Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within

Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within
AuthorShuja Nawaz
LanguageEnglish
Published2008 (OUP)
Publication placePakistan
Media typePrint (Hardback)
Pages655 + xliv
ISBN9780195476606
OCLC611175599

Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within is a 2008 book by Shuja Nawaz. It is a detailed study of the military's involvement in the evolution of Pakistan.

Reception

Pakistan Vision wrote "What distinguishes this book from other works on Pakistan’s military is that other works have devoted a chapter on the military’s role in politics separately. This book on the other hand travels through a historical frame by discussing military adventures, wars and the military’s peace-time activities along with the politics and process of governance." and "Shuja Nawaz’s book is a valuable addition to existing literature on Pakistani politics with special reference to the role of the armed forces in the nation building politics and security of Pakistan. .. Despite its pro-military bias, the book remains interesting and provides much material for academic debate."[1] The Journal of Military History wrote that Crossed Swords "is a detailed and fascinating account of the army, in peace and in wartime, through the lens of one not actually part of the organisation, yet possessed of a thorough appreciation of its ethos." and concluded "This is a thorough and stimulating book, and highly recommended."[2]

The Reviewer's Bookwatch in its review highlighted various errors in the book and ended with "Shuja has burnt his midnight oil. He has compiled and collected all the facts in a nice way but his analysis has been shallow. We expected something far more profound than this. 600 pages written in vain."[3]

It has also been reviewed by the London Review of Books,[4] the Harvard International Review,[5] and The Journal of Asian Studies.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Amna Mahmood (December 2011). "Book Reviews: Shuja Nawaz, Crossed Swords". Pakistan Vision. 12 (1). Pakistan Study Centre: 255–66. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within (review)". Journal of Military History. 73 (3). Society for Military History: 1019, 1020. 3 July 2009. doi:10.1353/jmh.0.0300. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Reviewer's Choice: Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within". Reviewer's Bookwatch. 8 (8). Midwest Book Review. August 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  4. ^ Tariq Ali (17 July 2008). "Next Door To War". London Review of Books. 30 (14). LRB Ltd.: 15, 16. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  5. ^ Malou Innocent (2008). "Review Essay: Pakistan's Overbearing Army Civilian Institutions are in Danger - Are There Solutions?". Harvard International Review. 30 (3). Harvard International Relations Council: 82, 83. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  6. ^ Anita M. Weiss (May 2009). "Book Reviews-South Asia: Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within". The Journal of Asian Studies. 68 (2). CUP: 657–659. doi:10.1017/s0021911809001119. JSTOR 20619779.