Churchill's Secret War

The British Empire and the Ravaging of India during World War II

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book Churchill's Secret War by Madhusree Mukerjee, Basic Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Madhusree Mukerjee ISBN: 9780465022601
Publisher: Basic Books Publication: August 10, 2010
Imprint: Basic Books Language: English
Author: Madhusree Mukerjee
ISBN: 9780465022601
Publisher: Basic Books
Publication: August 10, 2010
Imprint: Basic Books
Language: English

A dogged enemy of Hitler, resolute ally of the Americans, and inspiring leader through World War II, Winston Churchill is venerated as one of the truly great statesmen of the last century. But while he has been widely extolled for his achievements, parts of Churchill’s record have gone woefully unexamined.

 

As journalist Madhusree Mukerjee reveals, at the same time that Churchill brilliantly opposed the barbarism of the Nazis, he governed India with a fierce resolve to crush its freedom movement and a profound contempt for native lives. A series of Churchill’s decisions between 1940 and 1944 directly and inevitably led to the deaths of some three million Indians. The streets of eastern Indian cities were lined with corpses, yet instead of sending emergency food shipments Churchill used the wheat and ships at his disposal to build stockpiles for feeding postwar Britain and Europe.

Combining meticulous research with a vivid narrative, and riveting accounts of personality and policy clashes within and without the British War Cabinet, Churchill’s Secret War places this oft-overlooked tragedy into the larger context of World War II, India’s fight for freedom, and Churchill’s enduring legacy. Winston Churchill may have found victory in Europe, but, as this groundbreaking historical investigation reveals, his mismanagement—facilitated by dubious advice from scientist and eugenicist Lord Cherwell—devastated India and set the stage for the massive bloodletting that accompanied independence.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A dogged enemy of Hitler, resolute ally of the Americans, and inspiring leader through World War II, Winston Churchill is venerated as one of the truly great statesmen of the last century. But while he has been widely extolled for his achievements, parts of Churchill’s record have gone woefully unexamined.

 

As journalist Madhusree Mukerjee reveals, at the same time that Churchill brilliantly opposed the barbarism of the Nazis, he governed India with a fierce resolve to crush its freedom movement and a profound contempt for native lives. A series of Churchill’s decisions between 1940 and 1944 directly and inevitably led to the deaths of some three million Indians. The streets of eastern Indian cities were lined with corpses, yet instead of sending emergency food shipments Churchill used the wheat and ships at his disposal to build stockpiles for feeding postwar Britain and Europe.

Combining meticulous research with a vivid narrative, and riveting accounts of personality and policy clashes within and without the British War Cabinet, Churchill’s Secret War places this oft-overlooked tragedy into the larger context of World War II, India’s fight for freedom, and Churchill’s enduring legacy. Winston Churchill may have found victory in Europe, but, as this groundbreaking historical investigation reveals, his mismanagement—facilitated by dubious advice from scientist and eugenicist Lord Cherwell—devastated India and set the stage for the massive bloodletting that accompanied independence.

More books from Basic Books

Cover of the book Predators by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Shapeshifters by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Punishment Without Crime by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Voyeur Nation by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Time Traveler by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book The Secret History of the War on Cancer by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Just How Stupid Are We? by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book An Iron Wind by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book A Girl Walks into a Book by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Transgender History, second edition by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Dancing at the Shame Prom by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book Introducing Bert Williams by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book The Fall of the Ottomans by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book The Tinkerers by Madhusree Mukerjee
Cover of the book The List by Madhusree Mukerjee
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy