What do you think?
Rate this book
Sonia
The rise of Sonia Gandhi to leader of the venerable Congress party is one of the most remarkable stories, even in the unpredictable world of Indian politics. This book looks at the person and the transformation that circumstance and tragedy brought about in her.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Rasheed Kidwai
11 books14 followersRasheed Kidwai is a non-fiction Indian writer and journalist. He has authored SONIA - A Biography and 24, Akbar Road, a book based on Congress party headquarters.
Kidwai graduated from the reputed St. Stephen's, Delhi and studied Mass Communications from Leicester University, UK. He was awarded an 'India Scholarship' by the British Council and Commonwealth office in U.K. He has worked with reputed newspapers, like the National Herald, Asia News International, The Asian Age. Presently, he is currently working as an Associate Editor with the Delhi Bureau for The Telegraph.
Now he lives in Delhi, India.
www.facebook.com/rasheed.kidwai
Kidwai graduated from the reputed St. Stephen's, Delhi and studied Mass Communications from Leicester University, UK. He was awarded an 'India Scholarship' by the British Council and Commonwealth office in U.K. He has worked with reputed newspapers, like the National Herald, Asia News International, The Asian Age. Presently, he is currently working as an Associate Editor with the Delhi Bureau for The Telegraph.
Now he lives in Delhi, India.
www.facebook.com/rasheed.kidwai
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2016
This book approaches Indian politics on a deep level. Obviously it was hard to understand some of it, since I'm not well versed in politics, much less Indian politics. However I did learn plenty, which is always good.
This book gives a great insight on Sonia, her family and the sacrifices she's made for the people of India. It also shows the struggle she has overcome, despite betrayal and constant attacks for being 'foreign'. I love the Nehru-Gandhi story. It was a great complement to my favorite novel "El Sari Rojo"
This book gives a great insight on Sonia, her family and the sacrifices she's made for the people of India. It also shows the struggle she has overcome, despite betrayal and constant attacks for being 'foreign'. I love the Nehru-Gandhi story. It was a great complement to my favorite novel "El Sari Rojo"
August 26, 2023
Rasheed Kidwai's comprehensive work, "Sonia: A Biography," presents a meticulously examined account of Sonia Gandhi's remarkable transformation within the complex political landscape of India. Set against the backdrop of the Congress party's resurgence to power following a significant period in the Opposition, the biography skillfully charts Sonia Gandhi's trajectory from an uncertain Congress party president to an unwavering political figurehead, presiding over the ruling United Progressive Alliance government. Kidwai deftly captures the pivotal turning point precipitated by the Congress-led coalition's unexpected victory in the 2004 general election, a watershed moment that propelled Sonia Gandhi's ascendancy.
The biography meticulously dissects Sonia Gandhi's strategic decisions, such as her voluntary abstention from the prime ministerial role, which engendered a perceptible boost to her moral standing in the public domain. More notably, Kidwai underscores the significance of Sonia Gandhi's adept navigation of her equation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, an astute illustration of her maturation into a self-assured political leader with a secure foothold in the nation's governance.
Kidwai's narrative aptly leverages his extensive experience as a political journalist, providing insightful analyses of Sonia Gandhi's interactions with key stakeholders. The book provides a compelling chronicle of pivotal junctures, including the office of profit crisis, the presidential election, the Indo-US nuclear accord, and the critical vote of confidence. Through these accounts, Kidwai vividly portrays Sonia Gandhi's adeptness in steering through intricate political challenges, further cementing her stature as an astute and resilient stateswoman.
The biography also illuminates the evolving dynamics within the Congress party, deftly capturing Sonia Gandhi's growing confidence in her dealings with both internal luminaries and external coalition partners. Notably, Kidwai delves into the smooth elevation of Rahul Gandhi within the party's hierarchy, underscoring the intricate dynamics that facilitated his ascent.
Ultimately, "Sonia: A Biography" stands as an exceptional elucidation of one of India's most enigmatic political figures. Kidwai's narrative prowess brings to life the extraordinary journey of Sonia Gandhi, tracing her trajectory from a small Italian town to the corridors of power in New Delhi. Rooted in astute political analysis, this biography is an invaluable addition to the scholarly discourse on contemporary Indian politics, offering keen insights into the interplay of leadership, strategy, and transformation within the realm of political science.
The biography meticulously dissects Sonia Gandhi's strategic decisions, such as her voluntary abstention from the prime ministerial role, which engendered a perceptible boost to her moral standing in the public domain. More notably, Kidwai underscores the significance of Sonia Gandhi's adept navigation of her equation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, an astute illustration of her maturation into a self-assured political leader with a secure foothold in the nation's governance.
Kidwai's narrative aptly leverages his extensive experience as a political journalist, providing insightful analyses of Sonia Gandhi's interactions with key stakeholders. The book provides a compelling chronicle of pivotal junctures, including the office of profit crisis, the presidential election, the Indo-US nuclear accord, and the critical vote of confidence. Through these accounts, Kidwai vividly portrays Sonia Gandhi's adeptness in steering through intricate political challenges, further cementing her stature as an astute and resilient stateswoman.
The biography also illuminates the evolving dynamics within the Congress party, deftly capturing Sonia Gandhi's growing confidence in her dealings with both internal luminaries and external coalition partners. Notably, Kidwai delves into the smooth elevation of Rahul Gandhi within the party's hierarchy, underscoring the intricate dynamics that facilitated his ascent.
Ultimately, "Sonia: A Biography" stands as an exceptional elucidation of one of India's most enigmatic political figures. Kidwai's narrative prowess brings to life the extraordinary journey of Sonia Gandhi, tracing her trajectory from a small Italian town to the corridors of power in New Delhi. Rooted in astute political analysis, this biography is an invaluable addition to the scholarly discourse on contemporary Indian politics, offering keen insights into the interplay of leadership, strategy, and transformation within the realm of political science.
August 11, 2024
I found this book to be profoundly helpful in understanding the course of recent politics. It deals with Indian politics related to Sonia Gandhi in great details from her childhood, how she grew up, what people thought of her to recent political turns. This book is very informative but the information is very biased. It felt like an image cleaner propaganda for Sonia Gandhi making every political leader look like power hungry enemy of Sonia(by default Nehru-Gandhi led Congress) who wants to exploit her political image for their own gain even their own party leaders. And prime minister like Narsimha Rao, Congress president like Sitaram Kesri are not spared of this propaganda as well. The writer even dragged actors and actresses into it as well. It could have been a great book, it is to some extent, but this book lacks even the pretense of unbiasedness.
August 20, 2014
Even though, I never was (so-called) interested in politics; somehow, the charismatic Sonia Gandhi in the news, always amazed me and raised my curiosity! How come a lady from Italy can rule our nation! What's her story??!! I always wondered!
When I started reading this book, I had all the answers. This book provides great insight into the life of Sonia Gandhi starting from the beginning of her time. There is so much more to her than just the family name. Although, not an 'auto'biography, it still paints a pretty clear picture of her journey to India and into the politics. A very well written book.
When I started reading this book, I had all the answers. This book provides great insight into the life of Sonia Gandhi starting from the beginning of her time. There is so much more to her than just the family name. Although, not an 'auto'biography, it still paints a pretty clear picture of her journey to India and into the politics. A very well written book.
July 23, 2016
Unbiased. Well informed. To the point.
Sonia Gandhi is the most unique politician India has ever had. Those people that still can't get over her "foreign origins" must read this book. And also, you will interestingly find that politicians like Manmohan and Sonia were apolitical like you and me. Their situation made them forcefully transformed into a new being.
The author is definitely not keeping interest of the Congress or of Sonia for that matter. You will be unleashed to many tainted side of Congress or the India' political arena in general.
Also, you will discover that a simple love story has transformed India's politics for generations to come.
Sonia Gandhi is the most unique politician India has ever had. Those people that still can't get over her "foreign origins" must read this book. And also, you will interestingly find that politicians like Manmohan and Sonia were apolitical like you and me. Their situation made them forcefully transformed into a new being.
The author is definitely not keeping interest of the Congress or of Sonia for that matter. You will be unleashed to many tainted side of Congress or the India' political arena in general.
Also, you will discover that a simple love story has transformed India's politics for generations to come.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews