In this book, Stephen Cohen offers a panoramic and intensely biographical portrait of this complex country--from its ideational origins to its present existence as a military-dominated state Pakistan's experiences with uneven growth, political chaos, sectarian violence, and tense relations and nuclear crises with India are also discussed. The book offers the reader nuanced understanding beyond popular impressions in India of Pakistan as nothing more than an army with a country. The volume also answers a critical question which most South Asians, and particularly Indians ask themselves. What makes Pakistan so important in the United State's regional calculus? Can Pakistan join the community of nations as a moderate Islamic state, at peace with its neighbours, or is it waiting to dissolve completely into a failed state, spewing terrorists and nuclear weapons in all directions?

This book will interest political scientists, strategic analysts, policymakers, diplomats, journalists, defence personnel, and general readers.

'The Idea of Pakistan is a must-read; it's a very wise analysis.' - Jaswant Singh, Outlook

'Cohen's work is at once accessible to the lay reader and insightful to those interested in policy debates on Pakistan in the United States, India and beyond.' - C. Raja Mohan, The Indian Express

'The Idea of Pakistan is an intellectual tour de force, a gripping and informative tale about a dangerously flawed but not failed state.' - Dennis Kux, Senior Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

'This is a thorough, balanced and intelligent assessment of Pakistan's crucially important struggle to find stability and a successful modern identity.' -- Steve Coll, Author of Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden.

'Cohen is both an expert and a scholar on the military on strategy, on the region, and non [Pakistan's] politics and history...this book is a must read.' - Thomas R Pickering, Former US Ambassador to India.

'Finally there is a single book that provides a solid comprehensive introduction to Pakistan. The author has a special knack of treating provocatively other wise familiar topics.' - Marvin G Weinbaum, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois.