"Comprehensive. . . . The product of impressive expertise."--Robert D. Kaplan, New York Times Book Review

"[A] lucid and sobering examination. . . . Owen Bennett-Jones has delivered a well-crafted, clear, balanced and often quite lively account that should be immensely useful to Americans who want to understand this difficult ally."--Thomas W. Lippman, Washington Post Book World

"Analytically probing . . . and gives a clear picture of how Pakistan has arrived at such a parlous state."--Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs

"Jones masterfully explores the historical, institutional, ideological and class forces that have created the fine mess that is today's Pakistan."--Emran Qureshi, Globe and Mail

"[Pakistan]contains judiciously selected cartoons, superbly reproduced photographs of Pakistani leaders, and evocative images of soldiers and street demonstrations. . . . [This] book is worthwhile for its sound analysis of the Pakistan Army. Highly recommended. All levels/collections."--Choice

"Clear and entertaining. . . . An excellent guide to the complexities of this critical corner of the world. . . . Well worth reading."--Jonathan M. House, History: Reviews of New Books

"It is a clear and concise analysis of Pakistan's political sociology Perhaps his style of journalistic writing and insight makes the book appealing. . . . The book is a good primer to understand the issues that bedevil much of the Muslim world."--Sajjad Yusuf, Virginia Quarterly Review

"A well-written, insightful, and critical journalistic history. . . . Highly recommended."--Library Journal

"The world has a stake in what happens in Pakistan. How great a stake, this book makes compellingly clear."--Robert M. Hathaway, Wilson Quarterly

"Owen Bennett Jones is well placed to tell the Pakistan story. . . . For anyone interested in the history of Pakistan and in putting into context events in the region today, this book is very helpful."--Miriam Donohoe, Irish Times

"I found it difficult to put down. . . . Bennett Jones has that rare objectivity and realism that are the fruits of many years' reporting and presenting on Pakistan for the various current affairs programmes of the World Service. . . . For the general reader who expects Pakistan to give the world some hair-raising moments over the next few years, the cost of this book is justified by its introductory and concluding chapters alone."--Hazhir Teimourian, Literary Review

"Bennett Jones's intelligent book is an excellent source of information."--Anatol Lieven, London Review of Books

"[An] excellent book. . . . Jones lays out these key issues [the government, ethnic and linguistic divides, the military, the atomic bomb, religious extremism] and shows why they are important for the region and the world. . . . [A book that will] help the reader understand Pakistan."--Lester W. Grau, Military Review

"Owen Bennett-Jones' Pakistan is the essential primer on this nation's short, turbulent history."--Anne Wagner, National Journal

"Pakistan is at the center of global concerns about terrorism, Islamic fundamentalism, and nuclear proliferation. In this revealing and riveting account, Owen Bennett Jones explains why Pakistan's stability is vital. A seminal work for a long time to come."--Ahmed Rashid