I had an hour to kill at the library today so I picked this book (Zulfi Bhutto of Pakistan), mainly because Stan Wolpert did an amazing job writing about Jinnah… I read the last chapter, which discusses the last phase of Bhutto, before he was hung. I must say it was an awesome chapter, loved it! The details were incredible, takes you right back into that era.
I wonder if the Pakistani Government has evern given an official commendation or some award to Stanly Wolpert for writing these two books? His ‘Jinnah of Pakistan’ is probably the best one written on Jinnah.
I recommend these two books to you guys, and if youve already read them, your thoughts about it would be appreciated.
I agree spock. I havent read the one on Bhutto yet. In Dec 2002 Wolpert was invited by the Agha Khan Foundation to celebrate Quaid's birth anniv and give a series of lectures. I had the good fortune of meeting Prof Wolpert and attend a lecture on the legacy of Jinnah. That year his book on Gandhi had just come out, havent read that yet either, but i'm sure it'd be quite good. It was banned in India for a while i think.
One question i asked him was why in the western world, inspite of the fact that all know and Wolpert himself writes "*Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three." *why is it so that Gandhi is so mush more popular and Jinnah comparitively much less celebrated? His answer was that,
'It has to do something with what relates more to people; symbolism and show. He had an advantage due to the sideshows, like the self woven cloth, spiritual exercises, all which attracted people...'
He also mentioned openly during a lecture that when his book was published in the 80s, the GoP had been supportive but when they learned he had openly stated a fact that he used to have a bit of whiskey once in a while and a bacon sandwich here and there, the govt and Gen Zia-ul-Haq wanted him to remove that section from the book. To which he did not agree, but the govt allowed only a censored version to enter Pakistan. Later of course, the un-edited vesrion was available like everywhere else.
His book on Jinnah is the most accurate, unbiased and fitting account of what M.A.Jinnah was all about.
Do share some intersting bits from the last chapter on Bhutto from Zulfi. What does he say?
Btw, you may already know, Prof Wolpert was initially educated as a marine engineer if i remember right. What a switch, now he's the authority on SAsian history.
Brilliant writer..I think however out of all his books //the one on ZAB is probably the weakest of his books. It tends to focus a bit too much on Bhuttos complex personality and not him in a more general sense.
Its a shame he has never written on Ayub Khan or Zia..or Indira Gandhi for that matter.
The best one I'd recommend would be Nadeem Qasir's, even though its not just about Zia, but it discusses Islamicization under Zia in great detail! Its also part of the Olevel curriculum, or was in my times...
Haris, its awesome that you've met Wolpert, what did you talk to him about, more details bro! I wish I get a chance to meet him too. Hes resides in California right?
Haris, its awesome that you've met Wolpert, what did you talk to him about, more details bro! I wish I get a chance to meet him too. Hes resides in California right?
r u in pakistan, or would this book be available here in US also, im very fascinated by bhuttos personalilty from what i ve heard and seen, would love to read this book!
Im in the US, but I remember back in olevel pak studies, this book was readily available through Oxford University Press, a little costly back then... You can however, get it from most college libraries in the US, or you can buy it online for around $20, softcover edition. Do read it, I dont think this book is 'weak' or anything, infact its right up there with his book on Jinnah.
thnx bro, just went to my library here at rutgers, and got 3 great books, This Stan wolpert book which i just stepped away from to write in this thread, col. rafi raza's book on zulfiqar ali bhutto, and roedad khans, "pakistan a dream gone sour"! never knew these libraries had so much great material thnx bro!
Its a shame he has never written on Ayub Khan or Zia..or Indira Gandhi for that matter.
Why is it a shame? he wrote in the book on ZAB that Jinnah and Bhutto are two most influencial leaders in Pakistan's history - rightly so.. may be he dosnt put dictators as important as u do..
PakAwam,
good thing yopu mentioned Col Rafi Raza's book, I had been trying to recall the name of the writer. Ive been trying to get my hands on this one too. Col Rafi was the officer present at the prison during the execution right? I'm forgetting what his appointment was at the time. Ive read a few excerpts and he too has described the entire case and the last days very well.
Do share how you feel abt the book.
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Haris, its awesome that you've met Wolpert, what did you talk to him about, more details bro! I wish I get a chance to meet him too. Hes resides in California right?
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Yeah it sure was an interesting experience Spock. Youre right, he's a professor in SAsian studies at UCLA.
Rafiz Raza..wasn't he a former minister of ZAB's? Roedad Khans book is interesting as well..mind you he makes much of his supposed NAP links but he was very different when in power. He also uses quotes too much..very adjective prone writing. he has his own website up as well..
I didnt know abt his website Zakk, whats the address?
And youre right abt his style, he kind uses the typical old school english from his govt service :D
Speaking of Rafi Raza, Sher Baz Khan Mazari in his very succinct and balanced, Pakistan a Journey Through Disillusionment, writes that Raza mentioned in his book the sick fixation Bhattu had with the Third Reich and how attempted to emulate the tactics and methods employed by the Nazis to establish a strangle hold of masses and the country...
Degas, youre absolutely right, Wolpert is a wise man, he only spends time writing about influential people, but yeah, I think he should write about Ayub Khan. Then again, everyone has preferences, some people here prolly want him to write a book on Altaf Bhaiiya of Pakistan too.
I heard about rafi raza on dr.shahids program, yeaa i think he was present in his cell, he was supposed to take zab to get hanged, havent started reading the book, bcuz i cant get my hands off the wolpert book on ZAB, will start it next week Inshallah and let u know!! also im gonne google roedads site i didnt know he had 1! thnx!