Book Reviews
Critical commentary, insights, and summaries of seminal legal texts, memoirs, and academic publications.
Biography / Constitutional History
Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography
By Fali S. Nariman
Reviewed byKush Bhardwaj•July 2026
★★★★★
On Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography
An essential chronicle of India's constitutional history, Nariman's autobiography is a masterclass in professional integrity, judicial independence, and the art of advocacy. It offers invaluable insights for any young lawyer seeking to understand the conscience of the Bar.
Legal History / Memoir
Nani Palkhivala: The Courtroom Genius
By Soli J. Sorabjee & Arvind P. Datar
Reviewed byKush Bhardwaj•June 2026
★★★★★
On Nani Palkhivala: The Courtroom Genius
Sorabjee and Datar capture the electrifying brilliance of Palkhivala, detailing how his courtroom arguments shaped fundamental rights jurisprudence in Kesavananda Bharati. It captures the spirit of a defender of civil liberties during India's darkest hours.
Constitutional Law / Political Science
The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation
By Granville Austin
Reviewed byKush Bhardwaj•May 2026
★★★★½
On The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation
Austin's seminal work remains the gold standard for understanding the debates, personalities, and compromises of the Constituent Assembly. A rigorous and highly engaging study of how the core pillars of the Indian Republic were constructed.