Nehru: A Political Life

by Judith M. Brown

The first prime minister of India after independence from British rule, Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) was a major architect of India as a nation state. His dedication to politics led to imprisonment under British rule, a deeply disturbed family life, and eventually to nearly two decades in power during which he ceaselessly pursued his vision of a transformed and democratic India.
This compelling biography depicts the phases of Nehru's life and shows how each phase reflected new developments in Indian politics. Drawing on new sources including Nehru's post-1947 papers which have not been accessible before, Judith M. Brown offers the most complete and penetrating account of Nehru yet written. Casting new light on both the public and private Nehru, the book also provides an array of insights into the history of India's nationalist movement and international standing, and into the complexities of constructing a new nation state in the aftermath of imperial rule.

Genres: Biography, India, History, Nonfiction

440 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2000

About the author

Judith M. Brown is a historian of modern South Asia. From 1990–2011 she was the Beit Professor of Commonwealth History and a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford.

Reviews

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unworthy for me. Starting is so boring that person feels sleepy for while. But after part 2 it is somewhat interesting. Introduction is far better than content of the book. I was impressed by the Introduction of the book that way chose to read. But it is very very boring. Some part of the book are interesting but most of the book is like hell of history. While reading this book I felt so many times "why I am reading this book" again and again. The one and only part which I liked most is part 3 (chapter 9 - The Experience of Independence). creating an international identity is very much OK. Otherwise I don't like this book. This most parts of the book are, I think personal opinions of the author. Less accurate. I must say a lawyer only can right a good history with accuracy, according to me. Your opinion can be different.

[Zeenat · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far its excellent ... just a slow read.

I'm not very far into this book, but its fairly easy to read (for a biography) and discusses key issues/events in the partition of India (including Gandhi's civil disobedience movement). Strong underlying theme: development of nationalism, and the struggles of the independence movement of India.

[Daniel]

Riveting.