Keeping Jewel in the Crown

When India became independent in 1947 the general view which has prevailed until now is that Britain had been steadily working for an amicable transfer of power for decades. In this book Walter Reid argues that nothing could be further from the truth. With reference to a vast amount of documentary material from private letters to public records and state papers he shows how Britain held back political progress in India for as long as possible-a policy which led to unimaginable chaos and suffering when Independence was granted and which created a legacy of hatred and distrust that continues to this day. Review 'This unusual book a revealing account of the last 30 years of British rule undermines any idea that withdrawal involved honourably assisting India towards Independence'The Hindu'Reid's book makes for absorbing reading. He has the capacity to make his characters come out alive with all their human frailties. We are constantly reminded that imperialism despite being such an awesome phenomenon has had after all to operate through human agencies'Outlook About the Author Walter Reid studied at the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh. He has written a number of acclaimed books on military and political history and has a particular interest in British imperial policy in the twentieth century. His books includeChurchill Under Friendly FireEmpire of Sand How Britain Made the Middle East and most recentlyFive Days from Defeat How Britain Nearly Lost the First World War. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.