Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in October 2007, after eight years of exile, hopeful that she could be a catalyst for change. Upon a tumult... read full description
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Apr 08, 2008
Penny
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Anyone who knew I was reading Reconciliation, knew that this book was a tough read for me. First, I rarely read works of non-fiction, and second, I didn't know much about the Islamic world/history, though I was vastly curious. But there was something about Benazir Bhutto that really drew me in. After she was killed, I wanted to know more about her--this strong female figure, in a male dominated Muslim world.
I may not agree with everything she said but this book has done a few th More...
I may not agree with everything she said but this book has done a few th More...
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Apr 19, 2008
Tracy
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May 06, 2009
Rhonda
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I wasn't sure what to make of this book the first time I looked at it. For lack of a better term, I thought of it as an idealistic rant, albeit truly heroic and well written. The problem was that I had already read The Clash of Civilizations by Samuel Huntington and frankly I thought he was pretty much correct. Even if he wasn't, I had no doubt that dippy Islamist control freaks were set on molding the relatively ignorant masses to their way of thinking. As a matter of fact, that is one view
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Jun 24, 2009
Lauren
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I picked up this book thinking that Benazir Bhutto was going to be my hero but I was very disappointed. I know she is heroic and was a martyr for her cause -- Islamic Democracy -- and I wanted to know more about that. About how she promoted women and freedom and voice to the people of Pakistan. I loved to hear about her optimism about how Islam is a peaceful religion that has been hijacked by extremists who stray from the real messages of the Quran. That message was pounded into my brain at my l
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Sep 02, 2010
Zach
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The book contains four, one reviewing Bhutto's view of Islam, modern history of Pakistan, her time in Pakistani politics and possible reconciliation/solution for conflicts between the west and Islam as well as internal conflicts.
The history of Pakistan and her own political experience are interesting, though you have to take it with a grain of salt, but her perspective is interesting and important in attempting to understand Pakistan's current political culture.
Her dis More...
The history of Pakistan and her own political experience are interesting, though you have to take it with a grain of salt, but her perspective is interesting and important in attempting to understand Pakistan's current political culture.
Her dis More...
Jul 06, 2010
Emilie
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Bhutto is at her visionary best outlining concrete plans for Pakistan, the country for which she gave her life shortly after finishing this book -- plans for "people-to-people" projects, combining local initiative, committed financial involvement on the part of other regional Muslim nations, and visible involvement, also, on the part of the United States and other Anglophone and European countries.
Unfortunately, these plans take up only a few pages at the end of the book, w More...
Unfortunately, these plans take up only a few pages at the end of the book, w More...
Aug 09, 2011
Emily
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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 o
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Jun 14, 2009
Julie H.
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What an interesting book! While I've categorized it as a biography, it's really much more of an extended position paper from Bhutto to the world. In it, she wishes to make three main points. Those points are that: (1) while there is considerable diversity within Islam (as is true for any of the "big three" monotheistic faiths), in recent years it has been hijacked in a manner of speaking to achieve particular anti-Western political ends; (2) that Islam and democracy, the West, and m
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Dec 13, 2008
Patti
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This had an interesting history section organized by each Middle Eastern country, plus a section devoted to Pakistan's recent political history. It was probably the least biased part of the book.
There were a few "uh..."s here and there, more of which I'll probably remember later on:
One was at the beginning where she was basically like, "Islam is really the same as Christianity, which is the same as Judaism because they're monotheistic. So when the Koran tel More...
There were a few "uh..."s here and there, more of which I'll probably remember later on:
One was at the beginning where she was basically like, "Islam is really the same as Christianity, which is the same as Judaism because they're monotheistic. So when the Koran tel More...
Feb 19, 2010
Kim
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Biggest revelation was that if Bhutto represents the 'moderate' view in the Islamic world, then we really do have a lot to fear. She does not place all the blame at the feet of the West but she repeatedly states that there is plenty of blame to go around, and she seems to spend more time talking about how the West has failed in its approach to the Islamic world than how the Islamic world had failed itself. It is nice to hear a non-American point of view, and whether all her truths are truths or
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Feb 27, 2011
Chandra
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I probably could have added a star, but I don't know why they just had to go and put a twenty year old portrait of the author on the cover. If they are going for honesty, then be honest all the way. That being said, Bhutto knew how to use her literary voice to speak to various groups of people, whether it be the citizens of her beloved country, Islam, or the West. She wasn't afraid to point out grievances. Her sections addressing particular nations, including their backgrounds and progress t
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Jul 03, 2009
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Feb 02, 2012
Kristin
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This book made Benazir Bhutto one of my heroes.
She spends nearly the first half of the book going over the history of western imperialism, which may be useful for some, although it wasn't for me - you're probably the same if you're informed enough to know who Bhutto is and to appreciate her story. For example, if you already know that the American CIA overthrew the first democratically-elected leader in Iran in 1953, you will probably be bored by the first half of her book.
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She spends nearly the first half of the book going over the history of western imperialism, which may be useful for some, although it wasn't for me - you're probably the same if you're informed enough to know who Bhutto is and to appreciate her story. For example, if you already know that the American CIA overthrew the first democratically-elected leader in Iran in 1953, you will probably be bored by the first half of her book.
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Sep 13, 2011
Steve
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This book is not what I expected. It starts with Bhutto describing the failed assassination attempt on her life when she returned to Pakistan after seven years of exile to regain her position as prime minister. Her telling of the story was very exciting and engaging. I expected the rest of the book to be an autobiography of her life leading up to the successful assassination of Bhutto which occurred just one month later. Instead Bhutto writes about the roots, causes and possible solutions to t
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Mar 12, 2010
Sushila
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This book is divided into six chapters that are quite distinct. It's almost like reading six separate well-written articles. The first half of the book is fantastic. My favorite parts are when Bhutto analyzes Islam and the Koran and relates it to modern life. She is incredibly knowledgeable and it's refreshing to hear a modern person living in the outside world, as opposed to some hermetic cleric, offer her interpretations. The parts where Bhutto relates a brief history of Islamic nations,
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Jan 09, 2010
Good narration could not make me finish this. Initially, it seemed to be an unusually eventful political memoir. Sadly, Bhutto switches to a generic muslim apology after about twenty minutes. At about the one-hour mark, she switches gears again and breaks into an anti-Christian rant. I can understand that Bhutto has to run for office in Pakistan, but it's not really clear who needs to read this book. Although some genuine educational material is included, islamophile Westerners will already know
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Jan 29, 2012
Laurie
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I thought that the best thing about this book was that you learn a little bit about the history of Islam. Other than that, it was Bhutto repeating the same things over and over again, and in a writing style that I would expect to see in a high school student's essay.
Her final suggestions for bringing democracy to Pakistan are so pie-in-the-sky simplistic and a bit hypocritical: build more schools, establish institutions that are aimed towards furthering women's futures, etc. And how are t More...
Her final suggestions for bringing democracy to Pakistan are so pie-in-the-sky simplistic and a bit hypocritical: build more schools, establish institutions that are aimed towards furthering women's futures, etc. And how are t More...
Sep 11, 2008
I really wanted to like this book more than I did.
Unfortunately, the author spends most of chapter 2 quoting passages from the Quran in an attempt to prove that Islam is not a violent or mysogynist religion. Like trying to read the Bible, this just made my eyes glaze over (MEGO).
Now I don't pretend to know a lot about Islam. But when her interpretation of the evidence is along the lines of "a close reading shows that it does not advocate violence against people of t More...
Unfortunately, the author spends most of chapter 2 quoting passages from the Quran in an attempt to prove that Islam is not a violent or mysogynist religion. Like trying to read the Bible, this just made my eyes glaze over (MEGO).
Now I don't pretend to know a lot about Islam. But when her interpretation of the evidence is along the lines of "a close reading shows that it does not advocate violence against people of t More...
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May 30, 2008
Jennifer
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Bhutto presents arguments from the Quran favoring the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and she identifies the main center of gravity against terrorism as an intra-Muslim struggle for the future of Islam.
She calls on Western countries to support Muslim progressive reformers, and stop supporting governments which oppress and restrict these Muslim progressive reformers.
Main drawback (why I gave it only 3 stars) is that it is unevenly written. For example, it includes More...
She calls on Western countries to support Muslim progressive reformers, and stop supporting governments which oppress and restrict these Muslim progressive reformers.
Main drawback (why I gave it only 3 stars) is that it is unevenly written. For example, it includes More...
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Mar 15, 2008
Rena
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Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in October 2007, after eight years of exile, hopeful that she could be a catalyst for change. Upon a tumultuous reception, she survived a suicide-bomb attack that killed nearly two hundred of her countrymen. But she continued to forge ahead, with more courage and conviction than ever, since she knew that time was running out--for the future of her nation, and for her life.
In Reconciliation, Bhutto recounts in gripping detail her final months in Pakistan More...
In Reconciliation, Bhutto recounts in gripping detail her final months in Pakistan More...
Apr 09, 2009
Renee
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The late Benazir Bhutto discusses Islam, its compatibility with democracy, its relationship with the West, and what can be done to bring about peaceful "reconciliation" and progress therein.
While I admire Bhutto's courage, intelligence and dedication to her country and to bringing progress and democracy there during her administrations (despite these efforts being marred by charges of corruption - I cannot really speak to that), I cannot help but think that she was a bit na More...
While I admire Bhutto's courage, intelligence and dedication to her country and to bringing progress and democracy there during her administrations (despite these efforts being marred by charges of corruption - I cannot really speak to that), I cannot help but think that she was a bit na More...
Feb 09, 2011
Flora
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She had a beautiful message, she truly did, about Islam, democracy and, well, reconciliation. But in her eloquence and her recollections you can also see the megalomania --- lots and lots of megalomania --- that made the book as frightening as it was conciliatory. I think if I did not spend so much time following AfPak events I would have enjoyed this book more. Some of the explanations were too "introductory," becoming roadblocks rather than helpful notes as I read this.
May 17, 2010
Jen
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Bhutto is a very enigmatic figure, and ppl either hate or love her, but whatever your
view on her is, this book does a great job at explaining that just like christian faith is not
defined by the bombings of women's health care clinics by super duper conservative christians, islam shouldn't be defined by the acts of radical muslims. From someone who knows nothing of the subject, I found it useful that she outlined the key differences between shia and sunni.
view on her is, this book does a great job at explaining that just like christian faith is not
defined by the bombings of women's health care clinics by super duper conservative christians, islam shouldn't be defined by the acts of radical muslims. From someone who knows nothing of the subject, I found it useful that she outlined the key differences between shia and sunni.
Feb 06, 2009
Malinda
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I loved this book and I really admire Benazir Bhutto. The world would be a better place if more leaders had her attitude. This is a good read for anyone, but if you don't care to know much about Islam, you might find parts of it slow or boring. Her description of some of the assassination attempts against her more than make up for those parts tho. It's unfortunate they succeeded in killing her. That part of the world has really lost a great soul.
Apr 29, 2009
Jeans77
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What a loss to the world. She was a tremendously intelligent and insightful proponent of democracy who could have created an entirely different situation in Pakistan today. This book explains the similarities between Islam and Christianity really well, and shows how we are more the same than different. It also does a good job explaining which nations of the world are truly democratic, and which we need to worry about. I strongly recommend this one.
Apr 01, 2011
Shahlal
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I really admired this woman. This book is truely amazing.
It completely changed my personal western outlook on the religion of Islam; traditional and contemporary, and explains the reasons and ways of thinking among the denominations, as well as tribes among the people of the Middle East.
It is very comendable and idealistic in its suggestions of reconciliation, and patching up the torn past/present, for a better future.
It completely changed my personal western outlook on the religion of Islam; traditional and contemporary, and explains the reasons and ways of thinking among the denominations, as well as tribes among the people of the Middle East.
It is very comendable and idealistic in its suggestions of reconciliation, and patching up the torn past/present, for a better future.
Jan 02, 2010
Theauliasmile
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A very noble lady with humble views on her country, what she believe in, and the traditions which cover her believe. she is totally brave in performing her opinion whether different with majority. she stood till the last breath of her touched the world. May Allah SWT be with her always. May her spirit could touch and be touch by other ladies and also gentlemen to struggled what deserved to be struggled.^_^
May 25, 2010
Greg
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I had felt that much of current events centered in Pakistan. This book confirmed that feeling. I especially enjoyed the story of the patience that Mohammad had with his grandson while he rod on the back of his grandfather who was leading a group of men in prayer. When asked why he waited until the end of prayer to gently remove him from his back, he replied, "I didn't want to spoil his ride."
Feb 05, 2009
Priya
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I liked the effort Bhutto put in to explain Islam. Unfortunately, the common mans understanding/interpretation is far removed from how she understood it. Also, her regime's history contradicts a lot she has written.
If only people can understand that religion , be it christinanity,Hindusim or Islam needs to be understood and interpreted
according to current times, world would resolve whole lot of issues.
Palestine and Israel point in case..
I remain unimpressed More...
If only people can understand that religion , be it christinanity,Hindusim or Islam needs to be understood and interpreted
according to current times, world would resolve whole lot of issues.
Palestine and Israel point in case..
I remain unimpressed More...
