PRAISES FOR THE BOOK

This is an extraordinary book. — Amitabh Mattoo, Padma Shri honoree, JNU professor

Desiccated Land is a reminder of a time when courageous journalism defied militants and the state to bring readers information that helped make sense of the enormous forces shaping their lives. This book is a vital document of the bravery of our colleagues in Kashmir. — Naresh Fernandes, Editor-inChief Scroll.in

Through a gripping personal account, David Lepeska offers a rare and poignant look at life in Kashmir, seamlessly knitting together the complexities of politics, religion, and identity. Written with raw honesty and emotional depth, Desiccated Land is mandatory reading for anyone seeking to understand this tumultuous region and the human experiences within it. — Adeel Hussain, Professor of Law at New York University Abu Dhabi

Desiccated Land is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book. Its engaging and insightful content -- an American journalist's observations, adventures, interviews and reporting — conveys a deep understanding of ethnic Kashmiris and their struggle to endure an arduous and “seemingly endless" insurgency. — Christopher Snedden, Australian scholar

A fine collection of vivid vignettes on the Kashmir conundrum by a keen and informed observer. — Sumit Ganguly, Rabindranath Tagore Chair at Indiana University, author of The Crisis in Kashmir and Conflict Unending: India-Pakistan Tensions since 1947

Desiccated Land is an important and timely book. A unique blend of memoir and reportage. The insightful introduction critiques US’ policies in South Asia and argues that they nurtured insurgency in Kashmir. — Shahla Hussain, St. John’s University professor, author of Kashmir in the Aftermath of Partition

Desiccated Land is old-school foreign correspondence in its purest form. The love for Kashmir and its people shines through. — Mike Giglio, journalist, author of Shatter the Nations: ISIS and the War for the Caliphate

David Lepeska is a gifted writer with a knack for deftly handling emotive issues and a deep understanding of Kashmir and the Muslim world. In Desiccated Land, these traits come together wonderfully to contextualise the Kashmir conflict within world dynamics and craft a compelling read for Indian and global audiences. — Mohamed Zeeshan, foreign affairs columnist, author of Flying Blind: India’s Quest for Global Leadership

Desiccated Land is one of the most objective and insightful accounts I've read of the lives of Kashmiri people suffering for years under various political narratives. -- Rahman Abbas, novelist & recipient of India’s Sahitya Akademi Award

Lepeska’s intimate and visceral portrayal of daily life in Kashmir powerfully surfaces the essential yet oft-ignored human dimensions of the troubled region. I highly recommend this book to all those looking to know and feel the real Kashmir, beyond the headlines. — Saqib Qureshi, bestselling author of The Broken Contract

Lepeska's journalistic style makes this an enjoyable and insightful work I highly recommend. — Syed Mohammad Ali, lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, author of Development, Poverty and Power in Pakistan

Desiccated Land offers not only well-informed historical insights and compelling eyewitness accounts, but empathy as well. — Yo’av Karny, Israeli journalist, author of Highlanders: A Journey to the Caucasus

David Lepeska’s Desiccated Land presents a deeply subjective account of his year reporting for the Kashmir Observer. Yet far from detracting, this approach adds enormous value to a book that features his trenchant views on a range of subjects, including the policies of his homeland, the US. In the end, Lepeska’s vast empathy for the Kashmiri people shines through, highlighting what life is really like in the troubled Valley. — Manoj Joshi, ORF Distinguished Fellow, author of Lost Rebellion: Kashmir in the Nineties

David Lepeska is not just an insightful journalist, but also a sharp and witty writer. I loved this brilliant book and recommend it wholeheartedly. — Mustafa Akyol, New York Times opinion contributor, bestselling author Reopening Muslim Minds and other books

Desiccated Land offers a rare portrait of the stunning but troubled region of Kashmir. As one of very few Western reporters for Kashmir Observer, Lepeska is uniquely placed to provide the necessary nuance to understand the often volatile reality. He also details how the US has contributed to Kashmir’s destabilisation and delivers an accessible and highly enjoyable read. — Jessica Mudditt, veteran journalist, author Our Home in Myanmar