India: From Midnight To The Millennium And Beyond

Still reading. Currently on the chapter where the character of Charlis is introduced. This is the first work of the author that I am in the process of reading (studying). My impression of the author was that of an erudite and scholarly writer who writes to impress more than to inform. I have to say that I found this book engaging and entertaining. I am better informed by this book. So far the only tharoorism that I encountered was in the word 'oneirodynia'. I have underlined it but haven't looked it up in the dictionary or on Google. I like to finish the book then lookup all the underlined words one-by-one. I believe the author's political convictions have evolved with time since the first publication of this book in 1997. One's identity is deep-rooted in one' s roots which can only be severed by oneself.

found this book very good. it traces the times of early independence to present times. beautifully written. It is not terrifying as some reviewers said of its tough language. very readable and enlightening. gsrao

If you have already read the history of India, you'll be able to complete the book in one day. It's predictable, yet interesting. It was refreshing to read.

Good book, but 😄 may be not so liked by blindfolded Indian congress partymen who would not be able to digest hard truth about the party!

Very good

I've ordered this book to understand development in India since Independence. For those who want to know in brief I'll recommend "Malevolent Republic by K S Komireddi it's a great book 📖 for someone who wants to know development after India's independence and to Modi's superiority. Shashi Tharoor is the master of intellectual cliff hanger and has the excellent zeal to describe events.

The books(paperback version) paper quality is low, fonts are small.

Very well researched and eloquently written this book by Mr Tharoor alongwith India After Gandhi by Mr Guha are the best books on India that I have read. Every page of this book has some piece of information that I had not previously known. Also refreshing is the author's neutral take on many ills that afflict the political party that he himself belongs to. Sprinkled with interesting anecdotes and witty recollections the book never bores.

Good

An impressive account of India as a nation, done with candour and love. In addition to the challenges, Tharoor offers bold solutions! A great book.

It was good.

Too much detail would have preferred a more succinct treatment.

It would seem that in order not to miss the hoopla, public relations, photo ops, and, most unfortunately, a renewed interest by the world in all things Indian surrounding the occassion of India celebrating her 50 years of Independence, Tharoor put together this book hoping people wouldn't look too hard. Instead of his charming, acerbic, witty, humourous, and refreshing view of the politcal and social scence as evidence in "The Great Indian Novel," we now have before us a book of high literary quality, but a dry read indeed. Moreover, Tharoor's postion in the UN seems to infuse itself into this book: he looks for a utopian rendering of a country which is, by all accounts, far from utopian. As he projects his value system, his ideals, and his dreams for the country, it becomes apparent that these are the cries of an expatriate intellectual who wants to see good done. And I applaud him for that, for I too share his dreams to a large extent. What I cannot appreciate however, is a sense of intellectual and political maturity that Tharoor exudes, which, in my opinion, is only a hair away from arrogance. What has been most disappointing, however, is the complete lack of acid opinion. It's not as if the book is not opinionated. It most certainly is. Except Tharoor seems to hide behind a veil of intellectual veneer in order to seem that it's not. I'd much rather he had pulled the plugs, chosen his weapons, and gone at the situation with all the wit and acid humor his is so wonderful at. But maybe that would have taken longer, and maybe he would have missed all the wonderful free publicity that came with India's 50th anniversary celebrations. And for those that Tharoor chastises for taking advantage of India for their personal gain, how is he doing something different?