"Sex Drugs & Islam is the provocative and controversial memoir by Pakistani author, Dari Ghaznavi. In a conversational style, Ghaznavi tells tale of his time in the military, running drugs and other criminal activity, traveling the world, and, especially, chasing women. Despite its dark topics, the narration is breezy and spirited. Dari Ghaznavi really has lived a life
"Sex Drugs & Islam is the provocative and controversial memoir by Pakistani author, Dari Ghaznavi. In a conversational style, Ghaznavi tells tale of his time in the military, running drugs and other criminal activity, traveling the world, and, especially, chasing women. Despite its dark topics, the narration is breezy and spirited. Dari Ghaznavi really has lived a life like no other.
The title alone suggests that Ghaznavi is a man who takes chances and fears no one. Again and again, Ghaznavi puts himself in situations that would kill most people, or at least end up in an extended prison stay. That he is writing this memoir having been paralyzed from the chest down after being shot by an acquaintance should tell you this is a man who has lived, and lived hard. Through it all, Ghaznavi covers the highs and lows of his life with good humor. There's not a lot of self-deprecation or judgment here. Ghaznavi doesn't make any apologies.
The book reads like Ghaznavi is regaling you with stories over dinner, which is part of the book's charm.
One can't review this book without pointing out that it is highly controversial, especially in this political moment. Ghaznavi pulls no punches in his criticism of Islamic culture, and Pakistan in general. On the one hand, it's a fascinating window into a particular worldview. On the other, he's playing with fire. That's part of his story, however: his fearlessness. But there is a fair amount here that some could find offensive.
All that said, as a portrait of a man who's led an extraordinarily varied and interesting life, most any reader will find Ghaznavi's memoir an eye-opening and page-turning read."
-by SPR, Self-publishing Review.
According to his military instructor "...a tumultuous and turbulent life; Enviable, deplorable, lamentable and commendable, all at once."
Dari's motivation to write this book, derives simply from his compelling desire to share with people, how not to miss out on life. He knows as he has lived it.
This book is a great instruction manual on how to live or not to live.
Most Readers will find it an easy read, non-stop action, sometimes graphic, but with no holds barred description on how and what happened.
While there are many interesting events described, there are three principle themes that standout.
Laced with cynicism, profanities and humor, this hardcore narrative starts with his childhood days in Pakistan, where he quits his low life in gangs and joins an elite group of fighter pilots in the Pakistan Air Force. After many restless years, he discovers "America" and the "limitless potential" it offers. He defies the odds and makes it happen-come hell or high water.
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Kindle Edition
,
200 pages
Published
September 30th 2014
(first published September 18th 2014)
Dari shares so much in this autobiography. It’s very raw and at times shocking. You can tell from the very first page that this is a page turner. I didn’t know much about Islam before but I feel like a got a peek into the religion. Dari was very honest about his sexual addictions , drug use, and Islam. The things he did were just amazing at some points. I couldn’t believe that this was a story from a single man. From his childhood, to the air force, his duration in crime, fatherhood, getting sho
Dari shares so much in this autobiography. It’s very raw and at times shocking. You can tell from the very first page that this is a page turner. I didn’t know much about Islam before but I feel like a got a peek into the religion. Dari was very honest about his sexual addictions , drug use, and Islam. The things he did were just amazing at some points. I couldn’t believe that this was a story from a single man. From his childhood, to the air force, his duration in crime, fatherhood, getting shot, living his new life - I just couldn’t believe it. Dari also gave me a peek into his disability. I worked with a few paraplegics when I worked in healthcare. I never really asked them how they felt about it. Mostly because they were my friends and I didn’t want to make them talk about such a hard subject. I appreciate that look into being a paraplegic - I feel like a understand a bit more. I read a good amount of this out loud to to husband. The end of the chapter ‘Islam’ really had us laughing. As Atheist/agnostics
I completely understand that. I really got a lot from this book. As I said, It is very raw but it’s about as real as an autobiography can come. 5/5
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It will blow your mind.
Provocative. Scandalous. Moving. Raw.
Such was the life of Dari Ghaznavi. Hailing from a country most Americans do not understand and emigrating to a country most of the world loathes, this former street thug morphed into an elite Pakistani Air Force Fighter Pilot, but his adventures did not end there.
Dari's life was not for the faint of heart. With a penchant for all things just south of legal limits by American standards, Dari walked a very thin line between right and wr
It will blow your mind.
Provocative. Scandalous. Moving. Raw.
Such was the life of Dari Ghaznavi. Hailing from a country most Americans do not understand and emigrating to a country most of the world loathes, this former street thug morphed into an elite Pakistani Air Force Fighter Pilot, but his adventures did not end there.
Dari's life was not for the faint of heart. With a penchant for all things just south of legal limits by American standards, Dari walked a very thin line between right and wrong – most often favoring the latter.
From fast women to fast cars, Dari's life never promised a soap opera ending. His was a life laced with sex, drugs, and offensive antics that were paving the way to more of the same.
His arrival in America led him down a winding path of sometimes shocking, more often than not deplorable behaviors that resulted in an insatiable need to feed the beast that was his ego, until enough was enough and the Pakistani immigrant had to face his demons and either redeem himself or watch himself go up in flames.
This poignant memoir is a compilation of the many tumultuous days in Dari Ghaznavi's life and will take you on a journey unlike any other.
a review on amazon;
An epic saga rivaling classics like Shantaram and Siddartha. A trail of bold adventures and huge gambles. The fascinating tale of an indomnitable spirit which has survived and thrived despite tumbles and setbacks which would have destroyed lesser men. Dari recounts the story of someone who never hesitated to defy what many considered common wisdom; the joy of being right and the pain of being wrong. He candidly shares in graphic detail his unrestrained indulgence in the pleasures that exist in the modern world. Dari cogently discusses the wisdom and hypocrisy of major religions and how they apply to the modern world. The story of a life few could imagine and only one man lived, Sex, Drugs and Islam is a must read for anyone who has ever wondered what life could be if unrestrained by convention
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An easy and interesting read. I liked the descriptions of the differences between American and Pakistani culture. Certainly the author has had a complex and unusual life. The author has an outlook on religion that I wasn't expecting. Funny that he's written the book using his only appendage that still works - his middle finger.