Library Journal
"As she tells Azariah's story, Harper illuminates the themes and conflicts that have shaped India's recent history: Gandhi, who considered all religions to have equal value, nevertheless associated Christianity with British imperialism and saw Hinduism as a potent cultural force for uniting anticolonial India. Azariah, on the other hand, considered Hinduism, particularly its caste system, to be responsible for most of the negative aspects of Indian culture. . . This book is carefully researched and well written."
Choice
"This is a fascinating account of a little-known figure in the history of modern India, yet one deserving of recognition for a variety of reasons. Harper masterfully brings to light the life, thought, and impact of the first indigenous Anglican bishop of India, whose career was largely overshadowed by 20th century Indian nationalism. Drawing upon a wealth of historical and bibliographic resources, Harper demonstrates keen skills as a historian and biographer."
H-Net Reviews
"This is the only critical study of V.S. Azariah's public life and legacy, and will likely remain the definitive biography for some time to come. . . Harper's path breaking study has placed Azariah on the radar screen and scholars can no longer ignore Azariah and his role in British colonial and Indian history."
American Historical Review
"Susan Billington Harper treats Bishop Azariah as a character caught among the conflicting ideologies of nationalism, imperialism, and global Christian expansionism, and her beautifully written and thoroughly documented study of his life illuminates each of them."
Dialogue & Alliance
"This book is a masterful work of historical research, the marshaling of evidence and argumentation and debunking clichés of past understandings. It is a historian's delight with rewarding footnotes, a 75-page bibliography with 14 pages devoted to Azariah himself, and written not only with clarity but with an excitement in the telling of the tale. . . Susan Billington Harper has written the definitive book on Bishop Azariah and has made a significant contribution to Christian missionary history."
