Freedom at Midnight
Product ID: 208016445
Desertcart purchases this item on your behalf and handles shipping, customs, and support to Indonesia.
“There is no single passage in this profoundly researched book that one could actually fault. Having been there most of the time in question and having assisted at most of the encounters, I can vouch for the accuracy of its general mood. It is a work of scholarship, of investigation, research and of significance.”—James Cameron, The New York Sunday Times “Freedom at Midnight is a panoramic spectacular of a book that reads more like sensational fiction than like history, even though it is all true….. The narrative is as lively, as informative and as richly detailed as a maharaja’s palace.”—Judson Hand, The New York Daily News “Outrageously and endlessly fascinating is my awestruck reaction to Freedom at Midnight. The new sure-to-be bestseller by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. It is all here: maharajas and tigers, filth and squalor, extravagance and macabre sex, massacres, smells, starvation, cruelty and heroism. Collins and Lapierre have made human history breathtaking and heartbreaking.”—Margaret Manning, The Boston Globe “No subject, I thought, as I picked up Freedom at Midnight, could be of less interest to me than a story of how Independence came to India after three centuries of British rule. I opened the book and began to flip through the photographs: here was a picture of Gandhi dressed in his loincloth going to have tea with the King of England; there was a picture of a maharaja being measured against his weight in gold; and another of thousands of vultures devouring corpses in the street. I began to read, fascinated. Here was the whole chronicle illustrated with anecdotes and masterful character sketches of how the British had come to India, how they had ruled it and how, finally, compelled by the force of economics and history, they had been forced to leave it divided…… Collins and Lapierre are such good writers that their books are so interesting that they are impossible to put down.”—J.M. Sanchez, The Houston Chronicle *** The end of an empire. The birth of two nations. Seventy years ago, at midnight on August 14, 1947, the Union Jack began its final journey down the flagstaff of Viceroy’s House, New Delhi. A fifth of humanity claimed their independence from the greatest empire history has ever seen—but the price of freedom was high, as a nation erupted into riots and bloodshed, partition and war. Freedom at Midnight is the true story of the events surrounding Indian independence, beginning with the appointment of Lord Mountbatten of Burma as the last Viceroy of British India, and ending with the assassination and funeral of Mahatma Gandhi. The book was an international bestseller and achieved enormous acclaim in the United States, Italy, Spain, and France. This edition contains 20 black-and-white photos, five maps, a full bibliography, extensive notes, and a dedication from Dominique Lapierre to the memory of his longtime writing partner Larry Collins. *** About the Authors – Larry Collins & Dominique Lapierre The enormous success of the international writing partnership of Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre was based on the phenomenal bestsellers Is Paris Burning?, Or I’ll Dress You in Mourning, O Jerusalem!, Freedom at Midnight, and The Fifth Horseman. The last-named work was their fifth novel. Collins and Lapierre were a unique team in that each wrote in his own language and their works were then published simultaneously in French and English before being translated into sixteen other languages. Their work was distinguished by immense attention to detail and thorough research. Since the publication of their last joint work, The Fifth Horseman, Collins has published three bestselling novels, Fall From Grace, Maze, and Black Eagles, while Lapierre published two nonfiction bestsellers, The City of Joy and Beyond Love. Review: Freedom at Midnight - This book MUST be part of the historic collector's possession! I have only recently received it, but want to just say how beautifully written it is and so true to facts! My friend had lent her copy to a person who didn't return it, which kept on mentioning how upset she was.so asked her for the title. I managed to get it from desertcart UK so am learning another part fo history! It's difficult to put it down, as the authors have written several historic books but this beats them all!!! I very strongly recommend anyone who likes to learn true facts of history that they won't overlook this one - it's incredibly a master piece! Review: Fascinating! - First read this book over 30 years ago, and decided to read it again given that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the partition of India. Reading it again once again proved that Freedom at Midnight continues to remain the definitive book for those readers seeking to understand the events that led to the the most monumental 'divorce' in history, but through a book that is extremely 'easy' to read, given the style it was written in, a hallmark of the style of its authors, Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,193 Reviews |
A**N
Freedom at Midnight
This book MUST be part of the historic collector's possession! I have only recently received it, but want to just say how beautifully written it is and so true to facts! My friend had lent her copy to a person who didn't return it, which kept on mentioning how upset she was.so asked her for the title. I managed to get it from Amazon UK so am learning another part fo history! It's difficult to put it down, as the authors have written several historic books but this beats them all!!! I very strongly recommend anyone who likes to learn true facts of history that they won't overlook this one - it's incredibly a master piece!
J**H
Fascinating!
First read this book over 30 years ago, and decided to read it again given that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the partition of India. Reading it again once again proved that Freedom at Midnight continues to remain the definitive book for those readers seeking to understand the events that led to the the most monumental 'divorce' in history, but through a book that is extremely 'easy' to read, given the style it was written in, a hallmark of the style of its authors, Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.
B**H
A well balanced view of monumental events.
An excellent, informative and well balanced book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading - but in its Kindle form, let down by a poor quality digitisation that contains many irritating errors.
A**T
History presented as a thriller. An interesting couple of ...
History presented as a thriller. An interesting couple of pages from Freedom at Midnight made me want to read the source material referred to in the extensive bibliography, the 200 pages of source material added nothing to my knowledge!!
M**N
Great Book !
I have read this book a couple of times and always enjoy it. The authors make a great team and know how to tell a good story. All devastatingly true and tragic the partition of India. You must read it !
D**I
Excellent book
This is a book recommended to me by my father, who read it back in the day ('80 or something). My recent interest in history is well served by this book, even if it does somehow blow up a few biographies and events of 1 year into 582 pages. I would have to say it's a brilliantly written book, even if it does seem a little too enamoured and awe-struck with the British. Some people I know find it partial and apologist, but I would suggest potential readers to dismiss this as sanctimoniousness. Read it!
L**S
Filling a gap
Got into a conversation with an Irish doctor about "Partition" and the British Raj. Embarrassingly, he knew more about it than I did (I'm Indian!) and suggested that this was the best book written on the subject. The best price I could get was from a seller in the USA and it arrived a lot quicker than expected. Am now improving my education!
J**H
If there is one book to read on Indian independence, then this is the one
I have read many books on the Indian Independence as well as partition but this sets the standard. There is so much intricate detail about all the relevant parties involved in the Independence/Partition on India as well as the horrific violence that followed. The book is very unbiased in its approach as it criticises all parties where necessary.
M**R
Five Stars
very powerful piece of history well told
B**.
Must read
Although print of the book was very poor but The book Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins is a masterful account of one of the most pivotal periods in modern history—the final year of British rule in India and the subsequent partition in 1947. The authors, through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, bring to life the complex web of political maneuvering, cultural upheaval, and human emotion that defined this era. What sets this book apart is the unparalleled access the authors had to key historical figures, including Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India. This unique perspective allows readers to gain an intimate understanding of the intense pressures and critical decisions that shaped the subcontinent’s destiny. The vivid descriptions make historical events feel immediate and personal, from the delicate negotiations between leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah to the heartrending experiences of ordinary people caught in the crossfire of communal violence. The activities of Princes in their princely state are written in so much detail. The narrative is both educational and deeply moving. It highlights the heroism, the failures, and the sacrifices that accompanied India's birth as an independent nation. Lapierre and Collins' portrayal of Gandhi’s steadfast commitment to peace and Mountbatten’s complicated role adds layers of nuance to well-known historical accounts. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a casual reader, Freedom at Midnight provides a captivating journey into a momentous chapter that reshaped the world. It is a testament to the power of storytelling that intertwines grand historical events with the human stories at their heart. This book is an essential read for those who wish to understand the complexities of India's independence and the lasting impact of partition.
A**E
Living the history
Wonderful reconstruction of an epic history moment. Complete and full of marvellous little stories about all of his characters.
A**V
Interesting writing
It is written from a westerners point of view and it glorify British. Some pages were bound wrongly and have to read by flipping pages in the opposite direction.
R**A
Damaged book.
Pages were torn at the rear of the book. Not at all happy. Return or compensate me for the damage.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago