Indian Summer
The Secret History of the End of an Empire
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Narrated by:
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Nicola Barber
About this listen
At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the British Empire withdrew from India, igniting the exhilaration and turmoil of a newly free society. In this vivid, atmospheric popular history, Alex von Tunzelmann chronicles these times through the most prominent figures: Dickie Mountbatten, Britain's dashing, inept last viceroy; Dickie's savvy, glamorous wife, Edwina, who found the love of her life in Jawaharlal Nehru, India's new prime minister; Muslim leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah; and Mohandas Gandhi. Tunzelman's thrilling chronicle "removes the veil from the colorful personalities and events behind India's independence and partition with Pakistan" (The Washington Post).
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2007 Alex von Tunzelmann (P)2011 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume I: Visions of Glory 1874-1932
- By: William Manchester
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 41 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Winston Churchill is perhaps the most important political figure of the 20th century. His great oratory and leadership during the Second World War were only part of his huge breadth of experience and achievement. Studying his life is a fascinating way to imbibe the history of his era and gain insight into key events that have shaped our time.
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Superb - Review of Both Volume I & Volume II
- By Wolfpacker on 01-23-09
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Prague Winter
- A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948
- By: Madeleine Albright
- Narrated by: Madeleine Albright
- Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Before Madeleine Albright turned twelve, her life was shaken by the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia—the country where she was born—the Battle of Britain, the near total destruction of European Jewry, the Allied victory in World War II, the rise of communism, and the onset of the Cold War. Albright's experiences, and those of her family, provide a lens through which to view the most tumultuous dozen years in modern history.
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History from a Personal Perspective
- By Jeanette Finan on 02-22-13
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The General
- Charles De Gaulle and the France He Saved
- By: Jonathan Fenby
- Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth
- Length: 28 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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No leader of modern times was more uniquely patriotic than Charles de Gaulle. As founder and first president of the Fifth Republic, General de Gaulle saw himself as "carrying France on [his] shoulders." In his 20s, he fought for France in the trenches and at the epic battle of Verdun. In the 1930s, he waged a lonely battle to enable France to better resist Hitler's Germany. Thereafter, he twice rescued the nation from defeat and decline by extraordinary displays of leadership, political acumen, daring, and bluff, heading off civil war and leaving a heritage adopted by his successors of right and left.
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Book Great Read. Narrator Horrible-slow dead voice
- By marigoyle on 10-23-13
By: Jonathan Fenby
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Empress Dowager Cixi
- The Concubine Who Launched Modern China
- By: Jung Chang
- Narrated by: Jolene Kim
- Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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At the age of 16, in a nationwide selection for royal consorts, Cixi was chosen as one of the emperor's numerous concubines. When he died in 1861, their five-year-old son succeeded to the throne. Cixi at once launched a palace coup against the regents appointed by her husband and made herself the real ruler of China - behind the throne, literally, with a silk screen separating her from her officials who were all male.
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An insult to audiobooks. Get a print version.
- By Reademandweep on 02-23-15
By: Jung Chang
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Princes at War
- The Bitter Battle Inside Britain's Royal Family in the Darkest Days of WWII
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Veida Dehmlow
- Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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In Princes at War, Deborah Cadbury reveals evidence that the duke and duchess of Windsor colluded with Hitler to take back the British throne from Edward's younger brother, King George VI, should Germany prevail in the War.
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Windsors at War
- By Lulu on 04-05-15
By: Deborah Cadbury
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Churchill
- Walking with Destiny
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 50 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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When we seek an example of great leaders with unalloyed courage, the person who comes to mind is Winston Churchill: the iconic, visionary war leader immune from the consensus of the day, who stood firmly for his beliefs when everyone doubted him. But how did young Winston become Churchill? What gave him the strength to take on the superior force of Nazi Germany when bombs rained on London and so many others had caved? In this landmark biography of Winston Churchill based on extensive new material, the true genius of the man, statesman, and leader can finally be fully understood.
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Superb Biography
- By Jean on 03-03-19
By: Andrew Roberts
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Hitler
- Ascent 1889-1939
- By: Volker Ullrich
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 34 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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For all the literature about Adolf Hitler, there have been just four seminal biographies; this is the fifth, a landmark work that sheds important new light on Hitler himself. Drawing on previously unseen papers and a wealth of recent scholarly research, Volker Ullrich reveals the man behind the public persona, from Hitler's childhood, to his failures as a young man in Vienna, to his experiences during the First World War, to his rise as a far-right party leader.
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Worthwhile if you haven't read a Hitler biography
- By Joshua on 11-03-16
By: Volker Ullrich
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Clementine
- The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill
- By: Sonia Purnell
- Narrated by: Susan Lyons
- Length: 17 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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By Winston Churchill's own admission, victory in the Second World War would have been "impossible without her". Until now, however, the only existing biography of Churchill's wife, Clementine, was written by her daughter. Sonia Purnell finally gives Clementine her due with a deeply researched account that tells her life story, revealing how she was instrumental in softening FDR's initial dislike of her husband and paving the way for Britain's close relationship with America.
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Exasperating At Times But Very Good--
- By Gillian on 04-09-18
By: Sonia Purnell
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Awful - Need for diversity
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What listeners say about Indian Summer
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- ALIB 56
- 02-29-20
Latter day history student
For those of us who want to find out a little more about what made the world what it is today, this is an enjoyable addition to a number of subjects, the British royal family, the end of empire, the emergence of a new industrial society, and of course the role of the key players in the independence of India and Pakistan.
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- Susan
- 04-07-19
Good story not so easy to hear
I like the story a lot. Nicola Barbara speaks in a pleasant patter. Unfortunately her voice tended
to lull me to sleep. Ordinarily I wouldn't mind. This is a good story though and I regret zoning out. I've listen to the story several times now and I am just beginning to feel that I have the gist.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Mahalakshmi
- 07-22-16
Good Content, Bad narration
Would you be willing to try another one of Nicola Barber’s performances?
No. The narrator is trying to bring in modulations but did not do a good job. It gets irritating after a point.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Katherine Barton
- 12-31-16
Interesting history about a little known subject.
If you could sum up Indian Summer in three words, what would they be?
Thorough and thoughtful.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
The narrator's voice was not a good match for the story, in my opinion. However, she was able to pronounce some very tongue twisting names with ease.
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3 people found this helpful
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- dewds2cents
- 09-11-18
Good read.
I really enjoyed this book. I really didn't know much about the events and people, but have a fascination with India in general. When I saw the narrator was Nicola Barbee, I had to get it (she also did all the Call the Midwife books. Love her voice) I was not disappointed and now want to read more on the subject.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Shawnna Morris
- 02-21-19
Just Wonderful
This history of the end of the British Raj combines politics and personalities in a compelling narrative that reads like a novel. Narration is is delightful.
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- Abby Mamacos
- 04-07-15
Fabulous, easy history
Of India. Part of this book is written when I was a child growing up. So, it was on the daily news. It's wonderful to put it all together!
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6 people found this helpful
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- Dita
- 09-05-16
Amazing story of the independence of India and the romance behind it!
This epic story gives insight into the key characters of the independence of India - the largest democracy in the world - and the legendary men and women behind the peaceful revolution- Lord and Lady Mountbatten, Gandhi and Nehru. It does not sugar coat their vices, failings and fears but it also clearly defines their contributions and passions. I loved the personal insights into the diaries and love letters. The speaker was a great choice because her feminine voice helps listeners to enjoy the interpersonal dynamics instead of just looking at this as a political documentary. Well done! poignant!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Yogesh Govindji
- 01-23-23
A tryst with destiny not only of India but
For the last part of this audio book, I found myself glued in listening to the flawless narration by Ms. Nicola Barber. It is revealing in the details of a love affair that existed for many years (even after Independence) between Jawahar Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten.
Overall, I found the author's research in writing this book very detailed; and, it serves to provide depth and insight into the historical lives of individuals that have shaped India during the fight for independence to the more contemporary history of India.
As a consequence, I do feel enriched in knowing a lot more about the subject matter. For anyone interested in India's history during the last hundred years or so, I find this book/audio book invaluable and consider it a must read/listen.
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-06-12
A Great Primer On A Subject I Knew Little About
I was aware the subcontinent was partitioned at independence and little else. I had heard of Lord and Edwina Montbatten and was faintly aware of rumors of Nehru and Edwina's special relationship. Of course, who has not heard of Mahatma Gandhi. "Indian Summer" gives background to the events of 1947 in terms of personalities, geography and historical events. It also provides insights into how Pakistan has developed from what was intended to be a secular nation into what we see today.
I am certain there is more to learn, but "Indian Summer" is a great beginning and a solid base to build on.
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7 people found this helpful