Relentless: an autobiography

From bureaucrat to politician, and from one century to the next, Yashwant Sinha's incredible journey from modest beginnings to the highest corridors of power is a tribute to a family's determination and sacrifices, a young man's indomitable grit and an enduring ode to a nation in the throes of constant churn and change.

Having worked with three prime ministers and two chief ministers, former administrator and union minister Sinha has been a part of the country's transformation from a fledging postcolonial democracy to one of the world's most exciting economies to watch out for-a transformation in which he has played an active role as a parliamentarian, minister for external affairs and two-time finance minister in two vastly different governments. It is also a compelling read for Sinha's commentary on things as diverse as politics, religion, democracy and its institutions, as well as family, personal struggle and a relentless pursuit of bigger dreams.

From when bureaucrats often bicycled to work and the back lanes of Bihar to the autobahn of Bonn; from the benches of the Indian Parliament to the podium of the UN General Assembly; from behind the bars of various jails to centre stage as a dissenting voice in a majority government-Relentless tells the story of one of India's most well-known public faces, in his very own unique voice, and some of its most iconic leaders and political parties, with neither fear nor favour. From JP and Chandra Shekhar to VP Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi, the book gives an insight into the rise and fall of leaders and ideologies that have charted a unique course for our democracy amid fierce personal and political strife.