Book Review: Spirits Rebellious by Kahlil Gibran

I read Khalil Gibran for the first time in my first year of university. Originally written in Arabic Spirits Rebellious caused great agitation and trouble after its publication. It was burnt by both the Church and the angered state officials as it was considered a threat to state stability. Back then Lebanon was under brutal Turkish rule. Gibran rose against the religious and political injustice during that time. Specifically the story of...

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Book Review: Contemporary Issues in Pakistan Studies by Saeed Shafqat

This particular book by Dr. Saeed Shafqat is a compilation of different articles. In every article a separate theme has been addressed. Writers who contribute to this book analyze the issues confronting Pakistan. These writers are from different academic backgrounds who analyze with great detail. Moreover this document is an excellent example of inter disciplinary work with respect to Pakistan Studies.  A total of thirteen articles have...

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Book Review: The China-Pakistan Axis Asia's New Geopolitics by Andrew Small

Andrew Small has given an impressive account of friendship of India’s two most powerful neighbors. China and Pakistan known as all-weather friends but over the years this relation has also not escaped trouble.  Based on eight chapters this book narrates the historical background of China Pakistan relations.  Moreover issues related to nuclear development and cooperation between China and Pakistan is addressed in great detail. A comprehensive study...

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Book Review: World Famous Dictators by Ian Schott

World Famous Dictators by Ian Schott is a short book regarding ten ruthless autocratic rulers. The countries which they ruled include Haiti, Ancient Rome, Uganda, Mongolia, Rumania, Russia, Central African Republic, Germany and Iraq. Early childhood, rise to power and the brutal methods of coercion of the dictators are elaborated. Anecdotes are mentioned which reflect their brutal and ruthless commonalities. Collectively these dictators killed...

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Book Review: Walking with the Comrades by Arundhati Roy

This work by Arundhati Roy draws serious attention on the ongoing rebel movement in India. Maoist guerillas are waging war against the brutal and suppressive Indian government which is adamant on furthering the interests of multi-million dollar corporations. Roy writes about the time she spent with the guerillas on the frontline fighting the government soldiers. She writes briefly about the history of the Naxalites, different personalities of...

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Book Review: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Into the wild is based on Christopher Johnson McCandless’s real story. After completing his university degree he decided to live in the wild. He gave $25,000 of his savings to a charity. In April 1992 he hitchhiked to Alaska and moved north of Mt. Kinley. During this journey he had to abandon his car, burn his wallet cash and experience a new way of living. He chose this life. Many writers/commentators believe McCandless to be mentally unstable...

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Book Review: The Lighter Side of the Power Game by Mohammad Asghar Khan

This book written by Mohammad Asghar Khan is about his life experiences. These experiences are regarding the lighter side of the power game in his words. The author believes that it would certainly provide lessons for those aspiring to positions of authority. Based on twenty four small chapters, this book brings out experiences of Khan in PAF and his post retirement life in politics. The challenges he faced as a politician are also shared...

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Book Review: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

I read The Art of War in 2012. Back then I could not grasp various facets of this classic text. Sun Tzu a Chinese warrior philosopher compiled this amazing book 2000 years ago. The book revolves around strategy and conflict management. To date the importance of this book has not diminished. From interpersonal to international level Sun Tzu talks about victory without combat. This according to him is only possible through proper understanding...

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Book Review: Imperial Gazetteer Provincial Series Kashmir and Jammu by Sir Walter Lawrence

The articles in this volume are written by Sir Walter Lawrence, Bart., G.C.I.E. Physical environment, history, archaeology, population, agriculture, forests, minerals, arts, commerce, political relations, administration, education and means of communication are discussed in great detail with relevant statistical data. Back then covering long distances was a troublesome task for any traveller. The distance from Gilgit to Srinagar was 228...

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Book Review: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

This famous bestselling book of the Lebanese American writer Kahlil Gibran is written about a prophet who waits to board a homebound ship.There he addresses his followers. His teachings consists of 26 prose poetry essays on themes which include children, work, clothes, crime, punishment, reason, passion, pain, self-knowledge, friendship, time, religion and death. The prophet addresses his followers on all these significant subjects in life. To...

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Book Review: Pakistan- A Personal History by Imran Khan

This very book written by Imran Khan is a mix of Pakistan’s history and his own autobiography. Khan takes a start from his childhood at Zaman Park. Moving on he covers his days at Oxford, his cricket life, establishment of Shaukat Khanum hospital and his entry into politics. The author relates about his close connection with his mother. Her practice of Islam had strong Sufi influences which later in life was adopted by Imran. Furthermore...

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Book Review: Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran

I read this book in late 2012 or early 2013 at Ewing Hall. I borrowed it from a friend. Sand and Foam is one the books of Gibran written about impulse of man’s heart and mind. The themes which he addresses in the book include travel, nirvana, faith, secrecy, traits of humans, children, knowledge, youth, dissent, greed and indifference. At one point he says: “If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing...

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Book Review: My Khyber Marriage by Morag Murray Abdullah

My Khyber Marriage brings out the experience of a Scotswoman who marries a pathan chieftain’s son. Morag meets Abdullah in Britain. Before marrying him she converts to Islam. Abdullah is the son of a tribal chieftain on the Indian Frontier.  The first chapter starts with the very first meeting of Morag and Abdullah. Initially Morag’s father is apprehensive about her marriage to an easterner, but later he agrees to the proposal. Despite...

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Book Review: National Liberation War in Vietnam by General Von Nguyen Giap

General Giap’s book National Liberation War in Vietnam covers the struggle of the Vietnamese people against the ruthless imperialist forces. Strategy and tactics of guerilla warfare in Vietnam are included. The author relates the resistance in Vietnam back to 11th century, when the fight was against the Chinese Sung army. Furthermore the resisting the Mongol attack of 13th century and the Ming invasion of 15th century have also been included....

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Book Review: A Short History of China by Gordon Kerr

This amazing book provides a comprehensive introduction to more than 4000 years of Chinese history. For thousands of years the Chinese thought of their land as the very center of civilization. Compass and gun powder are definitely Chinese inventions. Even the wheel barrow did not come to use in Europe until the 12th century, but the Chinese were already using one- wheeled carts from the second century. The world’s first government issued paper...

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Book Review: A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong

A Short History of Myth starts with an introductory chapter on addressing the question of what is a myth. The Paleolithic period, Neolithic period, the early civilizations, the axial age, post-axial age and the period of great western transformation are included in the book. According to the author myth is about the unknown. Myth is true only because it is effective, not because it provides factual information. In history there were various...

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Book Review: God A Human History by Reza Aslan

Reza Aslan’s book gives a detailed chronological account of the concept of God perceived by human beings during the different phases of their existence on the planet. The book is divided into three parts. The Embodied Soul, The Humanized God and What is God. The writer takes a start from the Paleolithic time period. The concept of Shamans and their transcendental role is briefly discussed. Shamans were supposed to have one foot in this world...

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Book Review: Tribes of the Hindoo Koosh by John Biddulph

Tribes of the Hindoo Koosh written by British colonial officer John Biddulph, spans over fourteen chapters which include themes related to topography, habits, customs, festivals, history, ruling families of the region and local languages. It can be considered as an account of Biddulph’s travel to the regions which we now know as Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Kohistan and Xinjiang. The writer makes frequent mention of the Chinese traveller named...

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Book Review: Mr and Mrs Jinnah The Marriage that shook India by Sheela Reddy

Muhammad Ali Jinnah is a Khoja Ismaili, born to Jinnah Poonja and Mithi Bai. In school Jinnah faces difficulty in his studies.  He leaves school to join his father’s business. After some time he realizes that his job is a monotonous one. With his father’s sanction Jinnah travels to England, to work in a company owned by his father’s acquaintance. There after some time Jinnah leaves the job, instead he chooses to study law. Before leaving...

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Book Review: The Bride by Bapsi Sidhwa

Qasim, a tribesman from the mountains, decides to live in Pakistan when the sub-continent takes new contours in 1947’s partition. On his journey to Lahore he takes an orphan girl, named Zaitoon, for his daughter. Qasim and Zaitoon start living with Nikka pehlwan’s family in Lahore. Nikka initiates his business by borrowing cash from Qasim whereas Qasim starts earning with a small job on daily wage. Nikka’s wife Miriam helps in the upbringing...

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Book Review: Benazir Bhutto Daughter of the East

Benazir Bhutto’s autobiography starts with the chapter named ‘The assassination of my father’. In this chapter she narrates her father’s case, visits to his jail and the deplorable living conditions of the jail where he was kept. Moving forward Benazir reminisces her childhood and talks about her family life. She took her O level exams at Vatican embassy in Pakistan. Later on Benazir went to Harvard University to pursue higher education. Benazir...

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