Read with fist full of salt

There are gross omissions in the narrative. For starters the author claims there were only two significant kings- Ashok (2-3 century BCE) and Akbar (16th century CE), implying that for 19 centuries there was no other noteworthy Ruler. There should have been a more authentic study and mention. This book claims to represent last mile towards freedom of India, but does not go beyond few personalities like Gandhi, Nehru, Mountbatten and Edwina, Jinnah some references of Patel (and families). The way things are protrayed gives a feeling that the entire last mile has happened only owing to these people. Author has indicated that Indians did not do much after 1857 mutiny and jumps straight to the 1900s. This is sooo inaccurate. It is understandable that history of Bharat, a civilization that is more than 6000 years old, cannot be contained in a book of this size. It is also evident that the book is written, whilst sitting on the Indian side of the fence, due to which the aftermath of partition has very imbalanced perspective to the extent of sounding prejudiced. Myopia is evident through out. I could go on. These are just a few things that I can put in this small a space. At best, this is probably the story of the characters mentioned above and not a historical reference book. It does offer glimpses of that time through a tiny keyhole. It will be appreciated if Author can add some disclaimers to the book

5 people found this helpful

Good book, but audible messed it up

The book in itself was a good one to learn about the history of India during the independence struggle. It gives a far more accurate description than what you read in the school history textbooks, which are more propaganda than truth.

However, due to the lack of sources and citations, I am not sure to what extent the contents of this book are true, but that is always the case with any work of history.

Audible has done a shoddy job of producing this book. The chapters in audible do not match with the chapters or parts in the book in any way. Forget about actually naming the chapter or its parts.

The narrator was quite good. Apt for a book of this sort.

2 people found this helpful

Mostly good but somewhat biased

The book is really interesting and I would even say a must read in many respects but I do think it focuses a lot more than it should on the affair between Nehru and Edwina which gives it somewhat of a high school romance vibe rather than a historical take on events. Also, the views on Gandhi seem biased and his person under researched.

2 people found this helpful

Highly recommended.

Totally loved it. I could not stop listening it tilI I finished it. If you are considering reading this book, you won't be disappointed.

2 people found this helpful

Good narration!

Perfect reading to know history of Indian Independence concisely. Very well narrated. Loved it thoroughly.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent rendition and a great narrative.

I like listening to every bit of this book. It is so well written. I agree there could be differ perspectives in India’s run to freedom but the book throws light on the machinations behind it. Stephen Thorne is an amazing narrator.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting - depends much on British sources and narratives

It’s a good addition if one is interested in the subject of Indian partition and the key personalities of the time.

The perspectives are however mostly from British sources and contexts. There are many portions, where the inability of the author to understand the cultural and social contexts of the Indian dramatic personae appear quite evident.

A deeper study of the thoughts and works of Jinnah, Nehru, Patel and VP Menon amongst others would have made this a definitive work.

So definitive is what this work is not. It is a good addition to insights on that place and period of history but an educated and well rounded view would need more sources and books to refer.

1 person found this helpful

An amazing narrative of Indian independence

Probably the best narrative of India’s struggle for independence I have read...provides an amazingly balanced view with character insights on the creators of modern India...Nehru Gandhi and the Mountbattens...strongly recommended for all Indians :)

1 person found this helpful

A good read

for those interested in the history of Indian freedom fight. Follows through the lives of Gandhi, Jawaharlal, Jinnah and the Mountbatten couple.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant story and brilliant storyteller

Great details about British Raj in India and intriguing stories within overall freedom struggle thread.