Who is the Author of Freedom at Midnight?

The book Freedom at Midnight was written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. This is a non-fiction book published in 1975 which narrates the events between Lord Mountbatten's arrival and Mahatma Gandhi's death. It is based on hundreds of personal interviews and official records.

Who Were Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre?

Larry Collins (1929-2005) was an eminent American journalist and author who hailed from West Hartford, Connecticut. He started out as a correspondent for the Newsweek Magazine, and went on to become a highly respected writer with specialisation in historical narratives. He had an excellent journalistic sense coupled with great investigative skills.

Dominique Lapierre (1931-2022) was an eminent French author and philanthropist born in Châtelaillon-Plage, France. A dedicated journalist and a world traveler, Lapierre spent many years documenting stories of human misery and endurance. Apart from that, Lapierre was widely acknowledged for his charitable works in India, especially in Kolkata.

Collins and Lapierre were one of the best-known literary collaborations in the history of writing. Their books like "Is Paris Burning?", "O Jerusalem!" and "Freedom at Midnight" became global bestsellers, selling millions of copies worldwide.

What is the historical focus of Freedom at Midnight?

The book is about the last year of the British Raj. It was the time when Britain ruled India. It starts with the arrival of Lord Mountbatten in Delhi. He was the last Viceroy of India and the first Governor-General of India.

Note:  Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy and the first Governor-General of Independent India.

The authors describe the intense meetings between the Indian leaders, which included Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The book provides an account of the making of the Partition plan. Partition was the legal process of dividing British India into India and Pakistan.

Who were the main characters described in the book?

Lord Mountbatten is a central figure in the story. He was interviewed for around 30 hours by the authors. He shared his personal view of the Indian leaders. The book depicts Jawaharlal Nehru as a modern visionary.

It also refers to the resolute attitude of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He was the leader who contributed to the merger of the princely states with India. The Princely States were areas where local kings ruled under British control. The book reveals the human side of these powerful men.

Interesting Facts About Freedom at Midnight

1. Freedom at Midnight is co-authored by American journalist  Larry Collins and French author  Dominique Lapierre, who form one of the most iconic writing duos ever seen.

2. This book was initially published in 1975, whereupon it quickly became a global bestseller, being translated into over 16 different languages around the world.

 3. The book talks about what many historians refer to as the most intense time in India's history, which happened to be its final year under British occupation in 1947.

4. The writers spent over 30 hours interviewing Lord Mountbatten on tape and also managed to get access to his private diaries.

 5. This book was the basis for the 2017 movie Viceroy's House, as well as the 2024 SonyLIV Hindi web series Freedom at Midnight, directed by Nikkhil Advani.

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