Customer Reviews

Jinnah of Pakistan

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book provides a very thorough examination of Jinnah's history and his involvement in South Asian politics, from joint opposition to British with the Hindu politicians, to his advocacy for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan). It is one of the few books that exposes the good and not so good qualities of both Hindu and Muslim leaders of the time (Jinnah, Nehru and Gandhi). And presents Jinnah as a pragmatic leader who was not interested in splitting up India for the sake of his own power as has been suggested. Instead the book illustrates how the Muslims of India were 2nd class citizens even during British rule and due the inevitable circumstances brought about by the British and the ensuing tensions between Hindus and Muslims, Jinnah pursued the only viable course at the time. An absolute must read for students of politics and history of South Asia

I think most of the other readers have made a good case of why this book is such a great read. The status of Jinnah has attained mythic proportions in a society (Pakistan) where there is a complete lack of heroes to look up to. Unfortunately this means that Jinnah tends to be treated as some kind of prophet of Islam sent down to earth to liberate the muslims from the dual tyranny of the British and the Hindus. Wolpert peels away the cover to reveal the real Jinnah, a true hero and an infinitely more interesting personality then what most people in his home country know and believe.
I also find it intriguing that the two people who found the book bad enough to rate it a one did not have the decency to put their names to their reviews. This is a great book for anybody interested in the history of the sub-continenet, anonymous reviews to the contrary not withstanding.

Before I read this book, I knew Jinnah only through the Pakistani text books I had read as a schoolboy, which present a rather 'monolithical' image of this man. Children in Pakistan grow up thinking of him as some sort of an Islamic angel bestowed with superhuman powers; someone who cruised to victory demolishing every un-Islamic obstacle and opposition in his path to ultimately carve out a separate country for the Muslims of India. Ironically, this angelic image of Jinnah belittles his accomplishments, the true worth of which can only be fully appreciated when viewed through the prism of his human weaknesses. Jinnah was a frail man. A physically weak man. A dying man. He also had little emotional comfort, apart from his sister's undying affection. He lived a lonely and painful life, yet gave enough strength to an entire nation to stand and be counted.

Wolpert's book revealed Jinnah the Man to me. Each chapter slowly peeled away the synthetic and chaste facade of Jinnah to reveal a real flesh and blood human with all his physical and emotional shortcomings. Jinnah's true triumph lay in his ability to rise above these weaknesses and then to change the course of history.

I was greatly moved by this book. I have more respect for Jinnah today then I ever had. And I have Stanley Wolpert to thank for it.

Perhaps the best work on the man M A Jinnah- one of the least known personalites in history. Impartial, engrossing and detailed. A must for anyone interested in South Asian History.

Stanley Wolpert's work is the most authentic and comprehensive biography of Jinnah, a man who thru his sheer determination, almost single handedly changed the map of the world and created the largest ( at that time) muslim nation in the world. Stanley Wolpert has written other biographies too ( Jawaherlal Nehru, Zulfie Bhutto )but this is his best work. There are other books on Jinnah but none as comprehensive as this one.
Of particular interest is the rare glimpse of the personal life of this most private person, especially his marriage to the vivacious "flower of Bombay" Ruttie which ended, sadly, in a divorce and her tragic death on her 29th birthday.

Stanley Wolpert's best work as he says : Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation state Muhammad Ali Jinnah did all three.

Though Stanley Wolpert fails in explaining why Jinnah converted from being a fervent ambassador of Hindu Muslim unity to apostle of Pakistan, his work nevertheless is definitive, though I believe Ayesha jalal has her thumb on the actual pulse of the issue in her book...

The most comprehensive, most honest and factual account of Jinnah's life and times. The multi-faceted personality of this brilliant lawyer and politician has been graphically captured. The tribulations and 'lows' Jinnah had to suffer throughout his life were a true eye opener for me. It's difficult to find these real-life, 3D accounts of Jinnah's life as most of the material out there has passed through official Pakistan government sources which ensure a pristine, monolithic view of Jinnah. Ironically, it's Jinnah's perseverence in the face of hopelessness and failure which ultimately make him larger than life, rather than his never-failed, Superman image in Pakistan which belittles his true struggle. Hats off to Stanley Wolpert.

This was the first real book I have ever read concerning the life of M.A. Jinnah. Though it was a bit dry at times and seemed to bog down in politcal schemes, over all I was glad I had bought the book. Jinnah is a man who seems to be ingnored in a society fascinated by Gandhi and Nehru. Though this book didn't go into more of the personal life of the man as I whished it would have, it was still an excellent read, and it helped me gain a clearer picture of this man.

bou

The book is I believe the first that sheds appropriate light on Jinnah. Stanley Wolpert seems to be biased towards Jinnah, although he attempts to adopt an evenhanded approach to the man.

If you want to know what are the factors and events that led to the division of the subcontinent from 1800 to 1947 AD, about the Jinnah and his personality, the Congress and Mulsim League struggles, and the birth of the issue of Kashmir (toward the end of the book) then this is the definitive book. He also puts Gandhi in a proper perspective, which is very even handed giving fair analysis of a man who was at times great and others very demotic.

The book is a thoroughly enjoyable read and is not tedious or laborious at any point. Its is fast moving and narrates the events, categorizing the chapters by the year in chronological fashion, which makes is easy to follow.

Caution: you should have an idea of the location of the provinces of the sub continent (what is India and Pakistan) to be really able to enjoy the book.

Happy reading!

Stanley Wolpert has given a very revealing, historical perspective on the man, who almost single-handedly led to the creation of Pakistan from British India. Wolpert has revealed Jinnah's personality to be one of integrity, great determination and personal courage. A recommended reading for all who are interested in the historical account of the partition of India.