Tab Article

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Political Memoir, Biography, History, South Asian Politics, Nonfiction

Book Review:
''If I Am Assassinated...'' is not just a book; it is a seismic document of modern South Asian history, penned by one of its most charismatic and controversial figures from the shadow of the gallows. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of the Pakistan People's Party and a central player in regional politics, uses these pages to deliver his final, unflinching analysis of the nation he led.

Written with a potent mix of legal argument, political prophecy, and raw emotion, the book is Bhutto's defense against the charges that would lead to his execution. He dissects the ''coup-gemony'' of military rule, warns of impending turmoil, and lays bare what he sees as a grand betrayal. The quotes are incendiary and prophetic, touching on Pakistan's nuclear ambition, its relationship with India (including the Simla Agreement), and the fragility of democracy in the post-colonial world.

More than a personal memoir, it is a crucial primary source for understanding the political crises of Pakistan in the 1970s. Pran Chopra's introduction provides valuable context. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in South Asian history, political leadership, the dynamics of power, and the poignant voice of a condemned leader writing for posterity. It is a haunting and indispensable work.