City of Djinns - William Dalrymple (1993)

William Dalrymple lived in Delhi in the 80s for a year. This book is a testimony to the same. His quest started in Delhi; he went to other parts of India, Pakistan, Ireland, and the UK if that quest demanded. The story has several short exploratory journeys, like the people of the East India Company and their connections to India. The riots that followed the independence or after Indira Gandhi's assassination also are mentioned. The history of Shah Jahan's descendants, Lodhis, the Tughlags, the remnants of their creations and their current status are all discussed in the book. He tries to find the historical evidence of Mahabharata, including a last-minute chase to the Nigambodh Ghat. But he hardly can connect any dots there. The rituals and mythological practices followed by men, women, and the other sex of India related to the stories find a place in the book. If you are a Delhi resident, you will still wonder, have you understood Delhi enough? 

An original work supported by evidence, yet the book reads like a story. Every time you think about why I did not try to find this out when I was in Delhi. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of India. 

The Nutmeg's Curse - Amitabha Ghosh (2021)

So much fuss about what? The book has excellent research covering generations of human activity leading to destruction. It is well understood, yet we always felt it is local. It describes the Western exploitation of the colonies very well, but making it a book on the environment is a substantial stretch. The issue is human race never acted from the learning. Writing hundreds of more articles will not change a thing. Pointing fingers at activities related to the Western world, while the native focus was towards sustainable growth, is again wishful thinking. All that explained in the book will not lead to saving the world from climatic disasters. It looked like a lot of work has gone into creating associations with non-proximate causes that are hard to understand and lead to reader fatigue. If someone wants to use this book as research work for a literature review from scholarly texts, she can do so. 

After a few chapters, it became hard to read and almost nagging in most places. I will not recommend the book as the effort does not justify a value add. 

PARADOXES OF PAKISTAN: A GLIMPSE - Belkacem Belmekki & Michel Naumann (2022)

India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads for 75 years since their independence. Being an Indian, I have very little understanding of the neighbouring country. There is a general perception that Pakistan is a failed state. There are some signs of success in fields like sports, but overall the state is in economic turmoil. What led to such a state of the country? Reading this book clarified some of that. The book has three parts:

1. History before Pakistan - A glance of Indian history till the British era.
2. History of the founding fathers - Gives an insight into the Sayid Ahmed Khan, Mohammed Iqbal, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
3. History of Pakistan - Post-independence history of Pakistan. 

The state is based on fear and is not on a positive sentiment of success. Hence, the focus has always been on saving the government than developing the nation for the people. The overall country has spent all its energy on militancy and in-fightings. While Indian governments focused on national development efforts within the framework of the constitution, Pakistan's leading politicians were busy keeping the military happy and using or being used by them. Under a hundred pages but will not be an easy read, for it will make you think and assimilate. 

Tharoorosauraus - Shashi Tharoor (2020)

What amazes me most is when you have managed to scrape through the understanding of languages; someone has mastered them beyond humans. That is my understanding of Shashi Tharoor's mastery of the language. About 50 words, some very much in regular vocabulary, some from Tharoorobulary (my amateurish authorism), have been explained thread-bare; their etymology, alternate usage, who said it, etc. It is fun reading the book.  Yet what worries me is whether I learnt the nuances enough to apply them in real life. 

Almost unputdownable. Yet, do not gulp more than you can chew to make the learning persistent. 

Republic & Other Dialogues - Plato (~400 BC)

A book written about two and half thousand years ago needs no introduction or explanation. One may feel enchanted to explore the originals. The first chapter is Socrates's speech for his defence, where he justifies his actions and why the city is not correct in considering him a traitor. A few subsequent chapters lead to the actual day of Socrates's death. Symposium is a chapter where learned men of Athens discuss love over a banquet. The last part of the book is devoted to eight chapters of the Republic which is considered the best-known work of Plato and his philosophies on developing the ideal state. The book explains the ideal soldiers, their training, the family and child-raising process, etc. The state should have a philosopher as the ruler. Today, one may find the concepts arcane and the arguments not in line with modern interpretations expected of a book written so long back. The last chapters are on the soul, where the soul moves on after death, etc. 

I will not consider the book a must-read. An avid reader of philosophy may find this fundamental on the topic. 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach , Russell Munson (Photographer) (1973)

During college, many friends read it and found it inspirational; so did I. As a young adult, the parables are hardly appealing. Today when I look back, these messages keep the book relevant today. 

1. Work hard and practice.

2. Do not lose heart.

3. There is no limit. 

4. Lead the next-gen with the same thought and encourage them to aspire to grow in the craft. 

A quick flip through; yet engaging book. 

Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift (1700s)

This book does not need an introduction or a review but requires a retelling. Most people consider it a fantasy story of a traveller and the new worlds he has discovered as part of his voyage of 16 years. The book is about Jonathan Swift showing a mirror to the entire human race. The Lilliput is not a physically tiny creature but an insecure beast struggling to cope with people of higher capability and intellect. A giant is not a person of bodily presence but a person who does not realize his ugly parts are equally visible and giant. He treats a smaller creature as a showcase for entertainment. Similarly, the last two chapters explicitly point out follies in the human being in extreme details that have to dominate with its colonial mindset. The book should be read as an adult; I am sure everyone will find a connection in their personal and professional lives. 

A remarkable piece of timeless satire!!!