Customer Reviews:
 Marvellous January 4, 2007
Powerfully intelligent analysis. The book is academic in tone but still very readable and takes on controversial subjects with rare open-mindedness and courage. Every Sikh in Britain should read it.
An excellent book October 16, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Gurharpal Singh and Darshan Singh Tatla's book is an essential work for understanding and gaining an insight on the culture and history of the British Sikh community. It works both as a primer on how British Sikhs have battled racism and established a unique and vibrant culture in the UK, but also suggests areas of controversy and tensions within the community, which manifest themselves in issues like inter-generational conflict, gender issues, the move from a traditional family structure, all the way through to the protests against the play Behzti. But the real strength of this book is how it moves away from standard `headline' subjects, (giving an overview of multiculturalism vis a vis Sikhs, racism, the history of Sikh nationalism in the diaspora etc) and takes in the full scope of British Sikh identity, exploring topics like gender, sexuality, and the bhangra music scene and other creative and artistic movements, which represent a kind of space in which a secular British Sikh identity is created, and is a phenomenon that is not appreciated enough. It works both as an overview, as well as being a summation of British Sikh achievement and culture and a pointer to the future, simultaneously celebrating and offering a generous critique of trends and sociological aspects of the British Sikh achievement. Highly recommended for both British Sikhs and non Sikhs.
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