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In the Line of Fire: A Memoir

by Pervez Musharraf

2.76 · rating details · 191 ratings · 31 reviews

According to Time magazine, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf holds "the world's most dangerous job." He has twice come within inches of assassination. His forces have caught more than 670 members of al Qaeda in the mountains and cities, yet many others remain at large and active, including Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawahiri. Long locked in a deadly embrac...moreAccording to Time magazine, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf holds "the world's most dangerous job." He has twice come within inches of assassination. His forces have caught more than 670 members of al Qaeda in the mountains and cities, yet many others remain at large and active, including Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawahiri. Long locked in a deadly embrace with its nuclear neighbor India, Pakistan has come close to full-scale war on two occasions since it first exploded a nuclear bomb in 1998. As President Musharraf struggles for the security and political future of his nation, the stakes could not be higher for the world at large.It is unprecedented for a sitting head of state to write a memoir as revelatory, detailed, and gripping as In the Line of Fire. Here, for the first time, readers can get a firsthand view of the war on terror in its central theater. President Musharraf details the manhunts for Osama and Zawahiri and their top lieutenants, complete with harrowing cat-and-mouse games, informants, interceptions, and bloody firefights. He tells the stories of the near-miss assassination attempts, not only against himself but against Shaukut Aziz (later elected prime minister) and one of his top army officers (later the vice chief of army staff), and of the abduction and beheading of Daniel Pearl -- as well as the forensic and shoe-leather investigations that uncovered the perpetrators. He details the army's mountain operations that have swept several valleys clean, and he talks about the areas of North Waziristan where al Qaeda is still operating.Yet the war on terror is just one of the many headline-making subjects in In the Line of Fire. The full story of the events that brought President Musharraf to power in 1999 is told for the first time. He reveals new details of the 1999 confrontation with India in Kashmir (the Kargil conflict) and offers a proposal for resolving the Kashmir dispute.He offers a portrait of Mullah Omar, with stories of Pakistan's attempts to negotiate with him. Concerning A. Q. Khan and his proliferation network, he explains what the government knew and when it knew it, and he reveals fascinating details of Khan's operations and the investigations into them.In addition, President Musharraf takes many stances that will make news. He calls for the Muslim world to recognize Israel once a viable Palestinian state is created. He urges the repeal of Pakistan's 1979 Hudood law. He calls for the emancipation of women and for their full political equality with men. He tells the sad story of Pakistan's experience with democracy and what he has done to make it workable.(less)

Paperback, 368 pages

Published September 25th 2006 by Free Press

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Oct 18, 2009

Raju rated it

· review of another edition

After reading the book, me as an Indian who has access to information from various sources would like to disagree with the factual accuracy presented in the book, especially the overt and covert wars with India. Many a times I felt the strength of India has been undermined. Probably the author reflected his sense of insecurity.

Musharraf has played it to the gallery by repeatedly conveying anti India rhetoric....he had his target audience in mind. I am sure the book must have sold li...more

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Sep 23, 2009

Aditi Agarwal rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone who would like a different perspective of things and can handle it maturely

Shelves: didnt-cudnt-finish

Pervez Musharraf talks about himself ... Which is good ... but is he really speaking the truth, thats what all Indians would like to know ...

Almost every war, every disaster in Pakistan has been blamed on India ... Which is fair enough coming from a Pakistani (obviously he's not going to say - "We attacked India") ... A different perspective for any Indian ... It somehow gets very sugary in the middle as Pervez tries to show he is perfect - he did nothing wrong at any point...more

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Dec 25, 2009

Tom rated it

· review of another edition

One word: Narcissism.

Musharraf did two things really right in writing this book: He provided a gripping narrative of the events that lead up to his assuming leadership of Pakistan in 1999 and His reflections on the world into which Pakistan was shoved following September 11 2001 are unique and quite valuable to anyone seeking to understand a crazy time in a corner of the world about which everyone seems to hold an opinion without actually having a foundation of understanding.
...more

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Jul 27, 2011

Ronald Wise rated it

· review of another edition

While not knowing how much self-aggrandizing spin to suspect Musharraf of in his account of his life and leadership in Pakistan, it was still very informative to read his perspective on recent events there, and the implications of the American "War on Terror". I now have a better understanding of the geography and culture there, and a greater respect for the ethnic/religous problems his nation faces. It's too bad, though, that this book was written three years ago — I'd love to know hi...more

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Jun 19, 2007

Heliya Azita rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: peacecommunitiesclub@yahoogroups.co.uk

Pervez Musharraf
is Last Hope for pakistan

like 2 likes

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Aug 27, 2007

Asma marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Pakistan Zindabad!

like 1 like

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Oct 05, 2008

Will rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, biography-autobiography-memoir

Boy does this guy think a lot of himself. His boasting is enough to make one want to reach for a very long feather and bring forth one’s latest meal. He seems never to tire, for instance, when telling about his childhood, of reporting that he got the highest grades in this or that subject. It makes me wonder if there is not some deep-seated insecurity which he is trying to mask by doing so. Errors are in short supply here. He describes his rambunctousness as being “naughty.” It was a struggle t...moreBoy does this guy think a lot of himself. His boasting is enough to make one want to reach for a very long feather and bring forth one’s latest meal. He seems never to tire, for instance, when telling about his childhood, of reporting that he got the highest grades in this or that subject. It makes me wonder if there is not some deep-seated insecurity which he is trying to mask by doing so. Errors are in short supply here. He describes his rambunctousness as being “naughty.” It was a struggle to complete the thing. I kept hoping for bits of analysis that could not be mistaken for blame. I also found myself wondering, as he describes this death and that explosion whether he was not himself the responsible party.

His tale of the coup that brought him to power is compelling reading, even if one gets the sense that there are many things being left out. Of interest is his description of Pakistan’s geopolitical issues. He was quite offended by the terse manner in which Colin Powell and Richard Armitage demanded Pakistani help, but says that he considered all the factors involved and decided that it was in the interest of Pakistan to help the USA. But he remains annoyed that he has not been given what he believes to be proper recognition for all that Pakistan has accomplished, from being one of the few nations in a position to communicate with the Taliban to the large number of al Qaeda captured in Pakistan, many of whom have been handed over to the USA. He does talk about the provincial areas and addresses the problems of governance that these places present, noting that the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is quite porous, has ever been thus, and that the areas on both sides of the border are populated by the same ethic group. As usual, he presents as rosy as possible a picture of Pakistan efforts and results. He blames his predecessors, of course, for aiding the Taliban, but notes that even the USA supported the Taliban for a time, based on the group’s ability to bring a sort of order to the tribal chaos that ruled in that unfortunate nation after the Soviets had been driven out. He makes no note of the notion that it was in the Pakistan’s interest to keep Afghanistan from developing into too strong a country. He pointed out that Pakistan had a natural antipathy toward the Northern Alliance, as they are made up of ethnic groups other than the Pashtun that dominate in Pakistan, and in the Taliban. He also makes light of the activities of A.Q. Khan, as if distributing nuclear technology to sundry third-world nations was not a crime of the highest order. Does anyone actually believe that Khan did his thing without the ok of Musharraf?

One item of gruesome interest was that in one of the assassination attempts made on him, the bomber’s face, yes his face, blew off. It was brought to plastic surgeons who figured out what it had looked like over a skull and used that in helping identify him. There is a photo of the loose face in the book, surreal.

This book significantly altered my view of Musharraf. Despite the fact that he came to power via coup d’etat, I had believed that he was, at heart, a decent sort, whose interest really was the security of his country. I could understand that he did not expend his political capital in attempting to gain control of the border provinces, as it certainly seems that they are uncontrollable. But after reading this book, instead of a national leader struggling to cope with contradictory demands, I see instead a confirmed egotist, maybe even a sociopath, charming for sure, but concerned with only one thing, Musharraf. While the governance of Pakistan today (October 2008) may be chaotic, and may, ultimately, result in more harm than would have been the case under Musharraf’s continued rule, it is still queasy-making to justify the continuation in power of this guy based on the view that while he may be a son of a bitch he is our son of a bitch. He is no one’s son of a bitch but his own.
(less)

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Aug 12, 2008

Jeremy Baker rated it

· review of another edition

If you enjoy whitewashed history, lies of omission, and explorations of the ways in which one can rationalize keeping a brutal dictator in power, you will love this book.

Those of us with our Bergeron Handicaps disengaged, however, will recognize it as a desperate attempt to clean up the image of a truly evil man. General Musharraf has been hailed as a staunch ally in the war on terror, while the reality is that Musharraf consistently suborns terrorist organizations in Pakistans nort...more

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Jun 20, 2011

Rock Angel marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: loc-india, loc-pakistan

intro
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/books/...

the dirt
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

http://globalnewsblog.com/arc/?p=38606 (yet to read)

discourse
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes....

interview (i haven't read)
http://www.cbsnews.com/2102-18560_162-20...

excerpt:

· see review

Feb 14, 2010

Greg rated it

· review of another edition

President's Musharraf's own biography, seems to have been written in a hurry, but also gives a fascinating insight into his own views and perceptions about his experience as president of Pakistan 1999-2008. Clearly from the point of view of a leader of Pakistan, but I learned a lot about issues of intelligence and pressures from the USA on Pakistan in the early and mid 2000s, that were not written about in the media.

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Mar 22, 2011

Elisabeth rated it

· review of another edition

Pervez Musharraf was a golden light in the history of Pakistan... at least according to Pervez Musharraf. It was an interesting read, it only to get a sense of how easy it is to persuade yourself that you are right. Despite how uncomfortable it was to read yet another personal brag, his chapter on counter terrorism efforts in Pakistan was enlightening.

like 1 like

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Sep 28, 2010

T.P. Williams rated it

· review of another edition

Very readable, obviously self-serving. Combination autobiography and memoir. Some parts patently unbelievable, such as account of A.Q. Khan, nuclear scientist. Anti-Indian bias unintentionally funny at times. Nevertheless gives interesting insight into middle eastern and Islamic mindset.

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Nov 21, 2009

Mansoor Azam rated it

· review of another edition

third rate book. probaly isn t written by the man. parts of it are borish to the extreme. it seems more of a defence than a memoir. A must buy if u want to waste yr money.

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Sep 20, 2010

RoHullAH RaHiMi rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, english

The first part is very interesting and funny, but as we read more and more the politic staff start increasing and it will get a little boring for people like me who dont like or enjoy politic staff. Overall a very good book.

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Jun 12, 2008

Armour Craig rated it

· review of another edition

A solid autobiography, though it is obvious that English is a second language. There is a multitude of his stories that begin with, "One day..." I noticed that a lot!

Very interesting stories throughout his life, however. I think this shows a side of Gen Musharraf that most people do not know or do not want to invest the time to find out. He seems like a genuinely good soul who cares deeply about his country and especially about his (and his Army's) service to Pakistan. ...more

like 1 like

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Mar 05, 2009

Mohit Garg rated it

· review of another edition

Very funny. Highly hilarious.
The person should not be a president but should be a comedian..

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Aug 12, 2011

Pamela added it · review of another edition

To keep this review short and to the point ... No, I didn't like this book.

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Apr 10, 2010

Arbab Sikandar rated it

· review of another edition

Musharraf had coup on his mind long before 13/10/1999.

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Nov 15, 2011

Abduljabbar rated it

· review of another edition

....ok

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Oct 14, 2008

Ramesh rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: MORONS

Recommended to Ramesh by: A MORON

THIS CANT BE IN THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY GENRE......

ITS FICTION AND MAYBE A COMBINATION OF THRILLER AND HUMOR

Do you know India is responsible for all the Woes that Pakistan faces......of course we caused the damned earthquake.....We forced them to be friends with Al qaeeda, paavam they had no iota of what was happening.....Welcome to the new trillion $ eceonomy in the world....PAKISTAN

GET A BREAK MUSHY!!!!!

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Mar 07, 2008

Tahir rated it

· review of another edition

I got this book as a gift from my uncle.although at start i was very enthusiastic about reading it and i read it in just two or three sittings,but to say the truth it is simply collection of self praisng pages.So dont waste your time and money in reading and buying this peace of filth.

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Aug 22, 2011

Sameer Inamdar added it · review of another edition

Nice to read

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May 19, 2007

Alejandro rated it

· review of another edition

the man does like to toot his own horn...but if you survive two assassination attempts, I guess you are entitled to do so.
interesting first hand tale of how a man went from the military to leading his nation.

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Sep 03, 2007

Nishank Modi rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: No

Shelves: sub-continentalreads

Its difficult to come across a book which is as poorly written or edited as this.

To top it off, it is less an an autobiography and more of self idolism.

The book starts and ends with " I "

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Dec 11, 2007

Becky rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: middle-east-and-south-asia, nonfiction

interesting to see how musharraf explains himself. but he's arrogant and this book isn't really factual at all. but it's a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a tyrant.

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Oct 23, 2008

Jeevarathna Anand rated it

· review of another edition

The ex-president of Pakistan boldly hints that the whole world has been conspiring against his country form time immemorial. a rather immature blame-game book.

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Dec 16, 2007

Manju Upadhyaya rated it

· review of another edition

expected real fire but turned out to be just a little spark. Got to know the across the border view of situations like the Kargil war.

· see review

Jul 29, 2011

Sikander rated it

Musharaf, you really need to know how to write a book. Not at all impressive.

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May 08, 2011

Bob Daugherty rated it

· review of another edition

For those interested in the Middle east affairs during the Iraqi war.

· see review

Feb 07, 2008

Zadarbar rated it

· review of another edition

i gain a true experince about pakistani politics

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About Pervez Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf (Urdu: پرويز مشرف), NI, HI, was the twelfth President of Pakistan. Previously, he was Chief Executive of Pakistan as well as former Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. On 18 August 2008, in a nationally-televised speech, he announced his resignation as President of Pakistan.

He seized power in 1999 by effecting a military coup d'état and has suspended the constitu...more

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