Ms Tavleen Singh has written an interesting book - "Durbar". The book starts with the imposition of emergency, deals with the rise of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi as a politician and ends with his unfortunate assassination. Ms Tavleen Singh worked as a reporter/ journalist in the 1980s and also met the rich and powerful over innumerable lunches and dinner.

Written in a conversational and a narrative style, Ms Singh shares her sharp observation skills that convey more than what the spoken word convey...

Durbar is an excellent first hand account of some of the most turbulent years in the history of independent India. Tavleen Singh has given an authentic description of landmark events like the Emergency years, failed Janata government experiment, return of Indira Gandhi, turbulent Punjab, anti Sikh pogrom following Mrs. Gandhi's assassination, rise and terrible fall of Rajiv, Bofors, V P Singh, Kashmir etc. Almost every important event has been covered by the author with absolutely genuine inf...

I have always having a limited knowledge about Indian's troubled time since I was not born then. I completed this book in 1 week & really enjoyed the journey through all the chapters. I appreciate the writing from Tavleen Singh since she was a super woman to be at everywhere in all the tragedy Indian through. She has written so well that through out the read I felt I am in 70s-80s era & everything was happening infront of me.

Thanks Tavleen for such a great book!!!!!

Children do not like history even though it can be the most exciting subject in the world. That is simply because the usual historian is staid and dry, he writes because it is his job and dignifying it amounts to raising his own worth as a professional: Too boring for the reader more often than not!

The same events told with flair and wit bring it to life in a way that leaves a lasting impression on the mind, and we become like children, eager and impressionable. Even if this was not so, i...

Just finished reading it and I must say that its one of the best books I have read. The book gives an account of the happenings in India during the 70s and 80s from someone who has seen Indian polity from very close quarters. The book covers some of the most defining events of post-independence India like Emergency, Mrs. Gandhi's assassination, Sanjay Gandhi's death, Insurgency in Punjab and Kashmir in great detail while giving a perspective on how these events led to some of the good and bad...

Well written and documented. It does not sound biased. The writing is very well structured and feels like watching a good political non-fiction movie at times. Highly recommended for those who are interested in Indian politics, especially during the Indira Gandhi- Sanjay Gandhi time.

Since I am regular reader of Indian Express column every Sunday, this book was natural buy. What a book with such an account of contemporary history. Also very good to know that we had some good journalist's among the arm chair ones we see today in the TV studios.

The book gives detailed accounts of the period and first time for God's sake dissects the achievements in logical fashion. Tired of the hagiographies for the first family of India. I recommend all to read it once.

This is one of the best books that I have read so far. Tavleen is an amazing writer. The book though talks about the Indian history, it never bored me. I was hooked to the book till the end. What really made this book stand apart from the rest is the fact that while reading you can actually imagine everything happening right in front of your eyes.
I can't wait to read more from this author.

A very good take on the Rajiv times in Indian History. The author has presented an unbiased view of the political scenario of the post emergency to Rajiv Gandhi era. The closeness to the Gandhi family brings out some interesting moments in the book . Overall, quite an enjoyable read, if you are into Indian politics/ Modern history of India

This is really a good read written very honestly. It took me about 14 hrs to finish the book and that too when I was reading it with leisure.

Its written in very simple english.

One really gets to know what was happening behind the curtains.

I would have really appreciated if the book is even longer but guess thats all the author had to share.