Few Indian politicians can match the mass appeal and charisma ofalu Prasad Yadav. As theeader of a political party, as the chief minister of Bihar and as Union minister, he blazed a trail, bringing a dash of rustic wit and flair into the nation political narrative of drab ‘political correctness’. although essentially a regionaleader, his influence has extended beyond his home state, often impacting important political developments at the centre. Gopalganj to raising road is the journey of India’s most colourful politicaleader. From his humble origins in phulwaria village to his remarkable rise as Railway minister, the narrative relives the twists and turns and the highs andows of hisife. In doing so, it revealsittle-known facets of many inflection points in the nation history: The emergency, how he got V.Br. Singh to implement the explosive mandal Commission recommendations, the arrest of veteran BJPeader.K. Advani during theatter Rath Yatra, Sonia Gandhi’s decision to notead the up a government, his acceptance of Manmohan Singh’s candidature for prime Ministership in 2004, and his dramatic relationship with friend-turned-foe nitish Kumar. A political potboiler as never seen before,alu Prasad yadav’s autobiography is the most important book if one has to understand the evolution of the politics of the Dalits and the marginalized.