Partition - Barney White-Spunner

The library service in Devon recently dropped all late fees. Although I’ve never had to pay any before, when I saw the announcement I realised that I hadn’t used Exeter Library in quite a while. It is a particularly good library with a big selection, so I went in, ordered a new card since I’d lost my last one and had a look at the history section. This book tells the story of partition, there are twelve chapters, one for each month in 1947. It’s not just the events of the particular month which are covered in its chapter, but the major happenings that led up to them are also included. It is written by a retired British Army officer, who in the introduction of the book is reflecting on how his time in Basra during the Iraq war echoes that period of British history. It is another instance of Britain staying longer than it should have in international affairs. I still see no real justification for us having entered Iraq in the first place however. This is one of many parts of history…