Description
History Book Club Selection. Born in torment barely half a century ago, Pakistan appears to be in constant pursuit of its own identity; at the same time it has become a pivotal player in global politics. Its short existence has witnessed an extraordinary variety of events: four coups d état, the rise of Islam as a power, tensions between ethnic groups and religious groups, the Kashmir conflict and the near-constant war footing with India, the rapid establishment of separatist movements such as that which lead to the establishment of Bangladesh, and its own increasingly important position at the axis of the Middle East, central Asia and China. Furthermore, the ongoing issues surrounding Afghanistan and the most recent coup that leaves Pakistan, the sixth most populous country in the world, the only nuclear power governed by the military, make the study of this countrys history one of the most crucial in terms of understanding modern international relations, politics, religion, economics and global military strategy. This book, compiled by a renowned academic team under the editorship of Christophe Jaffrelot is written in a style that is suitable for both academic readers, as well as those who seek a more general intellectual understanding of the region.
