My review of Ian Talbot's book, in The Book Review, Vol. XXXVII, No. 10, October 2013, pp. 51-52.
To read the complete review click here
As a new civilian government finds its
feet following the historic transition of democratic power in Pakistan,
it is important to carry out a holistic analysis of the multiple crises
plaguing Pakistan. These range from a troubling internal security
situation with rampant terrorist attacks to a crisis of governance to a
slowing economy complicated by an energy crisis. In recent years, given
the troubles plaguing Pakistan several scholars have outlined a
pessimistic future for Pakistan that has ranged from implosion of the
country, to its breaking up or ‘Lebanonisation’ to carving of an Islamic
Emirate from within Pakistan’s territory. What makes Ian Talbot’s book a
great read is the fact that it chronologically and in great detail
analyses the historical developments in Pakistan and highlights the
turning points—beginning with the failure of the first democratic
experiment in 1958—which have led Pakistan down the path it currently
finds itself in. The strength and quality of Talbot’s scholarship comes
across given the fact that he engages with the spectrum of available
scholarship on every issue whether it is the link between madrassa
education and militancy or poor governance to uneven economic
development. This coupled with Talbot’s assessment of the strength and
weaknesses of the reading of the issue by various scholars provides the
reader with a well rounded understanding.
To read the complete review click here
To read the complete review click here
To read the complete review click here
0 comments:
Post a Comment