Summary and Reviews of Indian Summer by Alex Von Tunzelmann

Media Reviews

Houston Chronicle Alex von Tunzelmann, a young Oxford-trained historian, personalizes the drama of British India's final days by focusing on the flawed giants who made it happen .... Put beside this lot, today's politicians are bland porridge indeed.

The Internet Review of Books - Jane Woodward Elioseff This surprising history of modern India tells several stories in one: How, over centuries, ruthless profit-seeking by the British East India Company, aided by greed and rivalry among local rulers, caused the devolution of the vastly wealthy and religiously tolerant Mogul empire. How the 1947 partitioning of India by the British, and Palestine by the UN, got us into the current troubles in the Middle East. How, ironically, the UN came to be seen by the Islamic world as a creature of the United States ... Highly recommended for its readability, and for its maps, photographs, careful notes and index.

The Washington Post - Joanne Collings For those who enjoy gossip about British royalty but also have a serious interest in history, Indian Summer, by Alex von Tunzelmann, will be welcome. It 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. She has a wicked wit.

Daily Express (UK) - Christopher Silvester There is not much in this book in the way of startling revelations but the prose is lucid and witty, and the pace of?the storytelling is sublimely judged, with just the right element of analysis and due attention given to the human foibles of the key players.

The Daily Mail UK) - Kate Chisholm Von Tunzelmann tells one story of the end of Empire — that of the small clique who tried, and failed, to control the handover of power — but there are many others, adding pathos and depth of meaning to the drama of political events.

Publishers Weekly Starred Review. [A] compelling narrative history, combining dramatic sweep with dishy detail.

 Lawrence James, author of The Middle Class: A History and Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India 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.

 Sir Martin Gilbert, author of The Somme Indian Summer is a true tour de force: absorbing in its detail and masterly in the broad sweep of its canvas.

 Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Persian Fire 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.

 Victoria Glendinning, author of Leonard Woolf Indian Summer is outstandingly vivid and authoritative. Alex von Tunzelmann brings a lively new voice to narrative history-writing.

Reader Reviews

Aamir
INDIAN SUMMER
A well written and easy to read book on the partition of India in 1947. Although called ‘THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE END OF AN EMPIRE’ I wonder is there are any secrets revealed in the book. The books main theme is the interaction between Mountbatten...   Read More Valerie
Focus on personalities
I actually thought this would be more specific on the mechanics/mapmaking of the partition, but it really focuses on the major players. The book added to my knowledge of the history of India & Pakistan, and changed my opinion of Gandhi and ...   Read More STEPHEN MATLOW
Flirting with democracy
A nice, light history of India and its struggle for independence as well as the rather strange personality of "Disaster Dick" Mountbatten. Edwina's relationship with Nehru is over played. A little bit would have been good, but page after page is like...   Read More Michael Arnold
Singapore innaccuracies
The author claims that 60,000 Indian troops were surrendered by some 'Colonel Hunt' in 1942 without firing a shot. This is total twaddle. General Percival had only 37,000 Indian troops even when the Japs first landed in December 1941 and far less ...   Read More

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