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k8iedid's review against another edition
4.0
This has been on my TBR list for years and it was pure subconscious that I (finally) picked it up right after finishing Albright's FASCISM. It was really wonderful to immerse myself into these 2 women's perspectives on global politics.
I learned a lot about Islam and politics and am so glad I finally read this.
I learned a lot about Islam and politics and am so glad I finally read this.
danicapage's review against another edition
3.0
Not what I was expecting. But still really good. I enjoyed this one.
guinness74's review against another edition
5.0
An astounding heartfelt plea for democracy, not only in her own country, but in all Muslim countries. Bhutto's desire to effect change in the world, specifically in her home of Pakistan, is a clarion call of hope and faith built on an encyclopedic understanding of the faith of Islam and the history of the Muslim countries in the Asia and across the globe. Although there are several moments where the text is repetitive, it's still a 5-star book for its in-depth analysis of the issues surrounding the track record of democracy in Muslim countries, the fault of both Arab culture and Western culture, and its unwavering attitude toward reconciliation. This is a must read for anyone who truly believes that there can be peace in the world, and that it can be had if people simply sit down and understand what the other side is saying.
boureemusique's review against another edition
3.0
Bhutto is a woman whose words and story make me love her. In this book she writes clearly but often very academically, dryly, and repetitively about what is important to her. She talks about what Islam means to her, and her interpretation is liberal and beautiful. Islam, in her understanding, means to submit to Allah. It's your quintessential monotheistic religion. However, interpretation of the faith and of its holy book varies wildly. Bhutto believes that Islam calls for peace, for tolerance of nonbelievers (especially other monotheists), for education, for charity, for gender equality. Sharia law, she believes and explains, is based on multiple very narrow interpretations of the Qur'an and laws which subjugate women in particular are based on cultural rather than religious traditions.
After a decent but by no means comprehensive defense of Islam, Bhutto talks about how wonderful democracy is and how she believes it is integral to and not antithetical to peaceful Islam. She writes about how the U.S. government's model is a good one in theory (even if U.S. politics and the more decadent parts of culture are not). I forget much of the middle of the book in which she writes about the politics in different Muslim nations of the world and how the West in particular has helped or hindered freedom and democracy in those regions. She does acknowledge that there is PLENTY of blame to go around to all parties, and in most cases her arguments are carefully considered and I agree with them.
It is important to understand the history of Islam, of the Muslim world, of U.S. and Western involvement in it, and how the pieces fit together. Equally important, though, are Bhutto's ideas for action. The U.S. spends a lot of money in military efforts; she recommends we do something more in line with what we did with the Marshall Plan after WWII and invest money (but much less than we're spending now) in humanitarian projects - food, basic clothing, education, women's reproductive health, vaccines, etc. to the poorest nations. As she puts it, this is both moral and self-serving, a combination I personally find to be consistent with the way things should be run and truly better for the world. She is careful to say that such humanitarian aid is not pandering to or placating to terrorist but helping to promote in a very tangible way the virtues of democracy. She cites as an example how Bin Laden did the same thing - offering food and shelter to some of the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan but plastering his face everywhere aid was given out. It's easy to be more willing to follow the leaders who are going to make sure your kids get to eat. Somehow Bhutto clarifies that this is not bribery but, in the case of a (sometimes) just West, moral good will.
Fundamentalism, Bhutto says, breeds poverty and fanaticism. So:
1. Islam is inherently peaceful and is distorted by fundamentalists who use it for cultural and political agendas.
2. Islam as she understands it promotes democracy, education, and open discussion and debate.
3. The US and the West in general should be more tolerant and more aware of how our actions, especially military ones, affect the rest of the world and the way they perceive us.
4. Educating and empowering women in particular is vital to the success of democracy worldwide (she cites examples of how educating and empowering women helped Pakistan in particular).
5. Democratic nations with the means to do so should provide humanitarian aid to those who need it. Period. It's morally the right thing to do, and it's pragmatically better than letting people get so desperate that they'll do anything to get what they need.
Bhutto says this all much better and more convincingly than I do, but she does get a bit "erudite," as my beloved put it. 5 stars for her passion, 3 for content (not bad for watery), and 2-3 stars for writing (clear, but I didn't sign up to listen to a textbook). This book isn't factually awesome enough for me to own it as a reference, but it's a great primer for people who are as culturally and politically oblivious as I was.
After a decent but by no means comprehensive defense of Islam, Bhutto talks about how wonderful democracy is and how she believes it is integral to and not antithetical to peaceful Islam. She writes about how the U.S. government's model is a good one in theory (even if U.S. politics and the more decadent parts of culture are not). I forget much of the middle of the book in which she writes about the politics in different Muslim nations of the world and how the West in particular has helped or hindered freedom and democracy in those regions. She does acknowledge that there is PLENTY of blame to go around to all parties, and in most cases her arguments are carefully considered and I agree with them.
It is important to understand the history of Islam, of the Muslim world, of U.S. and Western involvement in it, and how the pieces fit together. Equally important, though, are Bhutto's ideas for action. The U.S. spends a lot of money in military efforts; she recommends we do something more in line with what we did with the Marshall Plan after WWII and invest money (but much less than we're spending now) in humanitarian projects - food, basic clothing, education, women's reproductive health, vaccines, etc. to the poorest nations. As she puts it, this is both moral and self-serving, a combination I personally find to be consistent with the way things should be run and truly better for the world. She is careful to say that such humanitarian aid is not pandering to or placating to terrorist but helping to promote in a very tangible way the virtues of democracy. She cites as an example how Bin Laden did the same thing - offering food and shelter to some of the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan but plastering his face everywhere aid was given out. It's easy to be more willing to follow the leaders who are going to make sure your kids get to eat. Somehow Bhutto clarifies that this is not bribery but, in the case of a (sometimes) just West, moral good will.
Fundamentalism, Bhutto says, breeds poverty and fanaticism. So:
1. Islam is inherently peaceful and is distorted by fundamentalists who use it for cultural and political agendas.
2. Islam as she understands it promotes democracy, education, and open discussion and debate.
3. The US and the West in general should be more tolerant and more aware of how our actions, especially military ones, affect the rest of the world and the way they perceive us.
4. Educating and empowering women in particular is vital to the success of democracy worldwide (she cites examples of how educating and empowering women helped Pakistan in particular).
5. Democratic nations with the means to do so should provide humanitarian aid to those who need it. Period. It's morally the right thing to do, and it's pragmatically better than letting people get so desperate that they'll do anything to get what they need.
Bhutto says this all much better and more convincingly than I do, but she does get a bit "erudite," as my beloved put it. 5 stars for her passion, 3 for content (not bad for watery), and 2-3 stars for writing (clear, but I didn't sign up to listen to a textbook). This book isn't factually awesome enough for me to own it as a reference, but it's a great primer for people who are as culturally and politically oblivious as I was.
nick_lehotsky's review against another edition
4.0
A profoundly thoughtful and beautiful work.
What Bhutto strove to accomplish her whole life (creating and maintaining functioning democracy in Pakistan) she elaborates upon using her own knowledge, as well as that of others. This book serves as an excellent eradicator of ignorance regarding Islam, Pakistan, and Bhutto.
Fussy Reader Note:
I wished there were more footnotes, and that they were noted in the main text. This feature enabled a kind of self-punishing curiosity in me--intermittently flipping between the notes section and the main text to see when sources were cited is a cruel book joke.
What Bhutto strove to accomplish her whole life (creating and maintaining functioning democracy in Pakistan) she elaborates upon using her own knowledge, as well as that of others. This book serves as an excellent eradicator of ignorance regarding Islam, Pakistan, and Bhutto.
Fussy Reader Note:
I wished there were more footnotes, and that they were noted in the main text. This feature enabled a kind of self-punishing curiosity in me--intermittently flipping between the notes section and the main text to see when sources were cited is a cruel book joke.
marwashafique's review against another edition
3.0
A great and insightful book on how Islam and democracy are corelated and how much democracy is needed to flourish as a country. At a few places I did feel as if I was reading my 10th grade History book, and I probably would've enjoyed it more had I had a deep interest in politics and things alike. Nonetheless, I don't regret picking it up.
cirulputenis's review against another edition
3.0
It was very interesting, Benazir Bhutto is a very fascinating woman and it shed light on the importance of pluralism in Pakistan.