The book provides insights into the society, polity, and literary ethos of Pakistan within the broader South Asian context. An attempt has been made to place the issues faced by Pakistan and South Asian Muslim societies in the current global human condition which is increasingly defined by terrorism, invasions, absolutism, and inequality. Although the essays encompass a broad canvas, they also possess a definite focus capturing Pakistans social and political history from the beginning to the present times, including how people are impacted by major political upheavals and social events, and how some individuals contribute in shaping both events and narratives. Within the broader narrative is woven an analysis of religious extremism, sectarianism, persecution of minorities, ethnic strife, provincial separatism, and shrinking of cultural and intellectual space.