At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the British Empire withdrew from India, inviting in all the exhilaration and turmoil of a newly free society. In this vivid, atmospheric popular history, Alex von Tunzelmann chronicles these times through the most prominent figures: Dickie Mountbatten, Britain's dashing, inept last viceroy; Dickie's savvy, glamorous wife, Edwina, who found the love of her life in Jawaharlal Nehru, India's new prime minister; Muslim leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Mohandas Gandhi. Tunzelman's thrilling chronicle "removes the veil from the colorful personalities and events behind Inida's independence and partition with Pakistan" ("The Washington Post"). Alex von Tunzelmann was educated at Oxford and lives in London. "Indian Summer" is her first book. At midnight on August 15, 1947, India was granted freedom from the British Empire, and 400 million people were liberated. With the loss of its greatest colony, Britain ceased to be a superpower, and its king ceased to sign himself Rex Imperator.
This defining moment of world history had been brought about by a handful of people. Among them were Jawaharlal Nehru, the Indian prime minister; Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the leader of the new Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Mohandas Gandhi, the mystical figure who enthralled a nation; and Louis and Edwina Mountbatten, the glamorous but unlikely couple who had been dispatched to get Britain out of India. Within hours of the midnight chimes, their hopes for freedom and democracy would be given up in the face of a war.
Behind the scenes, a secret personal drama was also unfolding, as Edwina Mountbatten and Jawaharlal Nehru began a passionate love affair. Their romance developed alongside Cold War conspiracies, the beginning of a terrible conflict in Kashmir, and an epic series of events that saw one million people killed and ten million dispossessed.
Drawn from the private papers and reflections of the participants, "Indian Summer" reveals how the actions of a few extraordinary people changed the lives of millions and determined the fate of nations. "In the flood of books marking the anniversary of independence, this one is different. It does not seek to apportion blame, nor offer an exhaustive account of events, nor even, despite its subtitle, to expose the secrets of that time . . . it suggests no prescriptions for the future. Instead, "Indian Summer"" achieves something both simpler and rarer, placing the behavior and feelings of a few key players at the center of a tumultuous moment in history."--Ben Macintyre, "The New York Times"
" "Indian Summer"] removes the veil from the colorful personalities and events behind India's independence and partition with Pakistan, exploring the eccentricities and peccadilloes of the subcontinent's last British rulers and first democratic leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohandas Gandhi . . . The author moves easily between these stories, as well as that of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the man who would lead Pakistan. She makes the connections and keeps track of every part of the story while moving it all forward."--Joanne Collings, "The Washington Post"
"Alex von Tunzelmann's "Indian Summer" is the best narrative historical account I've seen of the grubby end of the British Empire and the bloody beginnings of independent India and Pakistan."--"Harper's"
"About two-thirds of the way through Alex von Tunzelmann's stirring book on how India won its independence, the author describes the climactic political moment, at midnight in New Delhi, Aug. 14, 1947. 'As the chimes sounded and the unexpected blast from a conch shell startled the delegates in the chamber of the Constituent Assembly, ' she writes, 'a nation that has struggled for so many years, and sacrificed so much, was freed at last from the shackles of empire.' 'Yes, ' von Tunzelmann concludes, 'Britain was finally free.' It's a wisecrack, but more wise than crack: Centuries of entanglement had by then become a disastrous knot disabling the colonizer as well as the colonized . . . Von Tunzelmann's brisk narrative is propelled forward by the personalities of five memorable individuals who all wanted and worked for independence. One, of course, is Mohandas Gandhi, whose moral integrity smothers political expediency and efficiency (even if his admiration of Hitler's organizational abilities is a little, um, unsettling). Another is the cigar-smoking, foppish Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a non-observant Muslim who almost single-handedly creates the Islamic state of Pakistan. But even they are upstaged by the trio of Louis Mountbatten, the last British viceroy, who presided over independence and the partition of India and Pakistan; his wife Edwina; and Jawaharlal Nehru, the father of modern India . . . Needless to say, the role of a Western power that heedlessly imposes itself on an Asian culture has contemporary resonance. So does the sectarian slaughter that accompanied that partition of India and Pakistan. Such echoes make this fine book relevant. But as these are the last days of summer, I'll take absorbingly readable instead--and "Indian Summer" is that too."--Daniel Okrent, "Fortune"
""Indian Summer" is . . . absorbing in its detail and masterly in the broad sweep of its canvas."--Sir Martin Gilbert, author of "The Somme"
""Indian Summer" is outstandingly vivid and authoritative. Alex von Tunzelmann brings a lively new voice to narrative history-writing."--Victoria Glendinning, author of "Leonard Woolf"
"Alex von Tunzelmann is a wonderful historian, as learned as she is shrewd. But she is also something more unexpected: a writer with a wit and an eye for character."--Tom Holland, author of" Rubicon" and" Persian Fire"
"An engaging, controversial, very lively and, at times, refreshingly irreverent tour de force. Alex von Tunzelmann has written a dramatic story, laced with tragedy and farce, and done so very well; a remarkable debut."--Lawrence James, author of" The Middle
Industry Reviews
"In 'Indian Summer', Alex von Tunzelmann pays particular attention to how negotiations were shaped by an interplay of personalities. . . . her account, unlike those of some of her fellow British historians, isn't filtered by nostalgia." --The New Yorker"A brilliantly vivid page-turner that captures the backstage dramas raging on the eve of India's independence." --Tina Brown"Irresistible . . . A fascinating book that may well change how we look on the benighted world in which we live today." --Los Angeles Times"[A] captivating group portrait, pulling forth the most telling details of each figure's inner life. . . . To have turned an era of such significance and continuing relevance into a page-turner, to both entertain and educate, is an admirable accomplishment." --San Francisco Chronicle"A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the breakup of British rule in India." --NPR's Fresh Air"[Von Tunzelmann] keeps us riveted. . . . [She] has a fine knack for teasing out the play of personality in momentous events." --Houston Chronicle"Von Tunzelman is witty, erudite, and thoughtful about her subject. . . . An opinionated and sardonic writer, [she] is perfectly willing to take on both saints and heroes." --The Christian Science Monitor"Scintillating . . . compelling narrative history, combining dramatic sweep with dishy detail." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)"This is history as multiple, interconnected biography. . . . Indian Summer achieves something both simpler and rarer, placing the behavior and feelings of a few key players at the center of a tumultuous moment in history." --The New York Times Book Review"Stirring . . . brisk . . . absorbingly readable." --Fortune""Indian Summer is a true tour de force: absorbing in its detail and masterly in the broad sweep of its canvas." --Sir Martin Gilbert, author of The Somme"Indian Summer is outstandingly vivid and authoritative. Alex von Tunzelmann brings a lively new voice to narrative history-writing." --Victoria Glendinning, author of Leonard Woolf"Alex von Tunzelmann is a wonderful historian, as learned as she is shrewd. But she is also something more unexpected: a writer with a wit and an eye for character that Evelyn Waugh would surely have admired." --Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Persian Fire"An engaging, controversial, very lively and, at times, refreshingly irreverent tour de force. Alex von Tunzelmann has written a dramatic story, laced with tragedy and farce, and done so very well; a remarkable debut." --Lawrence James, author of The Middle Class: A History and Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India In Indian Summer', Alex von Tunzelmann pays particular attention to how negotiations were shaped by an interplay of personalities. . . . her account, unlike those of some of her fellow British historians, isn't filtered by nostalgia. The New Yorker A brilliantly vivid page-turner that captures the backstage dramas raging on the eve of India's independence. Tina Brown Irresistible . . . A fascinating book that may well change how we look on the benighted world in which we live today. Los Angeles Times [A] captivating group portrait, pulling forth the most telling details of each figure's inner life. . . . To have turned an era of such significance and continuing relevance into a page-turner, to both entertain and educate, is an admirable accomplishment. San Francisco Chronicle A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the breakup of British rule in India. NPR's Fresh Air [Von Tunzelmann] keeps us riveted. . . . [She] has a fine knack for teasing out the play of personality in momentous events. Houston Chronicle Von Tunzelman is witty, erudite, and thoughtful about her subject. . . . An opinionated and sardonic writer, [she] is perfectly willing to take on both saints and heroes. The Christian Science Monitor Scintillating . . . compelling narrative history, combining dramatic sweep with dishy detail. Publishers Weekly (starred review) This is history as multiple, interconnected biography. . . . Indian Summer achieves something both simpler and rarer, placing the behavior and feelings of a few key players at the center of a tumultuous moment in history. The New York Times Book Review Stirring . . . brisk . . . absorbingly readable. Fortune" Indian Summer is a true tour de force: absorbing in its detail and masterly in the broad sweep of its canvas. Sir Martin Gilbert, author of The Somme Indian Summer is outstandingly vivid and authoritative. Alex von Tunzelmann brings a lively new voice to narrative history-writing. Victoria Glendinning, author of Leonard Woolf Alex von Tunzelmann is a wonderful historian, as learned as she is shrewd. But she is also something more unexpected: a writer with a wit and an eye for character that Evelyn Waugh would surely have admired. Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Persian Fire An engaging, controversial, very lively and, at times, refreshingly irreverent tour de force. Alex von Tunzelmann has written a dramatic story, laced with tragedy and farce, and done so very well; a remarkable debut. Lawrence James, author of The Middle Class: A History and Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India" A brilliantly vivid page-turner that captures the backstage dramas raging on the eve of India's independence. "Tina Brown" Irreistible . . . A fascinating book that may well change how we look on the benighted world in which we live today. "Los Angeles Times" [A] captivating group portrait, pulling forth the most telling details of each figure's inner life. . . . To have turned an era of such significance and continuing relevance into a page-turner, to both entertain and educate, is an an admirable accomplishment. "San Francisco Chronicle" A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the breakup of British rule in India. "NPR's Fresh Air" [Von Tunzelmann] keeps us riveted. . . . [She] has a fine knack for teasing out the play of personality in momentous events. "Houston Chronicle" Von Tunzelman is witty, erudite, and thoughtful about her subject. . . . An oppinionated and sardonic writer, [she] is perfectly willing to take on both saints and heroes. "The Christian Science Monitor" Scintillating . . . compelling narrative history, combining dramatic sweep with dishy detail. "Publishers Weekly (starred review)" This is history as multiple, interconnected biography. . . . "Indian Summer "achieves something both simpler and rarer, placing the behavior and feelings of a few key players at the center of a tumultuous moment in history. "The New York Times Book Review" Stirring . . . brisk . . . absorbingly readable. "Fortune"" "A brilliantly vivid page-turner that captures the backstage dramas raging on the eve of India's independence."--Tina Brown"Irreistible . . . A fascinating book that may well change how we look on the benighted world in which we live today."--"Los Angeles Times""[A] captivating group portrait, pulling forth the most telling details of each figure's inner life. . . . To have turned an era of such significance and continuing relevance into a page-turner, to both entertain and educate, is an an admirable accomplishment."--"San Francisco Chronicle" "A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the breakup of British rule in India."--NPR's "Fresh Air""""""[Von Tunzelmann] keeps us riveted. . . . [She] has a fine knack for teasing out the play of personality in momentous events."--"Houston Chronicle""Von Tunzelman is witty, erudite, and thoughtful about her subject. . . . An oppinionated and sardonic writer, [she] is perfectly willing to take on both saints and heroes."--"The Christian Science Monitor" "Scintillating . . . compelling narrative history, combining dramatic sweep with dishy detail."--"Publishers Weekly "(starred review)"This is history as multiple, interconnected biography. . . . "Indian Summer "achieves something both simpler and rarer, placing the behavior and feelings of a few key players at the center of a tumultuous moment in history."--"The New York Times Book Review ""Stirring . . . brisk . . . absorbingly readable."--"Fortune""" "" "A brilliantly vivid page-turner that captures the backstage dramas raging on the eve of India's independence."--Tina Brown"Irreistible . . . A fascinating book that may well change how we look on the benighted world in which we live today."--"Los Angeles Times""[A] captivating group portrait, pulling forth the most telling details of each figure's inner life. . . . To have turned an era of such significance and continuing relevance into a page-turner, to both entertain and educate, is an an admirable accomplishment."--"San Francisco Chronicle" "A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the breakup of British rule in India."--NPR's "Fresh Air""""""[Von Tunzelmann] keeps us riveted. . . . [She] has a fine knack for teasing out the play of personality in momentous events."--"Houston Chronicle""Von Tunzelman is witty, erudite, and thoughtful about her subject. . . . An oppinionated and sardonic writer, [she] is perfectly willing to take on both saints ""Indian Summer" is a true tour de force: absorbing in its detail and masterly in the broad sweep of its canvas."--Sir Martin Gilbert, author of "The Somme" ""Indian Summer" is outstandingly vivid and authoritative. Alex von Tunzelmann brings a lively new voice to narrative history-writing."--Victoria Glendinning, author of "Leonard Woolf " "Alex von Tunzelmann is a wonderful historian, as learned as she is shrewd. But she is also something more unexpected: a writer with a wit and an eye for character that Evelyn Waugh would surely have admired."--Tom Holland, author of" Rubicon" and" Persian Fire " "An engaging, controversial, very lively and, at times, refreshingly irreverent tour de force. Alex von Tunzelmann has written a dramatic story, laced with tragedy and farce, and done so very well; a remarkable debut."--Lawrence James, author of" The Middle Class: A History" and "Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India "
