Book Reviews In Quest of Jinnah: Diary, Notes and Correspondence of Hector Bolitho,

Abstract

1n comparison to West, historiography and the writing of biographies in the East especially in South East Asia has a very different methodology, colour and flair. For instance, in the absence of authentic historical and chronological details and classified records, subjective even impressionistic approaches are employed with the help of whatever information is available. Where as a biography should, in principle, develop and explore a complete analysis of personality, focusing on different aspects like intimate friends, associates, experiences, achievements, moments of triumph and failures etc. It should not be a pedestrian historical cum chronological account of impersonal facts like birth, education, employment and death. While it should not assume pronounced fictional tone or style, a biography should at least be a piece of readable literature.