Magnificent Delusions

Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding

By: Husain Haqqani

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

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 US.

The 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, hishomeland, 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.

©2013 Hussani Haqqani (P)2013 Blackstone Audiobooks

Superb

Would you consider the audio edition of Magnificent Delusions to be better than the print version?

The audio was very well done. Vision problems have made the comparison a moot point.

What did you like best about this story?

It was comprehensive and unbelievably even-handed on an explosively sensitive subject.

Which character – as performed by Ralph Lister – was your favorite?

N.A. It was a first person account by the author.

If you could give Magnificent Delusions a new subtitle, what would it be?

I think the subtitle was quite apt.

Any additional comments?

The book was up to date, absorbing and surprisingly hopeful. Many years ago, I spent two years living in Pakistan as part of a medical research team. I have followed events very closely ever since then with a very skeptical eye. I always worried that the country might implode and drag the neighborhood and possibly the whole world down with it. Of course, Pakistan is not the only flash point; it's just one of the ones I am most familiar with. Additionally, I might add that the United States' involvement in that area of the world has been far from reassuring. The author's allusion to our mutual delusions is very well taken and very courageous.

Book review

A very objective description of relationship between two countries which tried to use each other.

Must read

An eye opener that challenges various myths surrounding the US-Pak relationship over the years. Enjoy.

Showing a mirror

Mr. Haqqani’s book is an eye opener for any true Pakistani patriot. Forget all the lies you have been told and push for representative government that reflects the will of the common people, not the mullah or the generals.

Excellent book on US Pakistan relations

This is an excellent book on US Pakistan relations from the partition of India and the independence of Pakistan to the Cold War and the war on terrorism. India was central to Pakistani thinkers thinking while the Cold War and the war on terror was the priority for the Americans. The military civilian divide in Pakistan is always powerful as well as the personal chemistry between the various stakeholders. An excellent book.

Mumbling, stumbling, & bumbling foreign relations

70 years of stumbling, grumbling, bumbling, and mumbling. No permanent allies, only permanent interests.

This 2013 history of US/Pakistani relations by former Pakistani Ambassdor to the US Husain Haqqani is darkly comedic because nearly every exchange between US or Pakistani leaders follows this basic script.

"You should give us aid. We can help you fight the communists/terrorists."
"We're willing to give you military aid to help us fight the communists/terrorists."
"Thank you, finally we'll be able to take on India."
"India? No, we said the communists/terrorists."
"Wha? Sorry, can't hear you. Can we have more aid please?"
"Fiiiiiiine...."

Repeat.

Replacing "communists" with "terrorists" gives us the last 20 years or so of US/Pakistani relations. Haqqani comes to the subject with a little too much technocrat baggage insofar as we get far more excerpts from NYT and WaPo editorials than are really useful or insightful. But where he provides direct records of diplomatic exchanges and notes, "Magnificent Delusions" is a compelling, if not terribly encouraging, history of relations between a superpower and a wannabe regional power - each with wildly divergent interests and intentions.

Tour de Force Pakistan Diplomatic History

Excellent history of US relations with the US, India, Afghanistan since before there was a Pakistan. Sorry to say my knowledge about Pakistan was sketchy. This book clearly and succinctly explains why stirred-up religious fervor mattered and matters, how terrorism (both against the Russians and against India, the US, and Pakistani people) has been a way of life, how the military and intelligence service have used propaganda, conspiracy theories, controlled media, and dictatorships to keep the country in a forever-war mindset, with India and Afghanistan as forever-enemies. Bright spots: did not appreciate how central Pakistan was in brokering US-China rapprochement, or how central Pakistan was in bringing about Soviet defeat in Afghanistan (and end of the Cold War). Thankfully the author has done his research and presents his proof convincingly. This should be required reading for US diplomats, as well as Russian, Chinese, Afghan, and Indian diplomats who need to be able to keep peace (or at least avoid nuclear war) in the areas heavily influenced by Pakistan.

Awesome

Pakistan is mislead by Mullahs and politician all know that. It is nice to know the details from the separation to now. I am very impressed by the author.

Excellent review of past and current state

Yes an excellent review,very engaging and informative book.Highly recommend it for every one. Thank you!

It it Delusions or Sleeping with the Enemy

Any additional comments?

I opted to read this book with some skepticism - bordering prejudice - because of the author's switching sides between the two major polarized political parties of Pakistan. Not just that, he orchestrated his career so well that he enjoyed an ambassadorial position with each of the government in power. His standing was further compromised for his alleged involvement in writing a letter to Admiral Mullen to save Pakistan's democracy. I must hasten to add though that by the time I finished this book I was convinced that Mr. Haqqani wrote this book objectively and did not let his personal political life and ambitions eclipse writing about the thorny subject of US-Pakistan relationship.

I read (rather listened) this book for the very purpose of learning more about this sensitive relationship between the two countries that keeps swinging between the two extremes. Mr. Haqqani did a very good job by narrating this long saga (from 1947 to date) with details, facts and research. It sounds true and accurate and I find no reasons to suspect otherwise.
This comment is not a reflection on the book but I felt deeply embarrassed and belittled reading that Pakistan picked up the begging bowl right from its inception and never made a sincere effort to let go off it. Even the previous President, Mr. Zardari, was singing the same song – this time under the tune of a Marshall Plan. I wonder if the author, then an ambassador in US, had anything to orchestrate its melody. An irony again that after more half a century Pakistan and US relationship remains uncertain as ever, in that, they are neither trustworthy friends nor arch rivals.

This comment is essentially about its audio book version. I am not sure if the audio book version was somewhat flawed in the chronology but a few events narrated seemed out of calendar sequence. Also the narration itself lacked in energy and style, hence provided for rather monotonous listening.

The book however has to be judged for the quality and accuracy of its content and it scores high marks on that score.