What do you think?
Rate this book
Pakistan: Eye of the Storm
Pakistan — with its political instability, vociferous Islamic community, pressing economic and social problems, access to nuclear weapons, and proximity to Afghanistan — stands at the very center of global attention. Can General Musharraf, Pakistan's military ruler, control the forces that helped create the Taliban in Afghanistan? In this fascinating book, journalist Owen Bennett Jones looks at Pakistan's turbulent past, recounts its recent history, and assesses its future options. A new introduction brings the account fully up to date.
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Owen Bennett Jones
2 books3 followersOwen Bennett Jones was BBC correspondent in Pakistan and is now correspondent in Asia for the BBC World Service. He has written for the Guardian, the Financial Times, the Independent, the London Review of Books, and Prospect magazine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Read
December 22, 2019BBC journalist Owen Bennett Jones' very critical history of Pakistan (until 2002).He does acknowledge at the start,however,that his target audience is non-Pakistanis,and most well informed Pakistanis would already know about the things he writes about.It is a lot of familiar history,but clearly carries an anti-Pakistan bias.From Kashmir to the creation of Bangladesh to Pakistan's nuclear programme,Jones finds lots to criticize.I expected something more balanced from him,I was disappointed.
July 1, 2013
This is a remarkable book on Pakistan, context setting with amazing insights. I especially enjoyed the references to individual stories of feudals, generals and politicians to strength the author's deductions. Unfortunately the future looks bleaker for the moment with the rise in terrorism and anarchy. I found the last chapter on Musharraf and his non-existent policy on education something the author to have needlessly injected as education is the main reason for the sad state of affairs in Pakistan. This book should be on the reading list of anyone interested in Pakistan.
November 14, 2023
Enjoyed it. Concise, well structured and well written.
Made me realise how much variables needs to be managed well for a country to prosper. And how short sighted decision making of those in power decides the fate of millions.
So many lessons for other developing countries as well.
Made me realise how much variables needs to be managed well for a country to prosper. And how short sighted decision making of those in power decides the fate of millions.
So many lessons for other developing countries as well.
August 3, 2016
Having willfully ignored Pakistan for years, I finally sat down to read Owen Bennett Jones' book ... and discovered I couldn't put it down. And by so doing, I filled an important hole I'd been ignoring in my overview and understanding of Asia.
Pakistan's history is short but turbulent. This excellent, well-researched, beautifully written book covers its history, personalities, politics, and issues in chapters that first present an overview of Pakistan's history then proceed to address each major issue the nation (nations, after east and west separate and Bangladesh emerges) topic by topic -- the role of language, the tribal states, Kashmir, Bangladesh, the Army, the leaders, democracy, nationalism, the jihadists, the atomic bomb -- by weaving back and forth between chapters, recalling events and names into they merge into a comprehensible whole. The details are many and captivating--while often horrific. Betrayals, lies, greed and subterfuge cross with idealism, hope, and at times incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, rubbing against people so abused by their leaders that while some live in rich feudal sanctuaries, others live in unthinkable poverty.
The author is a BBC correspondent who obviously has done extensive and thorough research on his topic, and this edition is a new one that updates the original edition from 2003 to roughly 2010.
June 16, 2019
As an Indian, I have always wanted to read about Pakistan, its history, its people, its challenges and its achievements. Read Ian Talbot's book a few years back - but found it too dry. Owen avoids that but at the same time, he presents all the important aspects in the turbulent history of my neighbor in an engaging but largely neutral mindset. A bit dated - covers only upto 9/11 but still very relevant. a must read for every Indian in order to understand the challenges faced in governing Pakistan
February 9, 2018
I read the book eight years ago and it opened my eyes to many things that I had not seen in my own country. The first chapter gave a play-by-play detail of the 1999 coup and went on to describe history of nuclear program, regionalism and other vital parts of Pakistan’s history. It is a very well-written book and should be read as an introduction to Pakistan.
September 16, 2017
Pretty good articulation of anecdotes and plausibly true but he failed to mention in some places the source of information that he mention as facts like the majority of migrants were from East Punjab etc.
April 4, 2021
About as exciting to read as the New York City phonebook, but an absolute must for an outsider wanting to learn about Pakistan's history, its people, its leaders - the history and analysis ends in 2008, with the resignation of General Musharraf's government. Jones is an expert across the board.
October 10, 2021
An interesting book, written in a manner, once you start it keeps you glued. Many revelations which a common Pakistani does not know. But his analysis is built on the events till 2002, lot has changed after that!
March 14, 2022
Though the book was published in 2002, it still is helpful in 2020. After reading I know a lot more about Pakistan.
January 1, 2023
Good to know about this book
It's translated in Urdu by Yasir Jawad .
It's translated in Urdu by Yasir Jawad .
December 2, 2023
An excellent book about the events and history that shaped Pakistan. An insightful account for anyone interested in understanding the history of the subcontinent.
May 22, 2024
It was an interesting read. Writer has aptly covered some of the basic root cause of many problems in Pakistan. Since book was published in 2003 therefore it only covers the details till 2002.
January 19, 2014
I loved this book. I remember seeing it in my college bookstore and just squealing with delight. I immediately bought it. I'm so impulsive.
Anyhow. This was quite the learning experience. I mean I was obviously aware of the history of Pakistan but I was always sure that it was biased at some places. I like how Jones wrote this book. He did give credit where credit was due and also didn't shy away from revealing Pakistan's failures throughout history. There was no glorification of the leaders unlike in our textbooks. This book serves as a great introduction to Pakistan's history with more emphasis on the contemporary one. It's fun, easy to read and follow and highly interesting.
Anyhow. This was quite the learning experience. I mean I was obviously aware of the history of Pakistan but I was always sure that it was biased at some places. I like how Jones wrote this book. He did give credit where credit was due and also didn't shy away from revealing Pakistan's failures throughout history. There was no glorification of the leaders unlike in our textbooks. This book serves as a great introduction to Pakistan's history with more emphasis on the contemporary one. It's fun, easy to read and follow and highly interesting.
December 18, 2009
This book gave me a better grasp of how and why Pakistan is in the state it is today. Each chapter focuses on a different and equally important issue, e.g. the different ethnic groups and how they interact, the politics related to Kashmir, NWFP, the military, and the power holders -- particularly Musharraf. The author was the BBC correspondent based in Pakistan from 1998-2001 so the writing is more journalistic.
November 13, 2019
It goes into usual topics like Kashmir, formation of Bangladesh, efforts made by its provinces to go independent, how the country acquired nukes one by one.Very general book, doesn't go into too much detail. Talks about military leaders and their contribution in turning Pakistan into a failed state. Its an old book, published in 2002, so misses out on current situation. Pick any MJ Akbar or Husain Haqqani for that.
June 25, 2010
Good book to read about Pakistan. Gives a comprehensive account of Pakistan's history and present day situation in addition to explaining likely future challenges faced to it. Chapters on Kashmir, Nationalism, Bangladesh, The Bomb and the Army give a detailed background information about what went wrong with Pakistan since its creation in 1947.
June 5, 2016
Owen Bennett Jones has written a crisp book on one of the most troubled countries of the present decade. With journalistic flair, he packages the recurrent themes of the Pakistani theatre, fundamentalism, feudalism,
corruption and above all - the army. The book is a canny reflection on the factors that have failed Pakistan.
corruption and above all - the army. The book is a canny reflection on the factors that have failed Pakistan.
December 29, 2017
It is an excellent piece of work stating the story of Pakistan with rational and neutral slant. He has covered supreme aspects of Pakistan history and maladministration of prospects by our so-called Elite and Establishment. He has drawn a clear line between India & Pakistan command and control mechanism.
It is a worth-reading book.
It is a worth-reading book.
August 28, 2012
BBC reporter Owen Bennett Jones writes just as crisply as he reads the news. He paints a lucid, troubling portrait of Pakistan's traumatic birth, turbulent past and unstable present that leaves the reader worried not just for Pakistan's future but our own.
Read
August 21, 2009crisp but largely known info about pakistan. a delightful read nonetheless since it is organized topically rather than chronologically.
April 4, 2010
Good background information on the region.
March 30, 2014
Thematically organized with a timeline to help you locate intersections. Not heavily biased. Insightful and informative.
June 26, 2011
Pakistan is not a state; it's an army. Not one of Pakistan's leaders has ever completed his term in office.
January 10, 2013
Hardly includes any new information on a complex topic that constantly requires new research.
January 15, 2017
Good Book
Read
May 17, 2009Pakistan: Eye of the Storm by Owen Bennett Jones (2003)
June 14, 2010
Good review of what is going on in Pakistan and the region.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews