions of people.
Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding by Husain Haqqani
Husain Haqqani’s scholarly work on U.S.-Pakistan relations is unparalleled. To understand Pakistan, one has to understand its love-hate relationship with the United States, and Haqqani has done a masterful job in putting together almost 70 years’ of diplomatic history in an accessible and readable format.
From Kargil to the Coup: Events that shook Pakistan by Nasim Zehra
To understand Pakistan today, we must start by first understanding Kargil. Nasim Zehra’s book on Kargil and Musharraf’s coup is perhaps the only accessible book on the subject. Kargil continues to impact Pakistan-India relations, making this book a must-read for South Asia watchers.
Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within
And finally, you cannot understand Pakistan without understanding its military establishment and internal conflicts. Shuja Nawaz’s book dives deep into these issues, and while a lot has happened since the book was published in 2008, it continues to remain highly relevant.
If you have read this book, I highly recommend that you pick up The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood.
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Fantastic suggestions. Might I suggest, “Pakistan - A Hard Country by Anatol Lieven” & “The Army and Democracy: Military Politics In Pakistan by Aqil Shah”