Fighting Retreat

'[Reid] is a sensitive, diligent historian with an admirably open mind … [and] deserves congratulations for bravely questioning Churchill's attitude towards India and for rightly labelling it racist. This book is a polemic, but a careful and convincing one. … What shines through is a careful, lawyerly logic that leads to painful conclusions.'

-- Gerard DeGroot, The Times

'[Reid] contextualises numerous controversies around the man who led the fight against Hitler.'

-- The Independent, ‘January Books of the Month’

'An interesting exploration of a moral black hole… this is a fine read from a historian with an excellent grasp of his subject.'

-- The Irish Times

'[A] fair and sympathetic examination of Churchill and India … alert to both its subject’s faults and his virtues.'

-- The Scotsman

‘Walter Reid presents a finely balanced account, recognising Churchill’s achievements and setting some of his most objectionable utterances within the context of the norms and values of his time.’

-- Morning Star

'Reid's book is a clearly written, well-researched and carefully analysed account of Churchill's views on India.'

-- International Affairs

‘An important and immensely rewarding account.’

-- Deccan Chronicle

'A masterful exposure of Churchill’s views and actions regarding India.'

-- The Asian Age

‘A thoughtful and even-handed history.’

-- Business Standard

‘A judicious appraisal of the effect of Churchill’s prejudices on British policy.’

-- Asian Affairs

'Reid’s writing of this history is not just enlightening but also marked by an accessible style and an endearingly dry wit.'

-- The Telegraph India

‘Few will deny that this book is a worthwhile addition to a debate that is unlikely to end anytime soon. The writing is fluent and elegant, and the work is organised coherently.’

-- Journal of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association

‘Judicious, elegantly argued and a joy to read, Fighting Retreat addresses the thorny questions of why Churchill took such a jaundiced view of India and whether his obduracy over Indian independence fed the rancour that led to Partition. As the author of seminal works on both India and Churchill, Walter Reid is well placed to supply the answers. He does so with elan and conviction. This is an important and immensely rewarding account of a hitherto puzzling conundrum.’

-- John Keay, author of India: A History and The Honourable Company: A History of the English East India Company

‘A splendid book, clear-eyed and dispassionate, which perfectly captures the essence of Churchill’s misguided ire towards India. The presentation of him and his approach to India, the various peoples of India and to Indian nationalism, is compelling. I have really, really enjoyed this. Not only does Reid write beautifully, but the issues are arrayed clinically, and despatched calmly and authoritatively.’

-- Robert Lyman, author of A War of Empires and Slim, Master of War

‘History writing at its best. A fascinating and important story, beautifully, clearly and fairly told. An excellent read.’

-- Oliver Everett, Librarian Emeritus, Royal Library, Windsor Castle, and first secretary, UK High Commission, New Delhi, 1969–73

‘In this day and age, Churchill remains a controversial figure: he is seen as a great patriot in Britain but nothing less than an archetypical imperialist villain in India. Reid has put his hands into a wasp’s nest to examine Churchill’s attitude towards India. To his credit, he has come up with a fair and warts-and-all account that explains Churchill’s attitude, even while it does not excuse it.’

-- Manoj Joshi, distinguished fellow, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi

‘Walter Reid pulls no punches in this troubling book, and the attentive reader will have much to reconsider.’

-- John Hussey, OBE, Winner of the Templer Medal Prize for Waterloo: The Campaign of 1815

‘Reid’s account and assessment is critical and impartial. The real Winston Churchill emerges with blemishes and strengths but not a friend of India.’

-- General T S Shergill, PVSM