India, Jan. 11 -- He was endowed with a razor sharp mind, which he used and misused. He had a poor judgement.

If you wish to write a worthwhile biography, read Jairam Ramesh's biography of V.K. Krishna Menon (1896-1974). A Chequered Brilliance. It is 725 pages long. It is an outstanding example of how to present the portrait of a very complex, untrustworthy, acerbic, first rate intellectual, inspired leader of the India League in Britain for over 20 years and to do so with masterly skill. Jairam has got Menon just right.warts and all. Yet, I believe Menon does not deserve a 725-page biography.

Krishna Menon was endowed with a razor sharp mind, which he used and misused. He had a poor judgement. He collected a group of second rate hange...