From Amritsar to Lahore: A Journey across the India-Pakistan Border FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
The partition of British India in 1947 attempted, with much bloodshed, to separate Muslims and Hindus, and the border separating India and Pakistan today is one of the world's most volatile. Friction continues with sporadic fighting over Kashmir, the escalation of nuclear weaponry on both sides, and various disruptive independence movements. Alter, a writer-in-residence at MIT and the author of four novels, was born to American missionary parents in India and is familiar with both countries. This account proves that he is also an excellent observer and recorder. His travels in the border areas in 1997 are described here in an informal but highly informative manner through conversations with people encountered and with references to historical sources and even contemporary film and music. Recommended for both travel and current events collections.--Harold M. Otness, formerly with Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Booknews
Describing himself as "neither a scholar nor a journalist but simply a traveler who bears a longstanding grudge against borders," Alter (writing and humanistic studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology), presents an account of his journey across the contentious border between India and Pakistan in 1997 (the 50th anniversary of Partition), interviewing people from all classes and castes and questioning national and individual identity, the territorial imperatives of history, and the mythology of borders. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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