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Atal Bihari Vajpayee : A Man For All Seasons
From being one of the earliest members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Vajpayee blossomed into a leading opposition MP by the late 1960s, went on to become External Affairs Minister in the short-lived Janata government and, finally in 1999, to head the first non-Congress government to complete a full term in office. That it was a coalition government made the feat all the more remarkable, and testifies to the fact that though wedded to a right-wing political ideology, Vajpayee did not believe in the politics of exclusion.
A protégé of Jana Sangh stalwarts like Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Vajpayee won the admiration of Jawaharlal Nehru, was consulted by his daughter Indira Gandhi—whom he never lacked the courage to criticize—and befriended by fiery trade unionist George Fernandes even before they became political allies. He thus displayed an unusual ability to carry along all shades of political opinion—an ability that came to the fore when he headed the National Democratic Alliance government between 1999 and 2004. And behind this public persona was an unusual personal life, conducted with such dignity as to remain free of innuendo.
In this book, journalist Kingshuk Nag traces the political journey of this tall parliamentarian of over four decades, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna in December 2014. Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Man for All Seasons is a definitive account of the life and times of one of India’s most illustrious non-Congress leaders.
A protégé of Jana Sangh stalwarts like Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Vajpayee won the admiration of Jawaharlal Nehru, was consulted by his daughter Indira Gandhi—whom he never lacked the courage to criticize—and befriended by fiery trade unionist George Fernandes even before they became political allies. He thus displayed an unusual ability to carry along all shades of political opinion—an ability that came to the fore when he headed the National Democratic Alliance government between 1999 and 2004. And behind this public persona was an unusual personal life, conducted with such dignity as to remain free of innuendo.
In this book, journalist Kingshuk Nag traces the political journey of this tall parliamentarian of over four decades, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna in December 2014. Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A Man for All Seasons is a definitive account of the life and times of one of India’s most illustrious non-Congress leaders.
189 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 27, 2018
When I went into this book I was not sure how this book would turn out to be. I picked it up because I wanted to read about Atal Bihari Vajpayee - not only about a politician or our former Prime Minister but also about the person Atal. But this book did not really talk much about him like detailed account of his early life. Whatever little was there - all seemed rushed.
The book was more of several pages of praise and celebration of Atal. There were statements from some popular and some unknown random people on how great Atal was. The author should have given details and accounts from Atal's life rather than commend him in every paragraph of the book. Let the readers decide if after reading about Atal in this book they want to admire him or loathe him. Indira by Katherine Frank precisely does that. I feel the authors should not be biased because by doing so they are thrusting their opinion on the readers.
I always prefer books - fiction or non fiction - when the writer leaves the decisions to the readers.
Also, the writing was mediocre.
I am giving three rating just because this book is about Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The book alone is a 1.5/2 star book. I would really like to see in future a proper biography of such an admired politician.
The book was more of several pages of praise and celebration of Atal. There were statements from some popular and some unknown random people on how great Atal was. The author should have given details and accounts from Atal's life rather than commend him in every paragraph of the book. Let the readers decide if after reading about Atal in this book they want to admire him or loathe him. Indira by Katherine Frank precisely does that. I feel the authors should not be biased because by doing so they are thrusting their opinion on the readers.
I always prefer books - fiction or non fiction - when the writer leaves the decisions to the readers.
Also, the writing was mediocre.
I am giving three rating just because this book is about Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The book alone is a 1.5/2 star book. I would really like to see in future a proper biography of such an admired politician.
August 23, 2018
...'The Smiling Buddha', 'Oriental face of reason and resolution, of peace and restraint', 'Eldest Statesman of the east'....
The book starts with "...For Aman Ki Asha, the cause of peace and harmony between India and Pakistan that Atal Bihari Vajpayee tirelessly strove for..." and digs deep into the man and his life that is admired by everyone. The biography which is written on the basis of research work and the interviews taken across admirers, critiques, colleagues, journalists, bureaucrats and most importantly the common people brings out ...A Man for All Seasons.... One can easily read this book as the personality on whom this book is based and the life of the personality makes a reader not only read but to start making positive changes in his approach towards life.
A poet in Atalji says:
बेनकाब चेहरे हैं,
दाग बड़े गहरे हैं,
टूटता तिलस्म, आज सच से भय खाता हूँ ।
गीत नही गाता हूँ ।
Faces are unmasked,
the stains are very deep,
the magic is breaking, today I fear from the truth.
(I) don’t sing a song.
लगी कुछ ऐसी नज़र,
बिखरा शीशे सा शहर,
अपनों के मेले में मीत नहीं पाता हूँ।
गीत नहीं गाता हूँ।
the evil has been cast,
and this glass like city has scattered,
not able to mingle in the union of dear ones.
(I) don’t sing a song.
पीठ मे छुरी सा चाँद,
राहु गया रेखा फाँद,
मुक्ति के क्षणों में बार-बार बँध जाता हूँ।
गीत नहीं गाता हूँ।
moon is stabbed like a knife in the back,
gone to the direction by crossing the line,
get bound every time in the moments of nirvana.
(I) don’t sing a song.
गीत नया गाता हूं
टूटे हुए तारों से फूटे बासंती स्वर
पत्थर की छाती मे उग आया नव अंकुर
झरे सब पीले पात कोयल की कुहुक रात
प्राची मे अरुणिम की रेख देख पता हूं
गीत नया गाता हूं
टूटे हुए सपनों की कौन सुने सिसकी
अन्तर की चीर व्यथा पलकों पर ठिठकी
हार नहीं मानूंगा, रार नहीं ठानूंगा,
काल के कपाल पे लिखता मिटाता हूं
गीत नया गाता हूं
But the situation changed, the mood changed, the poet said, "I will write!"
The poet wrote -
Sing new song, sing new song
Broken vapors
New shoots sprouted in the stone chest
All white yellow, cuckoo night
In Prachi, see Arunima's look
Sing new song, sing new song
Its the last -
Who listened to broken dreams, sikki?
Ripples to the difference, pain on the eyelids
Do not give up, I will be new
On the forehead of time, I write
Sing new song, sing new song.
This poem written by Atalji shows what he was. It brings out his character and his pursuit of life.
Atalji was not just a Politician, he was a great Parliamentarian, a good poet, a True Patriot, a Political Party founder larger than the political size of his party. He is in it and above it, keeping his moral system beyond the grasp of real politik even beyond the demands of his own party and above all a very kind Humanist.
To conclude(One cannot come to a conclusion about this great person) Atalji was a man who changed the grammar of leadership.
A must read for everyone...
The book starts with "...For Aman Ki Asha, the cause of peace and harmony between India and Pakistan that Atal Bihari Vajpayee tirelessly strove for..." and digs deep into the man and his life that is admired by everyone. The biography which is written on the basis of research work and the interviews taken across admirers, critiques, colleagues, journalists, bureaucrats and most importantly the common people brings out ...A Man for All Seasons.... One can easily read this book as the personality on whom this book is based and the life of the personality makes a reader not only read but to start making positive changes in his approach towards life.
A poet in Atalji says:
बेनकाब चेहरे हैं,
दाग बड़े गहरे हैं,
टूटता तिलस्म, आज सच से भय खाता हूँ ।
गीत नही गाता हूँ ।
Faces are unmasked,
the stains are very deep,
the magic is breaking, today I fear from the truth.
(I) don’t sing a song.
लगी कुछ ऐसी नज़र,
बिखरा शीशे सा शहर,
अपनों के मेले में मीत नहीं पाता हूँ।
गीत नहीं गाता हूँ।
the evil has been cast,
and this glass like city has scattered,
not able to mingle in the union of dear ones.
(I) don’t sing a song.
पीठ मे छुरी सा चाँद,
राहु गया रेखा फाँद,
मुक्ति के क्षणों में बार-बार बँध जाता हूँ।
गीत नहीं गाता हूँ।
moon is stabbed like a knife in the back,
gone to the direction by crossing the line,
get bound every time in the moments of nirvana.
(I) don’t sing a song.
गीत नया गाता हूं
टूटे हुए तारों से फूटे बासंती स्वर
पत्थर की छाती मे उग आया नव अंकुर
झरे सब पीले पात कोयल की कुहुक रात
प्राची मे अरुणिम की रेख देख पता हूं
गीत नया गाता हूं
टूटे हुए सपनों की कौन सुने सिसकी
अन्तर की चीर व्यथा पलकों पर ठिठकी
हार नहीं मानूंगा, रार नहीं ठानूंगा,
काल के कपाल पे लिखता मिटाता हूं
गीत नया गाता हूं
But the situation changed, the mood changed, the poet said, "I will write!"
The poet wrote -
Sing new song, sing new song
Broken vapors
New shoots sprouted in the stone chest
All white yellow, cuckoo night
In Prachi, see Arunima's look
Sing new song, sing new song
Its the last -
Who listened to broken dreams, sikki?
Ripples to the difference, pain on the eyelids
Do not give up, I will be new
On the forehead of time, I write
Sing new song, sing new song.
This poem written by Atalji shows what he was. It brings out his character and his pursuit of life.
Atalji was not just a Politician, he was a great Parliamentarian, a good poet, a True Patriot, a Political Party founder larger than the political size of his party. He is in it and above it, keeping his moral system beyond the grasp of real politik even beyond the demands of his own party and above all a very kind Humanist.
To conclude(One cannot come to a conclusion about this great person) Atalji was a man who changed the grammar of leadership.
A must read for everyone...
March 27, 2016
This book gives a balanced account of Vajpayee as a human being, statesman as well as the Prime Minister. The style of writing is lucid and the book can be completed in one or 2 sessions even by a slow reader like me.
I wish the book had interviewed Mr. Vajpayee himself so that he could give clarifications on various issues. However, by the time this book was written Mr. Vajpayee had Alzheimer' s disease.
The interesting part of the book included Nehru's fondness for Vajpayee and Vajpayee's tussle with the RSS when he was the Prime Minister. Not too much is written in this book about the early childhood of Mr.Vajpayee.
All in all, a very interesting book for someone who is interested in modern politics of India and Indian leaders.
I wish the book had interviewed Mr. Vajpayee himself so that he could give clarifications on various issues. However, by the time this book was written Mr. Vajpayee had Alzheimer' s disease.
The interesting part of the book included Nehru's fondness for Vajpayee and Vajpayee's tussle with the RSS when he was the Prime Minister. Not too much is written in this book about the early childhood of Mr.Vajpayee.
All in all, a very interesting book for someone who is interested in modern politics of India and Indian leaders.
August 19, 2018
Its a book for beginners.
The book is a mere compilation of factual account of Mr Vajpayee's life and lacks any insights into his persona.
For someone who was expecting to get a critical analysis of a man whose depth and diversity offers so much to explore, this book left a lot to be asked.
The author does acknowledges how vajpayee evolved from a staunch sangh pracharak to a liberal consensus builder but it never explored the evolution in any details.
Vajapayee the youth leader, the journalist and the poet are only a factual mention and how it intertwine with vajapyee the leader is left unanalysed.
The book is a mere compilation of factual account of Mr Vajpayee's life and lacks any insights into his persona.
For someone who was expecting to get a critical analysis of a man whose depth and diversity offers so much to explore, this book left a lot to be asked.
The author does acknowledges how vajpayee evolved from a staunch sangh pracharak to a liberal consensus builder but it never explored the evolution in any details.
Vajapayee the youth leader, the journalist and the poet are only a factual mention and how it intertwine with vajapyee the leader is left unanalysed.
April 26, 2018
I had only heard his name. I knew he was the PM of India when I was barely 7 years old. I knew that he spoke with a lot of pauses and had the ability to fly wily rejoinders across the house using hindi poetry leaving the opponents scratching their head. So one thing was clear, he is a man who has an exceptional command over his language and wears his nationality on his sleeve. But he is so much more than that
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was 33 years old when he first became an MP in Lok Sabha. He contested from three constituencies: Lucknow, Balrampur and Mathura and won from Balrampur. Why am I mentioning this? His age is what one needs to look at. He has been one of the youngest members to enter into Parliament. Not only this, he commanded tremendous respect even from the political bigwigs which includes Jawahar Lal Nehru himself but more on that is in the book itself
Let me tell you about the misconceptions that I had about him. He has been RSS member from his youth and unfortunately, that fact automatically creates an image of extremism. But ironically, he ha always been a moderate guy and used to denounce extremism himself. His stance used to create a lot of discomfort for the Sangh Parivar. This temerity of Mr Vajpayee was made possible by the two very important personalities who had a great impact in his life:
1) Shyama Prasad Mukherjee: He was the founder of the political party Jan Sangh of which young Vajpayee was a member of. This party was not associated to RSS from its genesis. Mr Mukherjee though realized that in order to propagate the party ideas he needed men so he requested RSS to provide them with some volunteers. RSS at that time was run by Mr Golwalkar and he had made it amply clear from the start that RSS is not interested in political exercises and its aim is to nurse cultural nationalism. Once Mr Mukherjee died he realized how a political party can help towards their cause
2) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya: After the death of Mr Mukherjee, he led the Jana Sangh. He mentored Atal and always pushed him to his limits. He was also a moderate and didn't believe that way to national glory is through the path of religion
When Jana Sangh lost bitterly in the year 1984, in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani decided that the image of the party has became of a hardliner and that it needs to go. So on 1980, they founded Bhartiya Janata Party(BJP). Its foundation stones were based on Gandhian socialism and positive secularism. RSS didn't like this. They wanted the new party to be communal at heart but such was the charisma, stature and seniority of Mr Vajpayee that nobody could say anything. Alas! this party has also fell to the clutches of its parent and the leadership seems to be a proponent of the same ideology as well but that story is for some other time
Lastly, in order to show how reform friendly and liberal was Mr Vajpayee, lets look on to the noteworthy achievements of his government:
1) He was responsible for the privatization of 8 PSUs which includes VSNL, Hindustan Zinc and BALCO
2) Under his government, NHAI worked on mission mode and completed the golden quadrilateral of highways which connected the four big cities of India--> Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata
3) He opened up the Insurance sector to private investment which included both domestic and foreign investment
4) He was the pioneer of education program Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan which established education as a social right
5) He divided three states into smaller ones where there was no such demand on any basis just so that the governance could be improved--> UP, MP and Bihar
6) The government of his time was famously punished by the outsiders and praised by the insiders for the nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran
7) In his tenure, Indian defense capabilities improved as well which includes induction of missiles like--> Agni 1 and 2, Bramhos
"Actions speak louder than words"
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was 33 years old when he first became an MP in Lok Sabha. He contested from three constituencies: Lucknow, Balrampur and Mathura and won from Balrampur. Why am I mentioning this? His age is what one needs to look at. He has been one of the youngest members to enter into Parliament. Not only this, he commanded tremendous respect even from the political bigwigs which includes Jawahar Lal Nehru himself but more on that is in the book itself
Let me tell you about the misconceptions that I had about him. He has been RSS member from his youth and unfortunately, that fact automatically creates an image of extremism. But ironically, he ha always been a moderate guy and used to denounce extremism himself. His stance used to create a lot of discomfort for the Sangh Parivar. This temerity of Mr Vajpayee was made possible by the two very important personalities who had a great impact in his life:
1) Shyama Prasad Mukherjee: He was the founder of the political party Jan Sangh of which young Vajpayee was a member of. This party was not associated to RSS from its genesis. Mr Mukherjee though realized that in order to propagate the party ideas he needed men so he requested RSS to provide them with some volunteers. RSS at that time was run by Mr Golwalkar and he had made it amply clear from the start that RSS is not interested in political exercises and its aim is to nurse cultural nationalism. Once Mr Mukherjee died he realized how a political party can help towards their cause
2) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya: After the death of Mr Mukherjee, he led the Jana Sangh. He mentored Atal and always pushed him to his limits. He was also a moderate and didn't believe that way to national glory is through the path of religion
When Jana Sangh lost bitterly in the year 1984, in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani decided that the image of the party has became of a hardliner and that it needs to go. So on 1980, they founded Bhartiya Janata Party(BJP). Its foundation stones were based on Gandhian socialism and positive secularism. RSS didn't like this. They wanted the new party to be communal at heart but such was the charisma, stature and seniority of Mr Vajpayee that nobody could say anything. Alas! this party has also fell to the clutches of its parent and the leadership seems to be a proponent of the same ideology as well but that story is for some other time
Lastly, in order to show how reform friendly and liberal was Mr Vajpayee, lets look on to the noteworthy achievements of his government:
1) He was responsible for the privatization of 8 PSUs which includes VSNL, Hindustan Zinc and BALCO
2) Under his government, NHAI worked on mission mode and completed the golden quadrilateral of highways which connected the four big cities of India--> Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata
3) He opened up the Insurance sector to private investment which included both domestic and foreign investment
4) He was the pioneer of education program Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan which established education as a social right
5) He divided three states into smaller ones where there was no such demand on any basis just so that the governance could be improved--> UP, MP and Bihar
6) The government of his time was famously punished by the outsiders and praised by the insiders for the nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran
7) In his tenure, Indian defense capabilities improved as well which includes induction of missiles like--> Agni 1 and 2, Bramhos
"Actions speak louder than words"
August 19, 2018
This book on Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee traces his whole life.apart from the general stuff which keeps on popping in everyday media, this book offers insights in some of the unknown facets of his life. Most strikingly his strained relation with his alma mater RSS (he came in contact with it as early as 1940) when K.S Sudarshan was the Sarsanghchalak. many times he was at the receiving end of both RSS & it's affiliate organisations like V.H.P due to his moderate and liberal approach.his liberal economic policies also came under sharp criticism from the Swadeshi Brigade.he surrounded himself with moderate politicians like Jaswant Singh, and kept RSS at a bay when it came to governance and decision making. Surprisingly efforts were made at several instances to remove him from the helm of affairs.The RSS declared after the loss in 2004, ‘The party has Vyakti and Vikas but no Vichardhara.’
differences also emerged when BJP was founded in 1980,Atal espoused Gandhian Socialism as the party's ideology which was unacceptable to many.
however,he knew the art of compromise and taking all together.he distanced himself during Ayodhya controversy and showed his disappointment with the way event had unfolded.Nonetheless his economic policy paved the way for higher economic growth throughout the first decade of 21st century.Road projects, Telecom Policy and Privatisation were the flag bearers among them.on the external affairs front he knew that India's bright future lies in having friendly relation with it's neighbours especially Pakistan.Despite being cheated and put down on many occasions he never shied to show friendly gestures. Soft as he was from outside,much harder was he from within.well knowing the repercussions of doing a nuclear test, he went ahead with it, facing sharp criticism from international fora and various sanctions that followed.
Nehru was awed with the oratory skills of young Vajpayee and listened to him with rapt attention.
Nehru once introduced Atal to the British prime minister, stating, ‘He is a young leader of the opposition who is always criticizing me, but I see in him a great future.'It is said that at another reception, Nehru introduced Atal as one who could be a future prime minister.
Vajpayee too admired Nehru at looked upto him.when he entered Ministry of external affairs,he spotted a vacant space on the wall and it immediately occurred to him that what was missing was a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru that used to hang on the wall. 'Where is it? I want it back’ he had said.
Atalji remains one of the unparalleled and towering Statesmen India has came across.
differences also emerged when BJP was founded in 1980,Atal espoused Gandhian Socialism as the party's ideology which was unacceptable to many.
however,he knew the art of compromise and taking all together.he distanced himself during Ayodhya controversy and showed his disappointment with the way event had unfolded.Nonetheless his economic policy paved the way for higher economic growth throughout the first decade of 21st century.Road projects, Telecom Policy and Privatisation were the flag bearers among them.on the external affairs front he knew that India's bright future lies in having friendly relation with it's neighbours especially Pakistan.Despite being cheated and put down on many occasions he never shied to show friendly gestures. Soft as he was from outside,much harder was he from within.well knowing the repercussions of doing a nuclear test, he went ahead with it, facing sharp criticism from international fora and various sanctions that followed.
Nehru was awed with the oratory skills of young Vajpayee and listened to him with rapt attention.
Nehru once introduced Atal to the British prime minister, stating, ‘He is a young leader of the opposition who is always criticizing me, but I see in him a great future.'It is said that at another reception, Nehru introduced Atal as one who could be a future prime minister.
Vajpayee too admired Nehru at looked upto him.when he entered Ministry of external affairs,he spotted a vacant space on the wall and it immediately occurred to him that what was missing was a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru that used to hang on the wall. 'Where is it? I want it back’ he had said.
Atalji remains one of the unparalleled and towering Statesmen India has came across.
Read
January 6, 2016Stumbled upon this book by sheer accident. But it helped me understand the working of a man considered as the epitome leader of modern india and rightly so. Atal bihari vajpayee still is the benchmark politician who should be reverred so. The intial formative years have not been described and only those things have been taken into account that would connect the present with his past. The workings of the rss , his dealings with people who agree with him and also those who are his contemporaries and political rivals, his sense of humour, his views on the future if india and the patriotism with which he worked incessantly just to 'do good' for his fellow countrymen. I dont know or havent read about any other leader who could appeal to this extent to the masses and the classes alike. Strange that india could only have the good fortune of having him as the prime minister just once is truely heart wrenching. Wish he would get better and lead this country and again give it a reason to shine. His all encompassing nature, his practical and strong views are awe inspiring. A truely beautiful and inspiring read.
January 20, 2016
The book does not do justice to the man. Parts of it do not remain objective. But having said this, it is undeniable that Vajpayeeji has been one of the most influential political figures of his era, and was a statesman-politician. The book contains several valuable insights into why Vajpayeeji could be all that he was, and some very important lessons for contemporary times. It is unfortunate that today, this giant amongst men is now confined to a state where the official photographs of him receiving the Bharat Ratna award did/could not show his face.
May 2, 2016
The title must add a line saying, a Fan Boy's account. I've read many political biographies and this one seems very half-hearted, very biased and one rather shoddy worked on. Don't read this if you want an objective account of the man. This one seems to, either deliberately or otherwise, gloss over many instances which have shaped perceptions of Vajpayee and Vajpayee's actions. I won't recommend it. Disappointed with the effort, Mr Nag, since I expected so much better from a seasoned journalist like you.
July 5, 2020
The most beloved Prime minister of hindustan (India)
-------------------------------------------------------
This book is divided into the following thirteen chapters -
* The formative years
* Getting into politics
* Leading the Jana Sangh
* Love, life and poetry
* The man and his style
* Janata raj and the BJP
* Witness to ayodhya
* Post ayodhya to Prime minister
* Pursuing peace
* Dealing with Alma mater
* Reviving up the economy
* Exiting power
* A statesman par excellence
For more information you can also visit - https://dontbignorant.in/atal-bihari-...
-------------------------------------------------------
This book is divided into the following thirteen chapters -
* The formative years
* Getting into politics
* Leading the Jana Sangh
* Love, life and poetry
* The man and his style
* Janata raj and the BJP
* Witness to ayodhya
* Post ayodhya to Prime minister
* Pursuing peace
* Dealing with Alma mater
* Reviving up the economy
* Exiting power
* A statesman par excellence
For more information you can also visit - https://dontbignorant.in/atal-bihari-...
March 19, 2018
Loved reading it. Atalji is anyways one of my most admired personalties across fields and the author has done a great job in capturing all aspects of his life in the most balanced manner. Wish it was a bit more detailed but thats also to do with Ataljis mesmerizing personality :)
July 10, 2019
Good book but from Socialistic eye
There was a very high opinion about Vajpeyeeji in Pariwar which the author has failed.to capture. It it a bit one sided opinion of pariwar by the author. May be his Delhi connection and the relations with Leutyan Delhi is the reason.
There was a very high opinion about Vajpeyeeji in Pariwar which the author has failed.to capture. It it a bit one sided opinion of pariwar by the author. May be his Delhi connection and the relations with Leutyan Delhi is the reason.
April 28, 2021
He was the statesman who conqured the world not by power but the way world should be win.
May 11, 2020
The book takes us from Vajpayee's early years in 1930s when he joined RSS to how he grew to one of the most respected PMs of India. His early years in politics, his mentors in Sangh, how the BJP was formed, his relations with RSS during his PM years, the 2002 Gujarat riots, the Babri Masjid demolition and his views, etc. He was no doubt having to manage a coalition and it is natural that he took a moderate view. An excellent book about BJP's first PM.
November 16, 2017
Author has successfully enumerated a bird eye view into the life of one of the most greatest PM of India though his ideas and visions which the author substantiates through stories and narrations of others.
What is missing is definitely Atalji's own account of what happened but the overall picture is pretty intense and remarkable.
The best part of the book is definitely the relations ship with the Sangh and his tenure as the Prime Minister of the country three times. Atalji's role infact gains more importance because of his Shining India vision and painstaking efforts like the Golden Quad, BSNL set up and his Pakistan Policy for which he is remembered till today as the biggest peacemaker. Parliament was attacked , India went nuclear and we faced the Kargil incursions and IC814 yet it was this many who survived all pressure including the George Bush rant to put boots in Iraq. Sangh and his diversion on all these occasions have been well accounted however his autonomy and effort to keep it separate is probably what make this story more interesting and readable.
THe best of the book is his handling of the RSS as power passed both in the Jan Sangh and RSS from people to people and how he managed each and every instance. RSS hierarchy from GOlwalkar, Balasaheb Dewras and Sudarshan is covered including places where he had to give up like during the Ramjanma BHoomi Movement and the 2002 Riots but there were instances where he sidelined Sangh in favor of a more secular part as he believed Shayam Mukherjee envisioned.
This also included breaking the Jan Sangh through converting it into BJP after the Janta Party ideology of JP Narayan. Raised as a RSS PRacharak sinch 1939 the stories covers his rise to political power with the Jan Sangh and his tussles within the party including handling fac tions like Balraj Madhok and later establishing BJP and leading and defending it through Ram Janmabhoomi Movement to final victory and forming government 3 times between 1996-2004.
For people who know post independence history well would enjoy they various storylines and importance of changing circumstances and behaviour of main actors even more.
What is missing is definitely Atalji's own account of what happened but the overall picture is pretty intense and remarkable.
The best part of the book is definitely the relations ship with the Sangh and his tenure as the Prime Minister of the country three times. Atalji's role infact gains more importance because of his Shining India vision and painstaking efforts like the Golden Quad, BSNL set up and his Pakistan Policy for which he is remembered till today as the biggest peacemaker. Parliament was attacked , India went nuclear and we faced the Kargil incursions and IC814 yet it was this many who survived all pressure including the George Bush rant to put boots in Iraq. Sangh and his diversion on all these occasions have been well accounted however his autonomy and effort to keep it separate is probably what make this story more interesting and readable.
THe best of the book is his handling of the RSS as power passed both in the Jan Sangh and RSS from people to people and how he managed each and every instance. RSS hierarchy from GOlwalkar, Balasaheb Dewras and Sudarshan is covered including places where he had to give up like during the Ramjanma BHoomi Movement and the 2002 Riots but there were instances where he sidelined Sangh in favor of a more secular part as he believed Shayam Mukherjee envisioned.
This also included breaking the Jan Sangh through converting it into BJP after the Janta Party ideology of JP Narayan. Raised as a RSS PRacharak sinch 1939 the stories covers his rise to political power with the Jan Sangh and his tussles within the party including handling fac tions like Balraj Madhok and later establishing BJP and leading and defending it through Ram Janmabhoomi Movement to final victory and forming government 3 times between 1996-2004.
For people who know post independence history well would enjoy they various storylines and importance of changing circumstances and behaviour of main actors even more.
September 8, 2018
Got to know a lot about Atalji through this book...The author has wonderfully explained the ups and downs faced by Atalji in his political career...Also we get an insight about his personal life as well..The book further increases the respect for Atalji's great personality..!!
December 9, 2016
The book provides some very interesting insights into a number of unknown facets of Atal Behari Vajpayee. His relationship with the RSS and its Chiefs are quite revealing. Here was a man who had no enemies, including Pakistan, but was eloquent in his criticism whenever he felt strongly about an issue. He praised even his adversaries. Despite being a severe critic of many policies of Nehru, he termed Nehru as an "honest man who was never afraid of negotiation and never negotiated with fear". This aspect of Vajpayee's persona come out vividly in the book as the author goes on to quote the great man : "Greatness does not come from bigness of position or out of victory in wars. Greatness comes out of showing respect for others and being sensitive to their needs".
December 30, 2018
Vajpayee was very private person, he never discussed his private life anywhere, So i accepted that there wont be any complete biography on him. I followed him since I started taking interest in politics. I read about him a lot in newspapers, articles, and magazine over the years. So for me, this book does not offer anything new. But this book put all the incidents/events of his life sequentially and systematically very well so you don't have to put efforts in connecting dots in various events of his life. This books covers almost all the aspects of his life available out there in public. Writing is good, keeps you interested till the end.
April 8, 2017
The book gives insights about Atalji's life in detail. Although many of the incidents listed in the book are known in the public space, the book is worth reading for some of the unknown incidents. The presentation in the book doesn't live up to the reputation of the author. At some point, the book feels like random collection of incidents, not stitched together by any coherent thread.
However, the book is worth a read to understand the life of one of the greatest statesman, India has ever seen.
However, the book is worth a read to understand the life of one of the greatest statesman, India has ever seen.
June 17, 2016
this biography was a fairly one-sided analysis of vajpayee's political career. all of vajpayee's faults and screw ups have been expunged. however, it is a decent introduction and overview of bjp's first pm. reading his story gave me the distinct impression that modi was trying ape vajpayee in several ways, even the date of oath taking matches.
March 5, 2017
Introductory book on vajpayee
Atalji were present much before I born. I was in my student life when he was prime minister. Personally I never saw him but his speeches, statements always assured me that he is there for us all. But I never knew much about it. This book introduces us to this bharatratna. But it does not go in depth, so didn't give full stars
Atalji were present much before I born. I was in my student life when he was prime minister. Personally I never saw him but his speeches, statements always assured me that he is there for us all. But I never knew much about it. This book introduces us to this bharatratna. But it does not go in depth, so didn't give full stars
February 4, 2016
This book gives a good insight into the private life of Vajpayee and the politics that unfolded behind the scenes within the Sangh Parivar but I was left with a feeling that the book did not do enough justice to Vajpayee and his contributions to the Indian polity.
August 27, 2018
The book plays out more like a history text book rather than an biography. The author keeps everything short and simple. The different players which helped the NDA in it's tenure has not been touched upon at all. It is a one time read.
Edit: changed a silly mistake...
Edit: changed a silly mistake...
August 22, 2018
Interesting read
A well written book on one of the world's greatest statesman. It tries to give a view of the various sides of the titan. A good read for everyone.
A well written book on one of the world's greatest statesman. It tries to give a view of the various sides of the titan. A good read for everyone.
December 21, 2015
Brief but incisive... for more views read, https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/con...
February 23, 2016
There are very few books on the Ex PM. This book though did not do justice to the persona of Atal ji but with given option certainly a very well written book.
August 8, 2016
A decent biography, which devotes equal time to his career from start to end.
Not very deeply researched. Mostly a birds-eye view !
Not very deeply researched. Mostly a birds-eye view !
October 22, 2016
Hello, Wikipedia?
July 24, 2017
Good book by Kingshuk Nag chronicling the story of Bhishm pitamah of modern Indian politics.
October 4, 2017
Great content but the author could have done a better job in placing the context / tieing up various aspects.
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