Reading some books helps understand contemporary realities from an alternate perspective. The two books I introduce here are the ones written by authors who belonged to Kashmir. One of them lived through the times which he converted into a memoir and the other researched about them. Both come from a milieu that allows them to […]
Book Review
Gandhi’s Hinduism the struggle against Jinnah’s Islam
When it comes to the writings on political Islam in India, there is no better contemporary author than Akbar. In this superbly researched book, he takes the reader through that phase of Indian history, which had seen political Islam in its most aggressive avatar. There are countless books on the story of India’s partition. I […]
The Indian Conservative – A History of Indian Right Wing thought
The Indian Conservative is doubtless the first of its kind Indian book on the topic authored by eminent tech-entrepreneur and author Jaithirth Rao. It is a monologue essentially in a ‘discursive, anecdotal, conversational and elliptic’ style as the author puts it. Rich in information, this book about Indian conservatism gives the nationalist individuals and scholars […]
Empires of the weak – The real story of European expansion and the creation of the new world order
If you are interested in military history, this one is a recommended reading. Themed around the military campaigns of the European powers in 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, it essentially tries to highlight the lesser known side of the failures of those powers in Asia and Africa. Interesting to know that almost until the […]
The costliest pearl – China’s struggle for India’s Ocean
Like all his other books, this one by Bertil Lintner too is a fascinating read. Good book to understand the emerging big power game, ‘a new cold war’ as Lintner describes it, in the Indo-Pacific region today. Indo-Pacific has emerged as the most important and happening region in the world in global geo-politics today. All […]
The Lost History of Liberalism – From Ancient Rome to the twenty first century
This book is a very interesting expose’ of the Liberalist dogma right from its ancient Roman beginnings to today’s western identity. Largely focused on the happenings in Europe, this book highlights the long history of omissions and commissions in the name of liberalism in various countries. Liberal word began as an abuse and epithet in […]
The Clash of Ideas – The ideological battles that made the modern world and will shape the future
There can be no better book to understand the 20th century politics of Europe and the West and their priorities for the ensuing century than to go through the collection of articles in this excellent edition of Foreign Affairs magazine. It is a compilation of articles by very eminent intellectuals like Harold Laski, Isaiah Berlin, […]
Nationalism in Hindu Culture
This Radha Kumud Mookerji’s 1921 vintage book was republished by Bibliolife. Very informative book on nationalism, patriotism and political ideals embedded in ancient Hindu scriptures and Sanskrit literature. Must read small book for Indic scholars and enthusiasts.
The Levelling – What’s next after Globalisation
The Levelling is an excellent, thought-provoking analysis of the future in store for different countries and continents. Michael o’ Sullivan insists that the age of globalisation has ended and a new world order is emerging with newer challenges. He takes us back to the Levellers movement of the 17th century Britain to engender ideas that […]
They snatched my playground
‘They Snatched My Playground’ is a superb personal narrative of a journalist-turned BJP politician from Kashmir Valley Khalid Jehangir about his life in the Valley, it’s terrorism, it’s politics and about the silent majority whose voices are hardly heard or whose stories hardly spoken about. Khalid had a distinct advantage in life in the sense […]