John ZubrzyckiThe Shortest History of India: From the World’s Oldest Civilization to Its Largest Democracy―A Retelling for Our Times (The Shortest History Series)

The book covers the important events in Indian history and does so while keeping the readers' interest

It is hard to judge a book that tries to capture an ocean in a bucket. Invariably, there will be more left out than let in. Depending on your perspective and knowledge on the subject, this is either a great primer or a rehash of material you already know mostly about. I fall more in the latter bucket.

I was hoping for some abridged wonder piece that would provide lite context to cultural differences allowing me to better understand my friends and business associates life journey. This wasn’t really it.

Does a great job of bringing flavor to the various dynasties discussed throughout the work--something other authors fail to do in favor of simply listing lands conquered. However, when it came to discussing the East India Company and British colonialism, the work failed to mention atrocities or abuses. In doing so, it refused to engage with the truth of the era, producing an inaccurate picture of this very significant period in India's history.

When invaders’ insidious attempt at cultural hegemony ultimately failed, this book extends it to resorting to gentrifying the historical records.By whitewashing the atrocities committed during colonization and selectively highlighting the “generous” natures of Mughals and viceroys, eventually justifying their actions.If only the book had stopped at that would’ve been a genuine read but why would it? It then attempts at oversimplification of key figures and movements in India’s past.Book ends up perpetuating a narrow and misleading interpretation of Indians’ roles in the Indian freedom struggle.Absolute waste of time!