M.J. Akbar

M.J. Akbar is an Indian journalist, author and political commentator who has served as editorial director of India Today and The Sunday Guardian, and founded The Asian Age newspaper. He has written several influential books on Indian politics, Islam, and the Indian subcontinent's history. During his journalism career spanning over four decades, Akbar worked as editor of various leading publications including The Telegraph and The Sunday Guardian. His political career included serving as Minister of State for External Affairs in the Indian government from 2016 to 2018, and he has been elected as a member of parliament. His books include "India: The Siege Within," "Riot After Riot," and "Nehru: The Making of India," which examine critical periods in Indian history and politics. His works on Islam and religious identity, such as "Blood Brothers" and "The Shade of Swords," have contributed significantly to discourse on religious relations in South Asia. Akbar's writing style combines historical analysis with journalistic observation, focusing particularly on the intersection of religion, politics, and national identity in modern India. His work has drawn both acclaim and controversy, reflecting his prominent position in Indian intellectual and political circles.

Readers value Akbar's insider perspective on Indian politics and history, with his books drawing from his experience as both journalist and politician. Online reviews point to his detailed research and ability to break down complex historical events. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of India's political evolution - Rich historical context and connections - Balanced treatment of sensitive religious topics - Direct, journalistic writing style What readers disliked: - Dense, academic tone in some works - Tendency to include too many tangential details - Some perceived political bias in recent writings - Inconsistent quality across different books Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Nehru: The Making of India" - 4.1/5 (350+ ratings) "Blood Brothers" - 3.9/5 (200+ ratings) "The Shade of Swords" - 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) Amazon India: "India: The Siege Within" - 4.0/5 (80+ reviews) "Riot After Riot" - 3.7/5 (40+ reviews) Common reader comment: "Informative but requires patience to get through the detailed historical analysis."

Blood Brothers: A Family Saga - Chronicles three generations of a Muslim family in India during the country's transition from British colonial rule to independence.

Nehru: The Making of India - A biographical account examining Jawaharlal Nehru's role in India's independence movement and his years as the country's first Prime Minister.

Riot After Riot - Documents and analyzes various communal riots in post-independence India through detailed reportage and historical context.

The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the Conflict Between Islam and Christianity - Examines the historical relationship between Islam and Christianity, focusing on conflicts from the Crusades to modern times.

India: The Siege Within - Analyzes internal challenges to India's unity, including separatist movements and religious conflicts.

Kashmir: Behind the Vale - Details the complex political history of Kashmir and its relationship with India, Pakistan, and its own people.

Byline - Collection of journalistic writings covering various political and social issues in India and South Asia.

Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan - Explores Pakistan's political evolution from its creation to contemporary challenges.

Have Pen, Will Travel - Compilation of travel writings and observations from various parts of the world.

The Battle of Belonging - Examines nationalism, citizenship, and identity in modern India through historical and contemporary perspectives.

William Dalrymple writes about Indian history and the British colonial period, focusing on cultural interactions and power dynamics. His narrative style and deep research into primary sources align with Akbar's approach to historical analysis.

Ramachandra Guha specializes in modern Indian political history and the independence movement. His work examines post-colonial India's development and social changes, similar to themes in Akbar's writings.

Patrick French focuses on Indo-British relations and biographical works about key historical figures. His research methodology and examination of colonial-era documentation parallels Akbar's historical investigations.

Arundhati Roy combines political commentary with historical context in her non-fiction works about India. She examines contemporary Indian politics through a historical lens, comparable to Akbar's analytical approach.

Shashi Tharoor writes about India's colonial past and its modern political landscape. His work on British imperialism and Indian democracy covers similar ground to Akbar's historical-political analyses.