Jawaharlal Nehru, adulated during his lifetime, first as the most charismatic leader of the Congress party during India's freedom struggle and subsequently as independent India's first Prime Minister, has in recent years suffered ill-informed denigration. This book seeks to restore a balance by providing a well-rounded picture of Nehru the man and statesman and by placing his career within the social milieu and political context of his times.

This re-evaluation focuses particularly on significant aspects of Nehru's life. The author traces the development of Nehru's nationalist ideas, and discusses his interaction with significant personalities of his time such as his father Motilal Nehru, Gandhi, Bose and Azad. Other important and controversial topics covered include Nehru's attitude to Partition, economic planning, administration, and non-alignment, as well as his relations with the British.

A concluding overview brings together the complex strands of Nehru's multi-faceted personality and career.