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As many here have said, a hard read. It cannot be denied that Ms. Mayo would be, by the standards of our time, considered a bigoted woman, and a racist. She writes with the self-assurance (some would say smugness) of someone who is absolutely sure of the broad superiority of her own ways over those of others. That said, this is not a bad book. For the sociologist, Ms. Mayo's proto-feminism (in deed if not in words) contrasting with her strongly orthodox views makes for a fascinating bit of subtext for the modern reader to consider. For the historian: While the author obviously feels very strongly about the subject, she cites wherever possible sources - Indian sources - to back up that yes, much of the awful words she puts in the mouths of Indians did in fact issue from their mouths as she said it did. Read it as a historical curio. That said, many Indians here note that Mayo was not entirely wrong, and that many of the complaints she levels against what was then the Hindustan still hold true today. It's quite the book if it can make you feel simultaneously uncomfortable for its tone as well as for the accuracy of some of its content!
