Pakistan: Roots, Perspective, and Genesis

In this history of the Indian subcontinent, retired Pakistani naval officer Zia aims to correct what he sees as the West's loathing of Islam and favoritism toward India. Zia (Muslims and the West: A Muslim Perspective) covers everything from Alexander the Great's invasion to British colonialism. He focuses on the century before independence, emphasizing that partition was essential to protect the minority Muslims. As proof, he argues that Hindus were largely responsible for the massive massacres following British withdrawal. Zia's history is editorially challenging, teeming with unfamiliar names, events, and battles, long quotes from other authors, speeches, editorials, and irrelevant digressions. The result is a passionate, wildly prejudiced, but sometimes convincing history.