China's India War

China's India War examines the 1962 Sino-Indian border conflict through extensive research and previously unreleased documents. This military history challenges the conventional narrative that India provoked China into war through its "Forward Policy." Lintner reconstructs the geopolitical landscape of the early 1960s, analyzing the complex web of relationships between India, China, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The book traces the roots of the territorial dispute back to Britain's colonial presence in the region and follows its evolution through the Cold War period. Drawing on intelligence reports, diplomatic cables, and interviews, the text presents evidence regarding China's strategic objectives and military preparations in the lead-up to the conflict. The narrative covers both the diplomatic exchanges and battlefield operations while maintaining focus on the broader historical context. The book raises fundamental questions about how historical events are interpreted and recorded, particularly in cases where competing national interests shape the telling of history. Its analysis carries implications for understanding modern Indo-Chinese relations and territorial disputes.

Readers commend Lintner's research and his challenge to the prevailing narrative that China was provoked into the 1962 war. Several reviews note the book presents compelling evidence that China planned the conflict years in advance. Liked: - Thorough documentation and sourcing - Clear chronological structure - New interviews with witnesses - Debunking of common misconceptions Disliked: - Dense political/military details can be hard to follow - Some readers found the writing style dry - A few reviewers questioned if certain Chinese sources were reliable - Limited maps and visuals Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (87 ratings) Amazon India: 4.3/5 (142 ratings) Amazon US: 4.5/5 (28 ratings) Notable review quote: "Finally sets the record straight on who started the war and why. The research is impeccable." - Amazon reviewer "Could have used more strategic context and better maps" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔷 Author Bertil Lintner spent three decades as a correspondent in Asia for publications like Far Eastern Economic Review and The Wall Street Journal, giving him deep insight into Sino-Indian relations 🔷 The book challenges the widely accepted narrative that India was the aggressor in the 1962 border war, presenting evidence that China had planned the conflict years in advance 🔷 Unlike most accounts that focus solely on the military aspects, this book explores the diplomatic, political, and intelligence failures that led to the war 🔷 The research draws heavily from previously classified Indian, Chinese, Russian, and CIA documents that were unavailable to earlier historians 🔷 The book reveals how China's strategy in 1962 continues to influence its current border policies and territorial disputes with India, particularly in regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh