‘ ... A striking quality about Engineer is his rationality and his calm approach to whatever comes his way. This equanimity is what comes across as one turns the pages of the book.... [It is] a perceptive commentary on society written with unassuming scholarliness.... ’
- Frontline
‘Reading his account of his own life, it becomes obvious that the values Engineer has always stood for – foremost among them understanding and harmony between Hindus and Muslims – come not only from his scholarship, but from a genuine belief in religion as a “force that unites humanity”. His interpretation of kafir (unbeliever) as one who lives selfishly, and a
mumin (believer) as one who refuses to compromise and is compassionate, needs to reach all Indians.’
- Economic and Political Weekly
‘Ashgar Ali Engineer has given us a hard-hitting account of his exemplary life, marked by pursuit of equality and human rights, offering a statement that could stand as the very summary of his character as well as a moral lesson for others: “How can one give up?”‘
- Paul R. Brass, University of Washington, Seattle
‘Asghar Ali Engineer is a gutsy man, a reformer par excellence. His autobiography is well worth reading. It chronicles the life of a brave and courageous man. It is insightful for its analysis of our contemporary dilemmas.’
- Mushirul Hasan, Director-General, National Archives of India