Magnificent Delusions, Husain Haqqani
Magnificent Delusions, Husain Haqqani
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Magnificent Delusions
Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding

Author: Husain Haqqani

Narrator: Ralph Lister

Unabridged: 14 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/05/2013

Synopsis

A character-driven history that describes the bizarrely ill-suited alliance between America and Pakistan, written by a uniquely insightful participant: Pakistan's former ambassador to the USThe relationship between America and Pakistan is based on mutual incomprehension, and always has been. Pakistan—to American eyes—has gone from being a stabilizing friend to an essential military ally to a seedbed of terror. America—to Pakistani eyes—has been a guarantee of security, a coldly distant scold, an enthusiastic military supplier and ally, and now a threat to national security and a source of humiliation. In their sixty-five year relationship, one country has become a global superpower, the other perilously close to a failed state—perhaps one of the most dangerous places in the world.Husain Haqqani has a unique insight into Pakistan, his homeland, and America, where he was the Pakistani ambassador and is now a professor at Boston University. His life has mapped the relationship of Pakistan and America, and he has found himself often close to the heart of it—sometimes in very confrontational circumstances, even under house arrest—which has allowed him to write the story of the two countries' turbulent affair, here memorably laid bare.

About Husain Haqqani

Husain Haqqani was Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2011. A trusted advisor of late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Ambassador Haqqani is a professor at Boston University and senior fellow and director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute. He also coedits the journal Current Trends in Islamist Ideology. He has written for the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Boston Globe, Financial Times, and others.

About Ralph Lister

Ralph Lister is an actor, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He spent fifteen years in London theater before moving to the United States to focus on film and television. He has held numerous roles in Shakespeare and modern dramas, as well as starring roles in independent films. His voice and character work can be heard in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearland 13 Going On 30. He lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Arun

Friendship is like wine for what stands the test of time becomes a true delight. And again like vintage wine, there are not too many friendships that each of us will cherish. There will be a small select set of people with whom you are utterly comfortable and those moments can never be recreated in......more

Goodreads review by B.J.

Haqqani's explanation of US-Pakistan relations over the past 70 years goes something like this. Pakistan: Hey America, we hate the Commies, give us weapons. USA: OK. Here's some planes, tanks, bombs, and stuff. Pakistan uses those weapons and starts a war against India. They lose. Pakistan: We still hat......more

Goodreads review by Ed

Haqqani, former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States and currently persona non grata (extremely non grata) from his homeland, denounced as a traitor and accused of betraying the Pakistani military in favor of the United States, has no illusions about who runs his native land and who benefits fr......more

Goodreads review by Tariq

Haqqani has produced a gem of a book on the complex US Pakistani relationship. Successive Pakistani governments whether Army or civilian have followed the same policy of grovelling with the US since the creation of Pakistan. Constantly nagging and begging seems to have worked for the Pakistanis over......more

Quotes

“This is a must-read book for anyone who seeks to understand geopolitics in the twenty-first century. Husain Haqqani provides a riveting insider’s account of the complex and critically important relationship between America and Pakistan. He knows both countries well, and his personal insights and objective analysis can help dispel the misunderstandings that are so dangerous.”

Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author and CEO of the Aspen Institute

“Magnificent Delusions provides a fascinating insider’s account of America’s important but troubled relationship with Pakistan. Ambassador Haqqani’s purpose is not to fix blame but to explain how two countries that have for sixty years described themselves as allies can nevertheless misunderstand each other thoroughly and repeatedly. Richly detailed, this skillfully written narrative will enlighten scholars, entrance average readers, and give future diplomats much to contemplate. It is a timely, valuable, and objective book.”

Madeleine Albright

“[An] insightful, painful history of Pakistani-American relations…Demonstrating no mercy to either party, Haqqani admits that Pakistan verges on failed-state status but shows little patience with America’s persistently shortsighted, fruitless policies.”

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Mistrust and cross-purposes characterize relations between Pakistan and the US, writes Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US from 2008 to 2011 and now a Boston University professor, in this insightful if disturbing history…Haqqani concludes that military aid has undermined Pakistan’s democracy, converting it into a rentier state living off American money rather than its people’s productivity.”

Publishers Weekly

“Haqqani uses his wealth of personal experience to present a detailed account of the genesis and evolution of US-Pakistani relations over the last sixty years…A useful resource for academics, journalists, and policymakers at all levels.”

Library Journal

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