To begin with one does wish the book was written a bit better, but it quickly becomes irrelevant as one gets into the life and persona of this figure so strangely ignored post independence by political rulers of India through decades due to an unbalanced worship of one family, two names and most small or big members of the said family dynasty. This sidelining of most major figures of independence struggle of India is neither new nor unknown, but is a shame nevertheless, and leaves much unknown about these majestic persona and their minds, thoughts and actions. Shame.
Bose is mostly known for having forged together an army, Indian National Army, to fight against the British during wwii. Prior to that all that is known other than his being a patriot and a member of Congress is that he was president of Congress and gave in his resignation due to displeasure of Gandhi who preferred Nehru instead, whom he saw as more malleable and less likely to think independently, whatever the truth of that.
What is not known about Bose is about his extensive writing and deep thought re world politics and economics in context of India and her future - he was fooled by neither communists nor fascists during his extensive sojourns through Europe during early and mid thirties, never mind the impression created (by British, perhaps, but most definitely left so by the post independence rule of Congress), that he befriended the Axis and was perhaps used by them as pawn - nothing could be further from truth.
Congress and generally government of India along with academia would do well to correct these mistakes and lapses about freedom fighters of India who are neither Gandhi nor Nehru by name - this ignoring the great is a shame for those that do it, and stars do not stop shining when someone herds people into a cave like so many sheep.
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As one finishes the story of this towering persona and his role in history of the world and his nation, one has several sensations - one wishes to know a bit more, one is overwhelmed with the gigantic figure who was in person perhaps imposing only due to his inner being (was he tall?) but cared for his people so very much (his embracing was reward enough for all the hardships his soldiers went through on his call); and one is once again wistful about his sudden accidental death, wishing it were not true, wishing someone like him were long lived and changed the course of world history for the better, and of course that of his nation. Would India be divided if he were alive and active in his nation? Perhaps not. And much misery, much strife would then have been avoided.
Last but not the least, did India even extend an invitation, a welcome and a citizenship, to his wife and daughter, post independence? That the woman whom he loved and who loved him enough to live the life she had to under the circumstances - a marriage kept secret, financial hardships galore post his death and during the war - shows her grit and her independence. But if Indian government did not even take steps to invite her, to award her and her daughter - the only child of Subhash Chandra Bose - with a with a citizenship and more, it is a shame to the government of India.
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These are some of the books I read during last half a century or so, and some of the thoughts, questions, reactions and insights, emotions - and so forth -, evoked on reading them, either then or later sometime during the interim years and decades, or even thinking over now, that are summed up here while trying to record my impressions about what I read.
Serene, Reflecting
Life Recedes