The Fragrance of Tears: My Friendship with Benazir Bhutto

In the summer of 1978, Victoria Schofield traveled to Pakistan to join her friend Benazir Bhutto, whose father, the former Pakistani prime minister, was facing charges of treason following a military coup. In the fevered and desperate context of Bhutto's trial and subsequent execution, their university friendship grew into a deeper bond that would last a lifetime, ended only by Benazir's assassination in 2007.

Schofield's memoir sheds light on the troubled recent history of a turbulent region, and affectionately charts Benazir's transformation from Oxford undergraduate to political activist, prisoner and one of the most charismatic and controversial figures in South Asian politics - a woman whose life and career were defined by tragedy.

'Sheds light on the human side of a courageous politician who could not escape her dynastic destiny' Financial Times

'Abounds with behind-the-scenes gems' Spectator

'The story of a remarkable woman, but not as history has already written it ... Could only have been written by someone like Victoria Schofield' Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief International Correspondent

'Humanises Benazir, whose iconic political status has often obscured the human being' Literary Review

'Beautifully written and deeply moving ... Schofield captures the person - dutiful daughter, erstwhile matchmaker, loyal friend, and, above all, courageous woman' Peter Galbraith

Victoria Schofield is a historian and commentator on international affairs, with special expertise on South Asia. Her published books include Bhutto: Trial and Execution, Afghan Frontier: at the Crossroads of Conflict, Kashmir in Conflict, Wavell: Soldier and Statesman, The Highland Furies: The Black Watch 1739-1899 and The Black Watch: Fighting in the Front Line 1899-2006. She has also edited Old Roads, New Highways: Fifty Years of Pakistan and contributed to numerous media outlets including writing for the Sunday Telegraph, The Times, the Independent, and the Spectator.
Victoria Schofield is a historian and commentator on international affairs, with special expertise on South Asia. Her published books include Bhutto: Trial and Execution, Afghan Frontier: at the Crossroads of Conflict, Kashmir in Conflict, Wavell: Soldier and Statesman, The Highland Furies: The Black Watch 1739-1899 and The Black Watch: Fighting in the Front Line 1899-2006. She has also edited Old Roads, New Highways: Fifty Years of Pakistan and contributed to numerous media outlets including writing for the Sunday Telegraph, The Times, the Independent, and the Spectator.