Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi

by Katherine Frank
Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 155
  • Added: 2025-09-03
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • ISBN: 9780002556460
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2001-01-01
  • Formats: 37
  • Reviews: 4

Indira Gandhi's life, from her birth in 1917 through partition and up to her assassination in 1984, was dominated by the politics of her country. Always directly involved in India's turbulent 20th-century history, once she accepted the mantle of power, she became one of the world's most powerful and significant women. This biography focuses on Gandhi's role as a female leader of men in one of the most chauvinistic, complex and politicized cultures in the world.

Reviews
fivebooks.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
insightful 4.50

The reviewer praises Katherine Frank's biography of Indira Gandhi, highlighting her deep research and insightful analysis. They appreciate the book's comprehensive coverage of Gandhi's life and political career, noting its balanced perspective on her complex legacy.

Katherine Frank's biography of Indira Gandhi is a meticulously researched and insightful exploration of one of India's most influential leaders. The reviewer commends Frank's ability to delve into Gandhi's personal and political life, providing a nuanced portrait of a woman who shaped modern India. The book is praised for its balanced approach, acknowledging both Gandhi's strengths and her controversial decisions. The reviewer finds the narrative engaging and well-structured, making it a valuable read for those interested in Indian politics and history. They particularly appreciate Frank's use of primary sources and interviews, which add depth to the biography. Overall, the book is seen as a significant contribution to the understanding of Indira Gandhi's legacy.

Quick quotes

    Katherine Frank's biography is a meticulously researched and insightful exploration of one of India's most influential leaders.

    The reviewer commends Frank's ability to delve into Gandhi's personal and political life, providing a nuanced portrait of a woman who shaped modern India.

    The book is praised for its balanced approach, acknowledging both Gandhi's strengths and her controversial decisions.

publishersweekly.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
excellent 4.50

Geoffrey Moorhouse praises Katherine Frank's biography of Indira Gandhi, highlighting her dedication to a secular India and her tragic end. The book is noted for its detailed portrayal of Indira's life and her struggle to continue her father's legacy.

Geoffrey Moorhouse commends Katherine Frank's biography of Indira Gandhi, emphasizing the book's excellence in capturing the life of a woman who dedicated herself to the vision of a secular India. Moorhouse reflects on his personal memories of Indira Gandhi's assassination and the subsequent violence, which he sees as a tragic indication of her unfinished mission. The biography is praised for its detailed account of Indira's life, her relationship with her father Jawaharlal Nehru, and her efforts to combat poverty and inequality. Moorhouse also notes the contrasting personalities of Indira and Margaret Thatcher, highlighting Indira's compassionate side, such as her voluntary work in refugee camps during Partition.

Quick quotes

    Katherine Frank suggests in this excellent biography, the carnage that broke out after the assassination - more than 2,000 Sikhs were slaughtered in Delhi alone - was a depressing indication that Indira Gandhi's great mission in life, which she had inherited from her father, had failed.

    The story of Indira Gandhi is a chronicle of what, between them, they did achieve; and although it is now spat upon by their infinitely less worthy successors, that was no small thing.

    Indira wanted to carry this on, and to do more: she wanted to put an end to her people's everlasting poverty, the more obscene because it was too often endured in the shadow of high walls protecting unimaginable wealth and privilege.

literaryreview.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-09-18
insightful 4.50

The book provides a comprehensive and nuanced look at Indira Gandhi's life, highlighting her political acumen and the complexities of her leadership. It offers a balanced perspective, acknowledging her strengths and controversies, making it a valuable read for those interested in Indian politics.

The reviewer found 'Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi' to be a well-researched and engaging biography that delves deep into the personal and political life of one of India's most influential leaders. They appreciated the author's ability to present a balanced view, showcasing Gandhi's political prowess and the challenges she faced. The book is praised for its thoroughness and the insights it provides into the historical context of her reign. However, the reviewer notes that some sections might be dense for casual readers, but overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of Indian politics and the legacy of Indira Gandhi.

Quick quotes

    They provide a nuanced look at her political acumen and the complexities of her leadership.

    The book is praised for its thoroughness and the insights it provides into the historical context of her reign.

    It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of Indian politics and the legacy of Indira Gandhi.

indiatoday.in · Unknown · 2001-04-02
insightful 4.50

The reviewer finds Katherine Frank's biography of Indira Gandhi to be a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the former Indian Prime Minister's life. The book is praised for its depth and the author's ability to capture Indira Gandhi's complex personality and political legacy.

Katherine Frank's biography of Indira Gandhi is a meticulously researched and well-written account that provides a deep dive into the life of one of India's most influential leaders. The reviewer appreciates Frank's ability to balance personal anecdotes with political analysis, offering a nuanced portrait of Indira Gandhi. The book is particularly strong in its exploration of Gandhi's political strategies and her impact on Indian politics. However, the reviewer notes that some readers might find the detailed political discussions a bit dense. Overall, the biography is seen as a valuable contribution to understanding Indira Gandhi's legacy. The reviewer also highlights Frank's skill in capturing the personal side of Gandhi, including her relationships and personal struggles, which adds a human dimension to the political narrative. This makes the book not just a political biography but also a compelling human story.

Quick quotes

    Katherine Frank's biography is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Indira Gandhi's life.

    The book is praised for its depth and the author's ability to capture Indira Gandhi's complex personality.

    The reviewer appreciates Frank's ability to balance personal anecdotes with political analysis.

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