Leonard A. Gordon

An in-depth study of a freedom fighter’s life, who arguably, paved the way for India’s freedom even though the credit is taken by Gandhi and Co, a fact that is becoming even more evident from archives that are becoming declassified in Russia, Britain and America….

This is a massive scholarly book on a man who is arguably the most controversial man during the freedom movement, a man transformed into a hero and a martyr and perhaps in the process obscuring the real man, a man who was extraordinary by any stretch of imagination, a man who was so feared by the British that they contemplated assassination because unlike Gandhi, he could not be controlled or pacified by mere gestures…..

It maps the growth of his thought process and his maturing ideals for the nation and it also maps without subjectivity his ultimate tragedy – betrayed by the very men he considered to be his colleagues – Nehru, Gandhi and others….

The book can get a bit dry at times because of the incredible amount of information in it, but once you warm up to the subject, even the small parliamentary debates takes up an animated life of its own….

A must read for any Indian and for any person interested in the history where heroes are hanged and false prophets walk around with aureoles….… (mer)