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In the Line of Fire: A Memoir | 
 enlarge | Author: Pervez Musharraf
Publisher: Free Press
Category: Book
List Price: $28.00
Buy Used: $2.53
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Rating:  133 reviews
Sales Rank: 94902
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 368
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4
ISBN: 0743283449
Dewey Decimal Number: 954.91053
EAN: 9780743283441
ASIN: 0743283449
Publication Date: September 25, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: ex-library average wear
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Product Description
If it is almost unprecedented for a head of state to publish a memoir while still in office, Pervez Musharraf is no ordinary head of state. As the president of Pakistan since 1999, he occupies the most dangerous job in the world, and he continues to play a crucial role in the global war on terror. A former commando who was born just four years before the creation of Pakistan, Musharraf grew up with his country. He rose through army ranks, serving a bewildering succession of military and democratic regimes, and reached the apex of the world's most populous Islamic state at a time of growing Muslim militancy. A onetime supporter of the Taliban, a general who fought in several wars, President Musharraf took a decisive turn against militant Islam in 2001. Since then he has survived two assassination attempts; rooted out militants in his own government; helped direct countless raids against Al Qaeda both in his cities and in the mountains; and tracked Osama Bin Laden with technical and human intelligence. When you hold the world's most dangerous job, you have little left to lose - - and as a result, In the Line of Fire is astonishingly revealing and honest about dozens of topics of intense interest to the world. Among its many revelations: exactly how Pakistani authorities tracked down and smashed three major Al Qaeda command-and-control centers in the mountains; how Al Qaeda's many-layered structure was revealed after the assassination attempts; how Osama Bin Laden's communication network was breached, and how his subsequent courier network was compromised; why Bin Laden is no longer in charge of Al Qaeda, and yet why his capture is so sensitive; why the costs of the Iraq War have been so great for the west, and for moderate Muslims; what the interrogations of A.Q. Khan have revealed; what it has been like to deal with the Bush Administration; how Pakistan and India have avoided nuclear confrontation; and much more. The terrible earthquake of 2005, killing nearly 40,000 Pakistanis, is just one chapter in a life and career that has been filled with danger and drama. The worldwide launch of President Musharraf 's memoir, which begins with its American publication, promises to be a sensation.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 128 more reviews...
 Engaging but honest? September 26, 2006
Jvalant N. Sampat (Princeton, NJ)
210 out of 289 found this review helpful
It is not too often that a sitting head of state pens his memoirs while still in office. Both Indian and Pakistani readers should keep this in mind. It is extremely naive of Indian readers to expect a Pakistani President and incumbent Army Chief to actually criticize the Pakistani midadventure of Kargil or be completely honest about it. Isn't it also equally naive of Pakistani readers to expect anything but a flummoxed reaction from Indians given the fact that the Pakistani leader is pushing for peace with India? Coming to the book itself - is it engaging? Yes, it is. Is it honest? Depends on your definition of "honest". This book is obviously ghost-written with a fair bit of input from Mush. If "honesty" means facts, than the book is a bit lacking - because Musharraf comes across as an extremely opinionated man. He castigates everyone from Z.A. Bhutto, his daughter Benazir to Nawaz Sharif, his brothers and even his old father and potrays himself as the saviour of Pakistan - on opinions, not facts. He also credits himself with the alleged turnaround of the Pakistani economy. I would have been more impressed if the book had stated facts and let the reader decide what he or she thinks of the General. What I can say is that Musharraf comes across as intensely patriotic and definitely not as a religious zealot. He sure has a tendency to make rather sensationalist remarks; even insinuating (he does not say it flat out) that India may have actually stolen centrifuge designs from - ahem - discarded Pakistani ones. Does he provide proof of that? No - but then, it is an insinuation and not an assertion. Nor do I think many Pakistani readers would be happy with his potrayal of disgraced scientist A.Q. Khan. Positively, I like the General's "out of box" Kashmir solution. He makes it clear that it is his "personal suggestion" and not the official line of the Govt. of Pakistan. Will the people of India and Pakistan accept his suggestion given that it is progressive? I don't think it would be acceptable in the immediate future - it is way too much, way too soon and requires the kind of trust between foes that can't be built overnight. But due credit to the General for trying. From the American point of view, there is nothing new to add. Perhaps the only damp squib is the Armitage message - it does ring eery and one hopes it is an exception and not a message which set a precedent on how to win allies. Armitage ofcourse, has denied making those remarks.
Do I think it is worth a buy? Sure, if nothing else, it is definitely worth a read. It gives you an insight into the mind of a leader who thinks he is great. I have reservations about that but I do believe he is in a unique position in the world. How is that? Well, he is the current Islamic poster boy of Bush - a moderate, liberal-minded leader of a nation whose population (major part of) is not necessarily moderate in its views toward the USA. What's more - he is fighting for the American line of thought at personal risk to life and limb. 9/11 gave him the chance to reverse the trend of him being treated as an international pariah who overthrew a democractically elected government. Remember Clinton refusing to shake hands with him? He reversed the trend by supporting the US and abandoning support of the Taliban. It was a smart move - he did not have much of a choice in the matter. As of writing this review, the book is #6 on Amazon sales. Thanks to its controversial views, it may just hit #1. Who gets the last laugh? The General of course :)
I find it a touch amusing that many Indians are giving the book 1 star and Pakistanis are giving it 5 stars (probably without EITHER of them reading it). I hope both sides see this as a book. It has its share of flaws but is still imminently readable. Is it being used for propoganda? Only if you let the author and publisher use you. I am sure you are smart enough to come to your own conclusions without having to beat the drums of war at the drop of a hat.
 Interesting book! I think most of the Indians criticizing the book have not even read it. September 29, 2006
PeaceLover (Florida, USA)
43 out of 59 found this review helpful
Its a very interesting book. I would say a must read for all Americans so we can understand the complexities of global war on terrorism. I was going to write a long review but some of the comments from Indians are really bizarre. I have a lot of Indian friends but I've noticed that when it comes to Pakistan, a logical Indian mind becomes completely illogical and irrational. This senseless hate got to stop at some point and both people need to move forward with a comprehensive (both physical and mental) peace accord. I hope sensible people from both sides understand that the only way out is peace and justice for all. Cheers!
Of great topical interest, but a typical soldier's story nevertheless-told in a soldier's style. September 26, 2006
mscommerce
41 out of 57 found this review helpful
This autobiography of President Pervez Musharraf is a must read for all followers of Pakistan, and indeed, it will be of great interest to politics watchers in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.
The book is refreshing and charming, not the least because Gen. Musharraf is so open about the details of his life, and his scrapes with trouble as a youngster.
The tone of the book also is clearly that of an extroverted 'Army type' with many a boast of past victories and juicy war stories. This is part of its charm, for it greatly humanizes Pres. Musharraf, and one gets the feeling of somebody who is self-confident, boisterous, and quick to shoot from the hip with his opinions, in other words, a bluff plain-spoken soldier.
Speaking strictly as a civilian (and an Indian one at that) this book confirms that Pres. Musharraf is very happily a 'guppe baaz' (as one would say in Urdu, i.e. a spinner of tales) whenever he wants to be.
I strongly disagree with his glowing account of the Pakistan Army's performance in Kargil, but on the other hand, as he is currently the Chief of Army Staff in Pakistan, it would be quite dishonorable of him to let down his men (jawans) and instead criticize their performance.
No leader can decently do that, least of all a leader of soldiers.
All in all, a very interesting book, which conveys an impression of a likeable, if shrewd and savvy, personality.
I for one would certainly like to see more such topical and current autobiographies written by other members of the South Asian political scene.
 Indians ,Accept the truth. September 27, 2006
Afzal Khan (San Antonio, Texas United States)
41 out of 59 found this review helpful
I found this book full of Knowledge about current events regarding Pakistan like Kargil and Agra Summit.Whatever President is saying,is truth.I read some Indians reviws,as expected left negative remarks. it is in their nature to disagree about every truth about Islamic republic of Pakistan.Their reviews are full of hate and attitude of " I don't believe " even somebody is telling you the truth.But who cares.And some talked about terrorism linked to Pakistan.Look who is talking.Wahtever is going in Sri Lanaka and Balochistan in Pkistan and State Terrorism in Kashmir is due to Indian hands. Everybody knows.
At the end I suggest them to accept Pakistan as reality.and lets live like good neighbours.
A leader made of steel September 28, 2006
Mr. S. Bhatti (UK)
41 out of 65 found this review helpful
Yet again it is so typical and very unfortunate that the Indian propaganda machine has now arrived on Amazon- one can read this from a mile be it an Indian, Pakistani or even others..
An excellent book which truly shows Musharraf as a very moderate leader and a man with principles, and a person who is trying his upmost to modernise Paksitan and educate it's people.
Mr Musharraf is clearing up the mess which unfortunatly the West had left behind when they backed Pakistan and it's secret service to assist and destroy the Soviet's ambition..they left Pakistan to pick up the pieces when we completed their task in the name of peace and humanity..therefore he is doing an oustanding job in clearing up the mess which originally was created by the West..
Whilst his troops were patrolling the Western borders, Mr Vajpayee decided to send 1 million Indian troops at the Kashmir border "This will be a swift battle" quoted Mr Vajpayee, yet Musharraf's stern warning to India made them retreat to their barracks... yet again.
This man stood at our borders from Army Cadet to Commando and has protected Pakistan whilst we happily slept in our homes within Pakistan- he did not buy himself into Power unlike our previous leaders did. I salute Mr Musharraf- may he live 100 years for he is the only and true patrotic leader of Pakistan. The only leader who genuinely does not fear his neighbours yet at the same time wishes to make peace for the sake of humanity.
Indians commenting on this book -do us a favour- GROW UP and accept reality for a change
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