Between January and August 1947, the conflicting political, religious, and social tensions in India culminated in independence from Britain. It also witnessed the rushed creation of Pakistan as a country in two halves whose capitals were 1200 miles apart. As partition was realized, nearly one million people died and countless more lost their homes and their livelihoods. Recounting the events of this fraught period, Barney White-Spunner explains how it has resulted in three wars, countless acts of terrorism, and two nations with millions living in poverty spending disproportionate amounts on their military.