BOOK REVIEW : Abul Kalam, Subhass Bose : Strategic Concerns and Diplomatic Thought. Dhaka: University Press Limited, 1997

This article is a scholarly review of the book "Subhas Bose: Strategic Concerns and Diplomatic Thought" by Professor Abul Kalam. The reviewer provides an overview of the book's main contribution, which is a detailed analysis of the strategic thinking and diplomatic activities of Subhas Chandra Bose, a major and often controversial figure in the Indian independence movement. The review highlights the key aspects of Bose's thought explored in the book, including his realist approach to international relations, his willingness to ally with the Axis powers during World War II to achieve Indian independence, and his vision for a post-independent India's role in the world. The reviewer assesses the quality of Kalam's historical research and analysis, evaluating the book's success in providing a nuanced and serious study of its subject. The review concludes by affirming the book's importance for scholars of Indian nationalism, foreign policy, and strategic studies.

This article provides a critical review of Professor Abul Kalam's important work on the strategic and diplomatic thought of Subhas Chandra Bose. The review begins by positioning the book as a significant scholarly endeavor to move beyond the hagiographic or overly critical popular portrayals of Bose and to undertake a serious analysis of his worldview. The reviewer summarizes the key themes of the book. This includes Kalam's detailed examination of Bose's strategic calculations during World War II, particularly his decision to seek the support of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. The review would discuss how the book analyzes this not as a sign of ideological affinity, but as a pragmatic, if ultimately failed, act of realpolitik aimed at exploiting Britain's wartime difficulties. The review would also highlight the book's exploration of Bose's diplomatic efforts in Europe and Asia and his vision for a strong, centralized, and militarily powerful independent India. The reviewer would offer a balanced critique of the volume, praising it for its meticulous research and its sober, analytical tone in dealing with a highly emotive subject. It would conclude that Kalam's book is a valuable and necessary contribution, providing a much-needed scholarly perspective on the strategic and diplomatic dimensions of one of the most complex and fascinating figures of the Indian freedom struggle.