I have always felt that good biographers are like magicians - the way they peel out the ever complicated layers of a persona is nothing but pure magic.
Just finished reading a magnificent biography by debut author Abhishek Choudhary.
The book Vajpayee - The Ascent of the Hindu Right (1924-1977) is a masterpiece that brilliantly puts into perspective the life and career of a leader whose imprint on Indian politics will likely be felt for a long time to come.
Abhishek skillfully uncovers many unknown, misunderstood, and misrepresented facts not only about Vajpayee's life but also about the organizations and people that directly or indirectly shaped him. He weaves this all wonderfully in the ever-changing political landscape of the country pre and post independence.
The book reads like an engrossing novel. Yet, looking at how well the sources have been assembled and quoted, you can't escape appreciating the top-class journalistic and academic rigour that has gone into researching and writing the book.
Best part: like all great biographies, this one does not eulogise Vajpayee nor does it condemn him. It objectively brings out his grit, determination, and political astuteness as much as his doublespeak, opportunism, and a rather bemusing personal life. As is true of all lives, things are never really black or white but always a shade of grey, shaped by the context. Abhishek has painted this grey for Vajpayee's life with admirable objectivity and detachment.
Warning: while this may seem like a well timed book ahead of an election year, you would be disappointed if you read it with the hope of validating your political and ideological leanings.
Eagerly looking forward to part 2 of the book.
#india #vajpayee #biography #politics #history
Pan Macmillan India