WE NEHRUS

by Krishna Hutheesing ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 28, 1967

Three generations of rulers pass through these memoirs--the author is the youngest sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, aunt of Indira Gandhi, daughter of the President of the colonial Congress, descendant of Brahmans and British East India Company representatives. She writes about her brother at a rather worshipful distance, quoting from his own books, as he goes through Cambridge socialism, alliance with Gandhi, and ""pragmatic"" leadership of a new nation. On major issues Mrs. Hutheesing is prone to uncritical assumptions (that India's parliamentary system was the best alternative) and glaring lacunae (the current disenchantment with the Congress Party). Readers will expect her bias and forgive such flaws as her vague mention of Nehru's land reform hopes, silence about Indira's reform-wrecking practice in the late 50's and 60's. The book is worth reading for its fine detailed sketches of childhood surroundings, the luxurious blend of Anglophilia and Kashmiri tradition which gave way to jail, small wars and big problems. Of general interest, not scholarly importance.

Pub Date: Sept. 28, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION