'Aboard the Democracy Train' is a gripping front-line account of Pakistan's decade of turbulent democracy (1988-1999), as told through the eyes of the only woman reporter working during the Zia era for the nation's leading English language newspaper.
'A powerful and courageous voice that represents the best of Pakistan’s emerging journalism… The first insider view of developments in Pakistan on the road to democracy.' —Shuja Nawaz, Director, South Asia Center, The Atlantic Council of the United States, and author of ‘Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within’
'Nafisa Hoodbhoy’s detailed reporting helped me look at the complex world of Pakistani politics differently. Hoodbhoy’s proximity to key players and her unique perspective as one of the few women journalists to cover Pakistan’s gripping narrative makes the ‘Democracy Train’ a great companion to the news of the day.' —Karen Frillmann, Managing Editor - Newsroom, New York Public Radio
'A story of a courageous journalist who defied conventional norms during times when very few other women were in this profession, and the country’s political environment was heavily influenced by conservative values, bloody ethnic conflict and religious bigotry. [Hoodbhoy] witnessed the making of history first-hand.' —Hassan Abbas, Quaid-i-Azam Chair Professor, South Asia Institute, Columbia University and author of ‘Pakistan’s Drift into Extremism: Allah, the Army, and America’s War on Terror’
'It was her fierce independence and commitment to her country that inspired [Hoodbhoy’s] decision to become a newspaper reporter – the only female reporter at the Pakistani daily, ‘Dawn’. Living in the United States after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, she realized that she was in a unique position to shed light on growing Islamic militancy and sectarian violence. She does so here with the irrepressible spirit that inspired her early journalism.' —Frances Stead Sellers, Deputy National Editor, Health, Science and the Environment, ‘The Washington Post’