Seldom can you call a work of non-fiction ‘unputdownable’. The later phrase is reserved for the Dan Browns and the Forsyths. Coming from a historian, a non-fiction, which Ramachandra Guha’s latest offering Patriots and Partisans (2012) is, the phrase ‘unputdownable’ might appear to be an exaggeration for many. But after reading 334 pages, without taking recourse to any in-between fiction to keep the monotony of a non-fictional work at bay, I would say that my using of that phrase ‘unputdownab...

Ramchandra Guha is one of my favorite writer/ commentator of India. His great style of fluid writing is on display in this book also.

While many might agree and disagree with few facets of his observations, overall I found is quite good and at par with India After Gandhi.

If you love Guha's writing style and is open to his observations and views, this book will be a good read for you about Indian Political Scenario. This however is not a book on 'unknown' 'undercover' or 'classifieds' so ...

The book Patriots & Partisans by eminent historian Ramachandra Guha is a great combination of various essays on democracy, politics, people and sociology. The essays are divided into two parts: Part I named Debating Democracy comprises of 9 essays covering a wide range of topics related to politics and democracy; Part II names The World and The World has 6 essays that highlight personalities and people who have contributed to enriching intellectualism in India.


Guha starts his preface with...

The book covers up the ground that might not have been covered in India after Gandhi. This is not say that two books could be compared or India after Gandhi was not exhaustive but certain areas where one would have been more interested in were there.

The book takes us inside the different political parties and some movements which have taken place in India post independence. The commentary is very strong and apolitical and since it is a collection of essays, in depth examination of particul...

I have been following books by Ramchandra Guha for some time - beginning with the classic " India after Gandhi". This book is also very well written - especially essays like " A short history of Congress Chamchagiri". The authors astute observations find resonance with your own feelings. The chapter devoted to the Nehru Memorial Library is also an eye-opener. Though the author is known more for being a historian,I am looking forward to more books by him on contemporary topics.

Some might criticize him for Belle-Lettrism, some for giving way too much importance to individuals rather than the fluid streams of history. And some of that might be true as well. Still, Ramchandra Guha's books are very readable and give a unique sense of pleasure. A strongly worded liberal, always ready to voice opinion against intolerance and fascist tendencies of any kind, he does make history much more accessible to the lay person. Though this book is more a collection of memoirs than a...

This is Ramachandra Guha at a phase in his career where he can be assured that he can write about anything he pleases and it will sell. The topics covered in this collection of essays is almost bizarrely diverse - from a long rant about the Nehru Memorial Library in Delhi to a sentimental piece about Premier Bookshop In Bangalore. The great thing is its all very well written. His essay "The Beauty of Compromise" is probably worth the price of the book. Definitely worth reading.

Brilliantly written. The book provides a critique of various socio-political and cultural and economical events that has shaped this country. very insightful and thoroughly researched, Ramachandra Guha has been at his best in sharing his original thoughts and explanations on different topics concerning but not limited to the idea of India. Be it Hindu nationalists or Nehruvian socialism, market economics or Maoist incursions, he has a clear and logical explanation for it all. This book has s...

such a good book... Ram Guha wrote a series of books of which this is the third one... the other three's are namely Makers of modern india,India after gandhi and Democrats and dissenters... Every book of this series gives a perspective of every ideology around us and also a comparative account of the happenings in india to the happenings of other nations... afterall very good book, full of knowledge... Is exactly what I wanted...

Probably this is the only non-fiction which I could finish very quickly, without taking many breaks. The authors tried his writing on various aspects. Very interesting analysis. Certain essays though are my interest - The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML),
Premier Book Shop, Bangalore AND Economic and Political Weekly (EPW).