The Bhutto Dynasty: The Struggle for Power in Pakistan

by Owen Bennett-Jones

A major new investigation into the Bhutto family, examining their influence in Pakistan from the colonial era to the present day“Fluently written, impeccably researched and never short of extraordinary insights, this is a landmark publication.”—Farzana Shaikh, Literary Review

The Bhutto family has long been one of the most ambitious and powerful in Pakistan. But politics has cost the Bhuttos dear. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, widely regarded as the most talented politician in the country’s history, was removed from power in 1977 and executed two years later, at the age of 51. Of his four children, three met unnatural Shahnawaz was poisoned in 1985 at the age of 27; Murtaza was shot by the police outside his home in 1996, aged 42; and Benazir Bhutto, who led the Pakistan Peoples Party and became Prime Minister twice, was killed by a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi in 2007, aged 54.   Drawing on original research and unpublished documents gathered over twenty years, Owen Bennett-Jones explores the turbulent existence of this extraordinary family, including their volatile relationship with British colonialists, the Pakistani armed forces, and the United States.

Genres: History, Pakistan, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, Middle East, Audiobook

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐

GENRE - NON FICTION

PAGES - 319

Owen Bennett - Jones the author has previously worked with the BBC and is a specialist when it comes to subjects of politics in the sub continent especially Pakistan.

About the Book - The book starts with the assisnation of Benazir Bhutto. The Bhutto's were originally Sindhi Hindus from the Sindh region of Bombay Presidency in British India.

They were Zamindars and rose to prominence during British rule by being pro British. They later converted to Islam and participated in the politics of the region.
The book covers the life of Mir Gulam Murtaza Bhutto, Shahnawaz Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto could have become a successful politician if he had worked in partnership with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman however he was highly egoistic and wouldn't let go of his pride which brought his down fall.

Benezir on the other hand was never accepted as a leader because in Islam a woman cannot be the head of state and the radicalised elements of the society were running behind her head since 1989 the year she first became the Prime Minister accidentally. Which means Pakistan will never have a woman Prime Minister or President ever.

The book is worth reading as it is detailed and well researched and also unbiased towards anyone from the Bhutto family.

Thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic piece of work.
Thank you ❤️🙏🌺

[W]

The book is yet to be published.Even though the story of the Bhutto dynasty is very familiar to me,I think journalist Owen Bennett Jones can still add some new angles.

Would like to read his take on the Benazir assassination.Also,his views on Asif Zardari,Benazir Bhutto's husband and former president and the political career of Bilawal,Benazir's son could be interesting.

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author sets out in the beginning with the aim of unravelling why dynastic politics is so much popular in Pakistan and Soth Asia, but by the end of the book does not answer his own question. But he did present an extremely engaging history of the Bhutto family across the generations starting before the Partition to the present, which alone makes the book a riveting read.

In the absence of strong institutions in Pakistan (apart from the Pak Army), political parties belong to a particular family. The family political patriarch/matriarch demands absolute loyalty and only loyalty is rewarded. No other attribute of any party minion is encouraged, making it almost impossible for the party to survive without the ruling family. MQM is a classical example. Without Altaf Hussain, it has almost disappeared from the political scene. PTI is claiming to be non-dynastic, which is wrong as without IK it will dissolve in thin air.

The importance of family in the Pakistani culture is huge, so why is it that most Pakistanis don't seem to understand the importance of dynastic politics especially in the rural areas?

[Karun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is riveting in details about one of Pakistan's most famous and controversial family. Right in the start it states "At around 1PM on 27th December, 2007 Benazir Bhutto was informed that someone would try to kill her that day. This warning came from none other than the head of ISI in Pakistan". The book goes on to trace the relationship between Benazir and Asif Zardari. Further, it talks about the experiences of their children Bilawal, Aseefa and Bakhtawar. All of this while also giving a ring side view of Pakistan's politics which the family was so much involved in.

Overall, it's a good book to understand the politics of Pakistan and the Bhutto family.

[Nikita Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding- throughly researched and very well presented.

An engaging history of Pakistan through the lives of Shahnawaz, Zulfikar and Benazir Bhutto with a concluding chapter on Asif Zardari’s presidency.

The Bhutto family is endlessly fascinating and Jones has done an excellent job of documenting their lives in a balanced way

[Petrina Binney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I opened this biography of the Bhutto family with very little knowledge of the Pakistani political dynasty.

There’s no doubting the thoroughness of the research nor the understanding and insight of the author. The narrative is well-constructed, and the various family members, understandable and well-rounded. Even when their methods are underhand or their morals dubious, you come away with a real understanding of their motivations.

“To take just one example of how he (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) handled himself at this time, when asked how he, a major landowner, could promise land reform if he was not prepared to give up his own land straight away, he took off his jacket and threw it to the crowd. As people fought top grab it, the jacket was torn to shreds. Then Bhutto spoke: if he gave away his land straight away, that is what would happen and no one would get any. But when there were laws and systems in place, he would happily guide up his land for redistribution.”

Page 61, Chapter 2 Zulfikar’s Ascent, The Bhutto Dynasty by Owen Bennett-Jones

With so many larger than life, charismatic characters in the Bhutto clan, there was a danger that this book might read more like an epic saga than a political biography, but the author has such an authoritative voice and command of his subject that the reader is left with a comprehensive appreciation of Pakistan, from its inception to the twenty-first century.

A fascinating read, I would have liked a separate timeline at the beginning or end of the book, to give me a clearer understanding of what year we were in at any given point, but otherwise, an incredible book, full of drama and tragedy.

[Ali Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books for knowing about the brutal games played in Pakistani political spheres for gaining control. Bhutto family is very influential and known to every person who belongs to Pakistan. But what role that family has been playing or had played even before the creation of the country, is little known to laymen. This book provides its readers with all the historical knowledge that enriches the readers with the history of the Bhutto family beyond traditional narratives about the family.

[VJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched book on one of the those extremely controversial , intricate dynasties in Pakistan that has always made head turns , because the Bhutto family has been endlessly mysterious in one sense

It gives a full fledged account of Shah Nawaz , Zulfikar and Benazir in a non-biased manner and emphasizes on their personality- flaws, strengths as well as the fluidity of Pakistani politics with legit citations

It's also interesting to note that the Bhutto ancestry was apparently linked to Hindus (the Rajputs), and the PPP (Pakistan People's party) symbol was once a Sanskrit carving on one of the pillars in Rajasthan, although this was sheer coincidence

[Ciaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen Bennett-Jones provides us with an even handed account of the Bhutto dynasty, which is quite a feat considering the polarising nature of the family.

My favourite chapters were on Zulfikar, whose internal contradictions are well captured. In his early political years, Zulfikar easily navigated disparate social milieux by espousing anti-imperialist, socialist rhetoric on one hand, whilst simultaneously praising the virtues of the pro-US, right-wing military dictatorship that he was serving in. Some might describe this behaviour as inauthentic and playing politics. From the little I know about Zulfikar I imagine he would frame this as pragmatism for the greater good (i.e. to enable his political ascendancy and subsequent enactment of policies to the benefit of the Pakistani people).

From Bennett-Jones’s presentation of Zulfikar, he comes across as frequently misogynistic, obsequious (only when politically expedient) and self-assured, verging on narcissistic. However he also appears driven by a deeper concern for the freedom and well-being of his people. He gave a voice to the dispossessed, advocating for both the rural peasantry and urban proletariat. He seemed to embody the spirit of decolonisation championed by the likes of Sukarno and Césaire. Whether this embodiment was heartfelt or simply for political expediency I am not sure.

Zulfikar purportedly subscribed to the politics of liberation. This description however seems incongruent with his admiration of strongmen, his romanticising of doing battle with India (with the Kashmiris being casualties of this behaviour), and his intransigence when refuting the Sheikh’s right to form a government, despite the Awami League receiving a majority in the 1970 election. It also appears that Zulfikar unwittingly oversaw the accelerated islamisation of Pakistan (despite his limited religiosity) in an attempt to mollify the far-right islamist parties. The ramifications of these decisions are palpable today for Pakistan’s oppressed religious minorities.

In this portrayal, Zulfikar comes across as a highly flawed and all too human character. In terms of domestic policy, his social democratic reforms improved the livelihoods of Pakistanis, and for this reason he could be argued to be Pakistan’s greatest prime-minister. These reforms notwithstanding, his role in General Ayub’s oppressive military dictatorship followed by his contribution to the commencement of the horrific 1971 war leaves his legacy rightly tarnished.

Whilst being born in the feudal, aristocratic Bhutto family certainly opened opportunities for Zulfikar, I think he was he own man and not merely the next scion of a long dynasty. The differences between his politics (nominally socialist, anti-imperialist, anti-Indian but not anti-Hindu) contrasted markedly with his father (pro-Raj, conservative, anti-Hindu). Unlike her father, I believe that Benazir does not come across as her own person in quite the same way. Admittedly, this must have been challenging, with Zulfikar’s legacy overshadowing her life, to a greater degree than his father’s overshadowed his.

In the moments leading up to her father’s execution, Benazir commits to honouring her father’s memory and continuing his legacy to make Pakistan a democracy (through the political party he founded, the Pakistani People’s Party, PPP). I find this commitment fascinating, as the ideological chasm between Benazir and her father, may be greater than that of Zulfikar and his. Whilst Zulfikar espoused anti-US-imperialist and pro-socialist rhetoric, Benazir was enamoured with US Imperialism and a committed neoliberal, who sought inspiration on economy policy from Margaret Thatcher. She would oversee the PPP’s transition from nominally socialist to (neo)liberal. Benazir herself commented that, “I was in England when Margaret Thatcher introduced the economics of privatization. I was also in America to see the economics of deregulation. And I took these lessons from the East to the West”. Whilst Benazir quite rightly did pursue a drive for democracy, (undoubtedly in part due to the military coup that murdered her father) Zulfikar himself had flirtations with authoritarianism, was partial to favourable allusions to Nazi Germany, and had at one stage been party to General Ayub’s military dictatorship. Despite her democratic rhetoric and policymaking, it seemed that Benazir ran the PPP with an iron fist, anointing herself as ‘[party] Chairman for life’. In this she her actions reflected her father’s.

I think one of the greatest similarities between them was their (at least rhetorical) advocacy for religious minorities, something that sadly has been found wanting throughout Pakistan’s history. Another similarity was their manipulation of their working-class/peasant base whom they promised socialist policies in return for their support. In Zulfikar’s case this involved some nationalisations, with a notable absence of redistributive policies in his final years. Benazir on the other hand opted for a wholehearted endorsement of neoliberalism.

Despite the substantial ideological differences between Benazir and her father, and the fact that she was the first female leader of Pakistan, it appears that she does not escape her father’s shadow. Neither does she try to, often invoking the spirit of her father and grandfather at her political rallies and declaring herself as the heir to his political legacy. Stanley Walport, Zulfikar’s biographer, commented on on Benazir’s legacy, noting that “Rather than focusing on how to help the poor, Benazir had instead worried about how to best immortalise her father”. In my opinion, it is under Benazir where we see the PPP truly descend into dynastic politics - more concerned with promulgating the Bhutto legacy, than any specific policy platform. (Admittedly, the acceptance of dynastic policies did not go unchallenged with one PPP leader stating that, “It is not in my destiny to follow the father, then the mother and now the daughter”.) The slide into dynastic politics may be reflective of the historic centrality of the family in South Asian cultures and/or the prominence of allegiances to aristocratic families throughout Pakistan’s feudal history. Fast forward to the present day and we see Bilawal Bhutto Zardani (Benazir’s son) as chairman of the PPP and Rahul Gandhi (the latest scion in the Gandhi dynasty) lead the Indian National Party in their disastrous election defeat in 2019, only to be succeeded by his mother. I’m not sure whether one could elucidate what either of these parties stand for now, bar promulgating their respected dynasties, but perhaps that critique is a bit unfair and as an international commentator I defer to local expertise. Moreover, even if this critique is true perhaps it is not of concern to the parties’ followers. Describing the funeral crowds at Benazir’s mausoleum Bennett-Jones reports, “Their mourning had a religious quality… Like her father she was beginning to take on the quality of saint.. It is quite possible to imagine that a century from now, the political aspects of Zulfikar’s and Benazir’s lives will be relatively unimportant to devoted followers who ascribe to the family special spiritual powers passed down the generations. In fact that process has begun already the impoverished of Larkana visit the graves with the hope of making the sick well, the infertile pregnant and the jobless employed.” Returning to politics, it is notable that both parties (PPP & INC) have been polling abysmally for sometime now. It will be interesting to see whether they chose to weather these years of obscurity attached to dynasticism, perhaps even doubling down on Bhutto mythologising, or whether they forge a new path forward.

It is deeply saddening that two prime ministers have been murdered in Pakistan’s short history and there is a temptation for foreign commentators to situate the locus of this activity in Pakistan’s (imagined) innate barbarity. I think this orientalist positioning is misguided for several reasons. Firstly, it generalises the behaviour of few actors into essential attributes of a people, which I think is erroneous. Secondly, it ignores the iniquities of the British Empire, which institutionalised regional, ethnic and religious divisions onto the former British Raj so as to divide & rule over the populace. The effects of British rule still affecting Pakistani politics through both internalised colonial beliefs and contemporary neocolonial power relations.

Returning to the initial chapter of the book, I wasn’t particularly enamoured with decision to trace the origins of the Bhutto dynasty to over a millennium ago. Bennett-Jones notes himself that is unclear whether these ancestors are even related to the modern day Bhuttos. This section seemed to be more of an exercise in oriental mythologising rather than a study of history, but that is just my interpretation. I also thought it was weird how Bennett-Jones ‘essentialises’ Bhutto attributes in this initial chapter. For me it was reminiscent of other essentialising activities in the region, such as Martial Race Theory. I can understand why he did this as it’s conducive to a coherent dynastic narrative, but I wonder whether these reductive parallels are truly reflective of reality.

[Bilal Shakir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bennet-Jones writes an engaging and balanced narrative about the Bhutto dynasty in Pakistan. What was especially welcoming was how the author was able to cover the elusive 90s that have, so far, been rarely covered in books on Pakistan in the English language.

The research that went into writing this book was exhaustive and Bennet-Jones largely manages to avoid being either overly critical or patently obsequious to any particular figure that is often part and parcel in projects of this sort. My only critical comment is that the book largely fails to engage with the question it lays out for itself as its aim: why have the people of South Asia been especially susceptible to dynastic politics? That said, this is a meticulously written, impeccably researched book that is a welcome addition to the literature on Pakistan studies.

[Umar Tosheeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The History of Bhutto Dynasty is the history of Pakistan. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto from 1950-1970s. His daughter Benazir from 1980s to 2000s. And currently her son Bilawal. In fact, the Dynasty started with Zulfikar Bhutto’s father Shah Nawaz and his forefather, and therefore mirrors colonial history of the region before the independence of Pakistan. It is a balanced book that focuses on the talents and positive contributions of the family toward democracy in Pakistan, and the dynastic family’s shortcomings as well. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a charismatic founder of the Pakistan People’s Party or PPP. His involvement during the 1971 war, dismemberment of the country, and creation of Bangladesh is described in detail. And one of the most important parts of the book.

Overall, it is a very informative book about the Pakistani politics and the eternal struggle for democracy in the country.

[MasterSal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen form Dad during Xmas 2023 🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄 - finally read in October 2025. So not long!

This was a whirlwind of a book and provided an overview of the Bhutto family, mainly focused on Zulfiqar and Benazir Bhutto. It was familiar to me but the brevity of the book makes this a little confusing in parts. I wish it had slowed down a little but to give us a bit more on Benazir's time in exile especially. Nonetheless, as an overview of the highlight / lowlights this book was effective.

As the author states this book is meant to be more of data into a wider exploration of dynastic politics in South Asia. I hope that wider ranging book is eventually written by someone because this stuff is fascinating. And worth picking up by people who are not as familiar with Pakistan.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Political dynasties in democratic countries are a fascinating case study for political scientists and people interested in politics. The US had the Kennedys, Clintons, Bushes; India has the Nehru-Gandhis, Phillipines has the Marcoses, Pakistan has the Bhuttos. I recently finished reading Owen Bennet Jones’s “The Bhutto Dynasty”. Foreign Affairs magazine included OBJ’s book among the best books of 2020. OBJ did a podcast on the topic in recent years as well. I knew about the themes he discusses in the book. I have previously written about Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) (here and here for example) and have read about the 1977 coup since I started reading “adult” books. One of the first “adult” books that I read was “Aur line katt gayi” (And the line dropped) by Kausar Niazi who was ZAB’s information minister. Later on, I read ‘Zulfi Bhutto of Pakistan’, ‘If I am Assassinated’, ‘The Terrorist Prince’, ‘My Feudal Lord’ and other books that mentioned the coup and Bhutto’s reign. In addition, I read Benazir’s ‘Daughter of the East’ when I was in boarding school. I wrote about political history of Pakistan in the 1990s, during which time Benazir was a major player.



I still found many new things in the books, particularly about ZAB’s passion for pan-Islamism despite his own lack of following Islamic rituals (a theme common in the political elite everywhere), how much he annoyed Lyndon Johnson when he met him after JFK’s funeral and how he tried and mostly succeeded in getting what he wanted in negotiations (Tashkent or Simla for example). Henry Kissinger once quipped that ‘I don’t negotiate with Prime Minister Bhutto, I always end up losing my shirt’.

I heard some episodes of his podcast about this topic but found the book to be better.

The best part of the book, in my opinion, is OBJ’s steadfast reporting on BB’s assassination. Who did it? Who planned it? Where was it planned, how many attempts were made? Answers to all of these Qs are provided by the book. There are still gaps in our knowledge because high-ranking officials were involved in a coverup. But short of that, he fills in the blanks.

One of my favorite lines was the last line of the book, a statement that encapsulates a lot about the Bhutto Dynasty: Ever since Doda Khan Bhutto worked out how to manipulate the British colonialists so as to secure the financial viability of his estates, Bhuttos have always believed that, when the ultimate prize of power is at stake, a deal can be done.

[Aqeel Haider · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤: The Bhutto Dynasty

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 : Owen Bennett Jones.

𝐘𝐎𝐏 : 2021

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Pakistan Affairs/Non-fictional

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.8/5

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: This book is divided into 9 Chapters.Total 319 Pages.

This Book is written on the Bhutto tribe. Discuss personalities who had an active role in Politics.

Starting with the origin of Bhutto's from Rajasthan. A sub-caste of Rajputs. The amalgamation of Bhatti's, Bhutta's and Bhootas. Their migration to Sindh rural areas of Larkana. Start from Doda khan Bhutto till Bilalwal Zardari.

Most Book comprised of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's ascent to power and his Authoritative rule till his death in 1979. This book also revealed the most shocking facts about the Bhutto dynasty's struggle for power. inter-family rivalry.

Evolution of Al-Zulfikar. Spearheaded by Mir Murtaza Bhutto his death and Shahnawaz's death in France. Benazir struggle for asserting her control over her family and PPP. Nusrat Bhutto struggled against Zia. Finally, it ends with the death of Benazir.Detail account of his death plotting and its aftermath.

#Recommended.
#thanks

[sohail babar · Rating 5 out of 5]

One wonders how Bhuttos exercised the monopoly to own estates, power and legacy over the centuries.
Owen Bennet's investigative efforts uncover Bhuttas (Bhuttos) manipulative journey over the centuries where they hooked the way towards power and money. Excellent narration describes how they transpired rulers, hid their beliefs and swayed public opinion to project themselves the saints despite being the reverse.
Authoritative historical account is full of incidents where brutalities, race to the top and disconcern to the masses is laden with manipulation, murderous infighting and treacherous. The book offers some insight into peraonal lives of poloitical leaders which must be known by public to judiciously exercise their right to vote.

Crux of the book is as under:-
Since inception Bhuttos worked out how to manipulate to secure financial viability of estates, Bhuttos have always believed that when ultimate prize of power is at stake, a deal can be done.

[Patrick Slavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second exhaustive book on Pakistan by the famous BBC journalist Owen Bennett-Jones. In his intent to be authoritative on the subject, Bennett-Jones succeeds and his work is a valuable, imperative resource. His reporting is detailed and dogged - even providing the names of the suicide bombers who plotted to assassinate Benazir Bhutto and the last words of her father before he was executed by hanging in a Pakistani prison. However, Bennett-Jones is far from a stylist and his "argument by avalanche" approach leaves the book a rather painful read - and when a story is colorful as Pakistan's, it's a shame. For a more riveting experience, I highly recommend the author's BBC podcast series on Benazir Bhutto's assassination:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05r...

[Ahsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding work from one of the best foreign correspondents to cover Pakistan. Well researched and well written. Fair to all the protagonists throughout, but not afraid of passing judgment when needed. The parts on BB's assassination are especially good, if not novel for those who heard his 10-part podcast on BBC on the murder. But seeing it put down on paper like this is just infuriating when you realize how the people responsible got away with it. The history on ZAB is also very good. This is a book not just on the Bhuttos but also their main opponents in Pakistan: the army and intelligence services. Highly recommended.

[Yasir Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to pick this up as I thought this would be biased. However, Owen B-J has done a brilliant job in bringing many facts together and then given a report card to the Bhuttos. He has not taken liberty with twisting the facts. He does give his opinion but also rests the case with the readers. I grew up during much of Benazir's political career so kept a close eye through news and commentaries but even then I learnt a lot of new things. I would urge today's youth to read this book to understand how politics work in Pakistan. Some of the background channels are still relevant and help us assess the political leadership in a much more balanced manner.

[XXX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice overview of (one of?) Pakistan's most important families. The associated details really give a great picture of the country's political milieu as well, showing the difficult balance faced by Benazir & Zulfikar, balancing military dictators & the religious right with their progressive(ish) tendencies. Not a sycophantic portrait at all -- the Bhuttos' flaws are clearly enumerated, particularly their overly aristocratic (--> haughty) attitudes.

Had hoped for more on BBZ, but perhaps that will come!

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick family history of the Bhuttos, focused primarily on Benazir and her father. Not necessarily a ton new here if you're already familiar with the country's political history, but provides some additional color for some of the major episodes (for me particularly it helped fill in some gaps in the 90s period) and perhaps gives some additional sense of some of the main players' psychology. Not the fault of the author, but my main takeaway from this was that it remains astounding that there's no comparably in-depth English-language book on Nawaz Sharif or the history of the PML-N.

[Abdul Rafay · Rating 5 out of 5]

overall good reads about power politics between the bhutto family starting from zulfiqar ali bhutto to benazir, shahnawaz and murtaza bhutto. it also highlights the mysterious killings of both murtaza and shahnawaz bhutto and their roles in al zulfiqar terrorist wings. later in the book it shares details on how benazir got married to zardari and how zardari took over PPP after benazir's death by shifting himself from being from zardari clan and taking over the bhutto clan's politics. overall a neutral book for anyone interested in learning about the bhutto dynasty and politics.

[Abhyuday · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsure why this has such a high rating I couldn't even be bothered to finish it. That being said, the book does start off strong, and evinces great depth of research & usage of primary and secondary sources alike throughout. Despite this, it ends up reading more like a storybook than a piece of historical analysis and writing, especially at moments which have several moving parts. I also handwrote more of my thoughts but I'm lazy to type them out :]

[Divya Titus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read on the political landscape in Pakistan and the dynastic politics of the Bhutto family. The author clearly states that this is not an authorised history of the Bhutto dynasty, however this was an incredibly insightful read on the 2 most powerful / controversial members of the family i.e. ZAB & Benazir Bhutto.

[Kevin McAvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her father was a crook, she was corrupt, her husband was a well-known crook and his son was a greedy buffoon. She was still a woman who really tried to improve the lot of other muslim women but she was only human. $175,000 US dollars for a necklace with all the poverty in her country. A well written bio and narrated well too.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a risk this could have been very dry, but very glad to have read and finished relatively quickly. Good and readable look into internal Pakistani politics and naturally India and Bangladesh too. Lots I didn't know before that I gained from reading. Great read for anyone that wants some insight into the region.

[Abdul Rehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bhutto family is just like the chaotic rich families shown in films. Too much drama and conflicts.

Author Bennett made sure to keep it intriguing till the last page. One of my favourite biographies. Amazing

[Riaz Ujjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating account of Bhuttos of Larkana.

[Bilal Raja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and balanced.

[Fawwad Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading it I thought it might be either written for praise or as critique. However I found it well balanced and in-depth records of events. Very well written and fascinating

[Hamna Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a detailed book on the bhutto family which also covers some key political notes of Pakistan's history.