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Rani Singh

Sonia Gandhi: An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny Hardcover – September 13, 2011

by Rani Singh (Author), Mikhail Gorbachev (Foreword)

4.1 34 ratings

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Sonia Gandhi's story represents the greatest transformational journey made by any world leader in the last four decades. Circumstance and tragedy, rather than ambition, paved her path to power. Born into a traditional, middle-class Italian family, Sonia met and fell in love with Rajiv Gandhi, son of future Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, while studying English in Cambridge. Cruelly tested by the assassinations of her mother-in-law and of her husband, Sonia grew into a strong, authoritative but always private figure, now president of a coalition ruling over a billion people in the world's largest democracy. Through exclusive interviews with members of Sonia's party, political opponents and family friends, Rani Singh casts new light on Sonia. In the first mainstream biography of this inspirational figure, the authors compelling narrative retraces the path of the brave and beautifu

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

St. Martin's Press
Publication date

September 13, 2011
Dimensions

6.47 x 1.09 x 9.55 inches
ISBN-10

023010441X
ISBN-13

978-0230104419
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rani Singh is a London-based journalist who has worked with BBC television and radio for over 15 years. She is known for her investigative reports and documentaries from India and Pakistan. She commented on the region for CNN and NBC News, and has written for The Observer News Service, The Spectator, Lloyd's List, and The Huffington Post. Rani is an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust, which helps disadvantaged young people.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press (September 13, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 023010441X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0230104419
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.03 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.47 x 1.09 x 9.55 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,709,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #214 in Gandhi
- #461 in Historical India & South Asia Biographies
- #2,718 in India History

Customer Reviews:
4.1 34 ratings

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4.1 out of 5

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susan hilmi

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2016

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great book great price . came on time in great condition .

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AlineDobbie

Sonia my exact contemporary

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2012

I have just finished this book which was given to me whilst in India in March of this year. I was born in India and am exactly the same age as Sonia. I grew up being close childhood friends with Sunil Nehru mentioned in the book and his two brothers; I new Rajiv and Sanjay briefly when we were teenagers. Several of the people quoted in the book are known to me or I have met them or interacted with them. It was enjoyable because of that background but sadly it is very deferential which is the fault most associated with Indians and their politics and aspirations. The English is truly appalling which is disappointing as the author apparently has a BBC provenance as well and working out of London. Rahul Gandhi the heir apparent in a political dynasty allegedly said 'It is undemocratic that the Congress is still led by a Gandhi. But it's the reality...My position give me certain privileges. It is a fact of life in India that success in politics depends on who you know or are related to. I want to change the system.' Well get on and do so. Again I quote 'The level of rottenness, bribery and dishonesty does not abate and it is pretty evenly spread across the political spectrum. A spate of corruption scandals almost paralyzed a whole winter session of parliament.' Rahul and Sonia continue apparently to rail against corruption... add to that pure bad governance, lethargy and self aggrandizement amongst geriatric ministers who no longer have vision for India or know how to steer her into the 21st century and that is the sad state of affairs and I just have to ask What has Sonia Gandhi achieved, other than supreme continuance of her family in power and influence? I felt genuine sorrow when Rajiv was so cruelly killed but here are three, maybe four people including the son in law who increasingly sports the attention seeking stage and what have they achieved? I was in India for six weeks this year and heard nothing positive about the Government, the Gandhi Family and confidence in India's future. That is the real tragedy that people with so much power and influence who should be custodians of India because of their legacy should take the country to a new level of development.....fine aspiration of Rahul to have everyone with food in their mouths, clean hospitals and literate but yet 8 States in India exceed the poverty and deprivation in 26 states in Africa? The great Mahatma Gandhi who was no relation is often invoked in the book as someone the Family reveres for his huge contribution to the freedom of India. They would do well to recall some of his famous words...one that I love is: We must teach the Rich to live more Simply so that the Poor may Simply live...' His other advice is timeless: 'Be the change you wish to see in the world....' Well this Gandhi Family could use that advice themselves and seriously work towards being the change they wish to see in India and not just posture. This book is however an easy read though with some lazy errors as well and would inform someone who was not fully up to date with the subject of developing India and her great challenges. India: The Peacock's Call India: The Tiger's Roar India: The Elephant's Blessing: 1

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Mark P

A fascinating life

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2011

I loved this book. I didn't know very much about Sonia Gandhi before I read it but I was pulled right in at the beginning by the fated love story and kept interested by the fascinating stories of the different characters made all the more compelling by how decent and good Sonia Gandhi seems to be (and her drive for good needs to be recognised). I understand that Sonia Gandhi is a very private person but this book remains interesting despite the author's respect for her subject. But this is no sycophantic Gandhi piece - it does not shirk from the mistakes made by the family and leaves room for the reader to make his/her own judgement about the family's legacy.

3 people found this helpful

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Nag

completely wrong.

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014

Most of the stuff is just fluff and completely false.looks like its written by a sycophant.
The fact that this family just can't let go of india and treats it as if its their personal property is breathtaking.

One person found this helpful

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AAMAAdmi

We Do not Know Anything about her!

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2011

She is a private person. I have never seen her debating with her political opponents or discussing with her political friends. Indian Democracy is a Mockery! She is the president of the party, not elected but placed on the throne.

We do not know her beliefs on Indian major religion - Hinduism. We know only one thing that she wants to make her son the next Leader of India and continue Nehru- Gandhi Dynasty. And it is a nasty Idea.

The author is a great "Chamcha" of Sonia family.

8 people found this helpful

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Radha Taori

Review

Reviewed in India on November 17, 2020

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It wasn't upto the expectations but ya got to know a lot more good stuff about the Gandhi family.
Sonia's story represent the greatest transformational journey. Though from Italy she has always been faithful to her adopted country and to the memory of her husband. The story highlights a trait of hers that she never wavered in her sense of duty and always showed a determination to keep going under the most trying of circumstances. I loved the fact how Sonia Gandhi tries to adopt the Indian culture in such a short time.

Though the title being Sonia Gandhi, the book also dwells deeply in the life of Indira Gandhi as well as Rahul Gandhi.

Ps: Kaafi elaborate and descriptive. Took a very long time to finish it⚡

Mr. Anuj Ghai

Nothing extraordinary.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2014

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A pleasant and insightful read. Unfortunately, contrary to the author's submissions, this book does not break any new ground. There is very little here that's not already widely available in the public domain- the fact that the author was not even able to interview the subject of her biography seems to add somewhat to the 'unoriginal' feel of the book. More damagingly though for the author is the fact that this book is so so uncritical; it is deeply sympathetic to Mrs. Gandhi and quite frankly, reads more like a hagiography than a biography.<br/><br/>Other than the interesting sections on Sonia's early life in Italy and Cambridge, this book adds very very little to what we already know of the President of the Congress Party.

GOVIND SHUKLA

A bold lady.

Reviewed in India on July 24, 2021

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A well presented biography.

Pierantonio Biasin

La straordinaria vita di Sonia Maino Gandhi

Reviewed in Italy on December 23, 2019

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Testo ben descritto, documentazione precisa. Si legge volentieri questa biografia su Sonia Maino Gandhi, nata nel vicentino a Lusiana. Un personaggio veramente straordinario per l'Italia e l'India.

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Aditya kumar jha

Interesting

Reviewed in India on September 16, 2020

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Interesting book

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