"It is as if the tight-lipped reticence of our fathers and grandfathers has at last been unleashed, and we hear this epic tale of the Decline and Fall of the Raj for the first time, mingled with the proud struggle for freedom, independence and identity. This is a vast and intricate investigation, with an impressive geographical and political reach but skilfully combined with a page-turning focus on the principal players, their crimes, lovers, ideals and agents.".