To Live or to Perish Forever by Nicholas Schmidle [RARE BOOKS]

Book Summary

To Live or to Perish Forever is a powerful and insightful nonfiction account of journalist Nicholas Schmidle’s experiences living in Pakistan from 2006 to 2008. The book blends personal narrative, reportage, and political analysis, painting a vivid portrait of a nation in turmoil.

Schmidle, who was awarded a fellowship by the Institute of Current World Affairs, arrived in Pakistan as a young journalist eager to understand the country beyond headlines. Over two years, he traveled extensively through the country, from Islamabad and Lahore to Baluchistan, the tribal areas, and even Swat Valley, witnessing firsthand the rising tide of extremism, the tensions between secular and religious forces, and the complex role of the Pakistani military and intelligence services.

Key events and themes include:

• The Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) siege in Islamabad

• The Baluch separatist movement

• The growth of the Taliban and jihadist ideologies

• The political instability during General Pervez Musharraf’s rule

• The everyday lives of Pakistanis caught in the crossfire of ideology, poverty, and power struggles

Schmidle’s narrative is notable for its empathetic tone, cultural sensitivity, and firsthand detail, even as he faces increasing danger that eventually leads to his expulsion from the country by the Pakistani government.

About the Author – 

Nicholas Schmidle is an American journalist and writer known for his work on foreign affairs, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East, and national security topics. He is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where he has covered issues ranging from the U.S. military and surveillance to global conflicts and technology.

Schmidle’s reporting is characterized by deep immersion, narrative storytelling, and a keen eye for geopolitical nuance. He gained wide recognition for his reporting from Pakistan, which led to his first book, To Live or to Perish Forever. Later, he also gained attention for his inside reporting on the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden in a 2011 New Yorker article titled Getting Bin Laden.

He is the son of Peter Schmidle, a U.S. Marine Corps general, which has informed some of his perspective on military and security matters.