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Shadows At Noon

The South Asian Twentieth Century
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( 85 ratings, 25 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Shadows At Noon by Joya Chatterji delves into the complex and turbulent history of South Asia, focusing on the period around mid-20th century. It explores the socio-political upheavals and personal narratives that shaped the region during significant transitions. The narrative provides a vivid account of historical events, offering a rich and detailed exploration of this formative era.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this insightful work if you have an interest in exploring the rich tapestry of India's past, as it delves into the intricate social, political, and cultural dynamics of the country. The narrative is engaging and informative, providing a fresh perspective on historical events and their impacts, making it a captivating read for history enthusiasts.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024
WINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR HISTORY

'A classic ... wonderfully enjoyable' — WILLIAM DALRYMPLE

This is the authoritative history of South Asia in the 20th century.

Shadows at Noon tells the subcontinent's story from the British Raj through independence and partition to the forging of the modern nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Unlike other histories of the region which concentrate exclusively on politics, here food, leisure, and the household are given as much importance as nationhood, migration, and the state.

Chatterji makes contemporary South Asia—its cultural vibrancy, diversity, social structures, and political make-up—accessible to everyone. In so doing, this bold, innovative, and personal work rallies against narratives of 'inherent' differences between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and reveals the many things its people have in common.

'The story of South Asia told with verve, wit and brilliance' — ANURADHA ROY

'Chatterji writes with infectious relish' — DOMINIC SANDBROOK

'Truly magnificent' — MIHIR BOSE

'Wonderful' — SIR MARK TULLY

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

With clarity and wit, Joya Chatterji offers a sweeping, personal history of the Indian subcontinent, praised for its readability and engaging narrative. The book is noted for its originality and genre-defying approach, effectively combining scholarly analysis with vivid storytelling. Critics highlight its refreshing departure from standard historical narratives and its focus on commonalities between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781847925497

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 13 July 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: The Bodley Head Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 54.0mm

Width: 164.0mm

Height: 243.0mm

Weight: 1050g

Pages: 864

About the Author

Joya Chatterji is a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Emeritus Professor of South Asian History at the University of Cambridge and sometime Reader in International History at the London School of Economics. From 2010 to 2021, she was first Editor then Editor-in-Chief of Modern Asian Studies, a leading scholarly journal in the field. Between 2014 and her retirement in 2019, she was Director of the Centre of South Asian Studies at Cambridge. She was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2018.

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