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  • 1962: The War That Wasn't

  • The Definitive Account of the Clash Between India and China
  • Written by: Shiv Kunal Verma
  • Narrated by: Manish Dongardive
  • Length: 19 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (137 ratings)

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1962: The War That Wasn't

Written by: Shiv Kunal Verma
Narrated by: Manish Dongardive
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Publisher's Summary

On 20 October 1962, high in the Himalayas, on the banks of the fast-flowing Nam Ka Chu, over 400 Indian soldiers were massacred, and the valley was overrun by soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army. Over the course of the next month, nearly 4,000 soldiers were killed on both sides, and the Indian army experienced its worst defeat ever. The conflict (war was never formally declared) ended because China announced a unilateral ceasefire on 21 November and halted its hitherto unhindered advance across NEFA and Ladakh. To add to India's lasting shame, neither Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nor the Indian army was even aware that the 'war' had ended until they heard the announcement on the radio - despite the Indian embassy having been given the information two days earlier.

This conflict continues to be one of our least understood episodes. Many books have been written on the events of the time, usually by those who were involved in some way, anxious to provide justification for their actions. These accounts have succeeded only in muddying the picture further. What is clear is that 1962 was an unmitigated disaster. The terrain on which most of the battles were fought (or not fought) was remote and inaccessible; the troops were sorely underequipped, lacking even warm clothing; and the men and officers who tried to make a stand were repeatedly let down by their political and military superiors. Time and again, in Nam Ka Chu, Bum-la, Tawang, Se-la, Thembang, Bomdila - all in the Kameng Frontier Division of NEFA in the Eastern Sector - and in Ladakh and Chusul in the Western Sector, our forces were mismanaged, misdirected or left to fend for themselves. If the Chinese army hadn't decided to stop its victorious campaign, the damage would have been far worse.

In this definitive account of the conflict, based on dozens of interviews with soldiers and numerous others who had a firsthand view of what actually happened in 1962, Shiv Kunal Verma takes us on an uncomfortable journey through one of the most disastrous episodes of independent India's history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Shiv Kunal Verma (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about 1962: The War That Wasn't

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Eye opening account of the Sino Indian war

Unmatched in its detailing of political, military and even cartographical history. Outstanding research. Truly a masterpiece.

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Great read on the darkest chapter in Indian Military history

A good factual, detailed and well paced assessment and review of a war, whose details have been kept under wraps for over 60 years. A must read

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Clarity

Vivid clear, moderate voice , a thorough and researched fact and figures presented in best possible chronological order, avoiding monotonous and boredom

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A Masterpiece!

the book is an encyclopaedia on the disastrous events of the '62 war. incompetent Indian leadership and the perfidy of the Chinese led to hundreds of lives being lost. a cautionary tale of blind trust. brilliantly written and orated in a way that takes you to each battle of the saga.

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1962 Indo China War

Aptly described incidents. Well written. Kudos to the writer for the description and unfolding of events.

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Presenter need some prior Knowledge about Army

Presenter do not know who to read Name of Indian Army Units. He dont not how to Read Short Forms in Military way.

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Amazing Read!

Very well written and narrated. Has been a treat to have gone through such bonechilling saga of 1962. I don't think it could have been explained better than this.

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A war theatre

Loved the way a difficult subject narrated. Facts came out right in front of me. Superb

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Worth spending time..

Never read or listened any book with so much details. The author almost named each soldiers and described each event during this period. A few statements were repeated and sometimes I was disconnected so 1 star less. 🙏🏻

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Grim and Gripping

This book was an eye opener and it completely changed my perspective of this unfortunate war. The author gives a blow by blow account of the incidents on both eastern and western sector of this war. Time well spent.

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