Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India

Well researched, incisive and no holds barred account of our tryst with the Empire. Eminently readable

I like it

It's better to buy An era of darkness as it's cheaper.

Good

good

I purchased a hard copy of the book and gave it a read. The content is very well researched and provides proofs and attestations with every quoted fact, but the editing quality leaves a lot demandng.Firstly there is no structure in the book. There are no page numbers, index or chapters. I have a hard time tracking my progress of the book or finding a piece of text I read earlier.Storytelling seems like a bunch of thoughts were put down on paper, later references and corroborating information were added. The information within a chapter doesn't sound like coherent story.Overall I would say that book does justice to the topic and does a good job at informing the reader about facts, albeit with underwhelming storytelling.

Very informative book.

It is an excellent analysis of the British Empire. The flow of the book, it's language structure is very engaging. Above all, listening to it being narrated by Shashi Tharoor is such a delight, he brings out all the emotions and reactions in the reader as much through his words as by his voice.

The book systematically debunks all false notions and dishonest claims that British Empire was benign to India! Britain has lived the life of a parasite sucking all life out of India for 200 years! The numbers, details on the wealth swindled, how Brits set the clock back & stunted India’s development are staggering. So called British Indian army, for example, made of Indians, entirely paid by dirt poor Indians was deployed all over the world for various wars, WW1&2. Details painful to read at times. More appalling are the details on how Brits promoted hate & enmity between groups as a main tool to sustain the Empire. My opinion on Churchill has been lowered even further which I didn’t think was possible be for reading this book.Must read for anyone wanting to know of Indian history 17th -20 th century!!!

I feel like I relearned the history that I was taught in school. very insightful, thought provoking and definitely very well written. if you want to learn more about our history, you have to look into this book.

The author sets out to argue against the notion that the British presence in India was a good thing. It is a point of view that must be read and considered carefully before any apology for British colonialism is made, with facts and viewpoints often overlooked by those extolling the virtues of empire. Whatever your viewpoint, the argument of the author must be taken into account before you can say your viewpoint is well informed.

I had heard of some things done by the British such as the Amritsar massacre, and the poor treatment of Indian people, mostly from films, but I had no idea of the depths of depravity of those involved. I agree with other reviewers, that this kind of material should be taught in schools. I found the book both fascinating and horrifying, like a slow-motion wreck. I admire the author's passion and position on the subject, and his impeccable writing style. As noted by one of the critics, for a Brit, it is indeed uncomfortable reading.

The reason why this book is maybe a bit longer than necessary lay also in colonialism. The author has to make a point for almost all his statements, by providing a western (or better say Anglo-American) sources.I'm looking forward for a world in which that would be unnecessary.