Book Review: Maus (Complete Part I and II) by Art Spiegelman

Maus (Complete Part I and II) by Art Spiegelman

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended

How difficult it is to write the review of a book acclaimed worldwide by critics? It is the only graphic novel to have won a Pulitzer Prize.  Between moral weight and artistic expression, one struggles to find words that do justice to a depiction of quiet lives being lived alongside a loud and brutal sweep of history.

"The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting," - Milan Kundera 

“A human being survives by his ability to forget. Memory is always ready to blot out the bad and retain only the good.” - Varlam Shalamov

Both these quotes hold profound significance in understanding the dynamics of power struggles, history, and human agency. Yet some memories refuse oblivion; they persist through narrative as a warning and a plea to the humanity. This memory has been itched in a book touching the lives of many and showing all the importance of bearing witness through art. History has shown that it does not start with concentration camps or mass murder, or civil war or genocide. It always starts with words: stereotypes, cliches, tropes. The fight against dehumanization, therefore, also needs to start with words. Stories. This is where Spiegelman’s Maus stands—using the intimacy of storytelling to resist erasure of the unimaginable suffering.

Maus is a graphic novel in two parts and it’s autobiographical written by Art Spiegelman. Maus I: My Father Bleeds History tells the story of Vladek Spiegelman’s life in pre-war Poland and his survival through the Nazi ghettos and camps. Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began continues Vladek’s story with the death marches, liberation from Auschwitz and the aftershocks of war. Through his parents (Vladek and Anja’s) experiences, the author depicts the horrors of the Holocaust, trauma of the survivors and tortured relationship with his aging father.

Set against the devastated landscapes of wartime and postwar Europe, the story offers an unflinching portrayal of survival, resilience, and the generational legacy of the Holocaust, blending personal memory with historical narrative. Through Anja Spiegelman, Vladek's wife, exhibits a different kind of heroism marked by emotional resilience and mental stamina. The novel also explores the complicated nature of heroism by refusing to idealize its characters. Through Vladek’s character, Spiegelman captures both the ingenuity that ensured survival and the lingering psychological scars that shadow life long after liberation. 

In Maus, last part of the narrative unfolds in 1970 at Rego Park, New York, centering around Art Spiegelman’s strained relationship with his father, Vladek who is portrayed with flaws - difficult personality, frugality, and moments of bitterness. The most remarkable and unexpected page in the graphic novel was the reaction of Vladek with fear and racial slur towards a Black Man. Spiegelman portrays a painful irony: a Holocaust survivor, once persecuted himself, now exhibits prejudices similar to those that dehumanized him. Maus teaches the readers a critical lesson on how discrimination persists universally, transcending both time and place.

The graphic novel’s layered storytelling merges visuals and text to evoke a powerful emotional and intellectual response. Spiegelman’s minimalist black-and-white art style that contrasts innocence and brutality effectively. Through its first-person perspective and the seamless interplay of image and language, it offers a profound exploration of both the graphic novel form and Holocaust memory.

In Maus, the symbolic use of animal allegory- Jews as mice, Germans as cats, Poles as pigs, and the French as frogs—functions as a striking visual metaphor that exposes the constructed nature of racial and national identities. This also sparked criticism in Poland, where some readers perceive the depiction of Poles as pigs as perpetuating negative stereotypes and oversimplifying complex historical realities.

Beyond its artistic merit, “Maus” stands as an example of the power of art to document the genocide and offer commentary on the horrors of the Third Reich. The allure is not so much to do with history as it is to present human, where flawed ideas of racial supremacy lead to genocide as cautionary tales to the readers. Maus is an essential read that tackles both private memory and historical horror.

4th Letter to Teen Taal (तीन ताल को चौथा ख़त लिखा )

तीन ताल के सभी साथियों को जय हो, जय हो, जय हो! मेरी चौथी चिट्ठी आप सबके मानसिक स्वास्थ्य को समर्पित है! किसी तीन तालिये  ने कहा था "तीन ताल के घाट पे, भईया, बकबक की भीड़, गपशप के लिए जुट गए, राजा, रंक, फकीर" ! राजा, रंक, फकीर के साथ इस बार कुछ लिबरल्स ने तीन ताल को सुना। उनको बहुत बहुत साधुवाद। यह विविधता हमारे समाज की जटिलता को दर्शाती है, जहाँ हर आवाज़, चाहे वह राजा हो या आम आदमी, संवाद की साझा धुन में एक साथ जुड़ती है।

आज मैं बात करूँगा उस चउतरफा चर्चा की, जहां मानसिक स्वास्थ्य की व्यथा और चिंतन ने ताऊ-वादी दर्शन और उदारवादी विचारों के बीच टकराव को जन्म दिया!  कमलेश ताऊ, आसिफ़ ख़ांचा और कुलदीप सरदार मेंटल हेल्थ पर चर्चा कर रहे थे  और  ताऊ ने  दीपिका पादुकोण को भारत की पहली मेंटल हेल्थ एम्बेसडर बनाए जाने पर तंज कसा कि यह सब एक बड़प्पन दिखाने का तरीका है, और थेरेपी को अमीरों का स्टेटस सिंबल बताया। इससे सोशल मीडिया पर लोग इतने खफा हुए जैसे किसी ने रंगदारी नहीं दिया हो! लिबरल्स ने शर्मनाक घोषित क़िया, एपिसोड कैंसिल कराने और बायकॉट की धमकी दे डाली। फिर भी कुछ  हुआ नहीं। तीन ताल के सुनाने वाले ठसक से बड़े और मिजाज से प्यारे  होते  हैं  इसलिए वो ताऊ के साथ खड़े मिले । जन जन का नारा है, तीन ताल हमारा है का उदघोष सोशल मीडिया पर गूंज उठा।

पहले तीन ताल की मूल भावना हास्य रस है और ये बैठकी ग़ज़ब का मंजर है! एक तरफ़ गांधी जी की गंभीर फोटो, दूसरी ओर मर्लिन मुनरो की मुस्कुराती तस्वीर, और बीच में तीन ताल पॉडकास्ट का स्टूडियो — जहाँ विचार ऐसे टकरा रहे हैं जैसे समोसे की प्लेट पर चटनी और मिर्च। गांधी जी के पीछे लिखा है "सादा जीवन, उच्च विचार", और मुनरो की तरफ़ से झलक रहा है "ग्लैमर भरा विचित्र संसार". बीच में होस्ट लोग बैठे हैं और तीन ताल का ध्वज-पताका ऐसे फहरा रहा है मानो विचारों का स्वतन्त्रता संग्राम चल रहा हो।

तीन ताल, सादा जीवन और बिज़ारे विचार का तुग़लक़ी संगम है। ताऊ-वादी दर्शन हर समस्या को तुगलकी विचार से सोचने के नाम है ! और ताऊ-वादी विचारक विरोधों से अपनी दिशा नहीं बदला करते। और जो हर रोज़ रुख़ और तवज्जो पलटते रहते हैं, वे ताऊ-वादी विचारक नहीं होते। ताऊ का सोशल मीडिया पे अपने विचार पे अडिग रहते देखना अच्छा लगा, एक एक जुमला याद आया, "वो उसूल ही क्या जिसकी कीमत ना चुकानी पड़े! 

जब  फ्री स्पीच  का  ध्येय  रख  कर  अति गंभीर से लेकर अनौपचारिक तक सब पे बात हो रही  है,  ये है रुदाली रुदन क्यों ! रूढ़िवादी कहते हैं धर्म पे व्यंग्य न बोलिये और लिबरल्स बोलते हैं मेन्टल हेल्थ पे व्यंग्य न बोलिये। आज लिबरल्स हों या रूढ़िवादी — दोनों पक्षों ने विचार को नारे में बदल दिया है। जब भाषा केवल दलीलों का हथियार बन जाती है, तब स्वतंत्रता मर जाती है। असली बोलने की क्षमता वही है जो किसी खेमे में रहते हुए भी उसके झूठ को पहचान सके। सोशल मीडिया पर कितनों को मैं सूरज समझ बैठा था, बाद में मालूम हुआ वो तो महज़ दिया निकले। कभी रंग बदलते हैं, कभी रुख़। मूल बात यह है कि कुछ लोगों की नैतिकता ऐसा आईना बन गई है, जिसमें हम स्वयं को चमकदार और श्रेष्ठ प्रदर्शन करते हैं, पर दूसरों की खामियों को ही देखते हैं। बाकी मेरा आपका जीवन समाप्त हो जाएगा, आउटरेज ख़त्म नहीं होगा।

वैसे  देश में मानसिक स्वास्थ्य पर बात करने पे हिचक है I मेन्टल हेल्थ को नकार देनी वाली बातें अक्सर आकर्षक लगती हैं, लेकिन उनके असली मायने और वास्तविकता करीब जाकर ही समझ आती है यहाँ हर समस्या का समाधान है — थोड़ा पॉज़िटिव सोचो और चाय पी लो। विशेषज्ञों की जगह अब मोटिवेशनल स्पीकर बैठेंगे, जो हर तीसरे वाक्य में कहेंगे, “तुम्हारा मन कमजोर नहीं, तुम्हारा वाईफाई स्लो है |

बुजुर्गों ने कहा है... चिंता चिता समान है! — बस फर्क इतना है कि अब ये चिता वाई-फाई से जलती है। लोग सुबह उठते ही अपने “स्ट्रेस लेवल” को फिटनेस बैंड की तरह ट्रैक करते हैं, नींद नहीं आती तो मेडिटेशन ऐप डाउनलोड कर लेते हैं, और फिर उसी ऐप की रिव्यू पढ़कर और चिंतित हो जाते हैं। ऐसा लगता है मानो मानसिक स्वास्थ्य अब कोई आत्मिक यात्रा नहीं, बल्कि सब्सक्रिप्शन प्लान हो गया है — महीना दो, चिंता लो, चिता स्थगित!  

ऊपर से विज्ञापन के तौर पर ब्रांड एंबेसडर बनाए जाने के मुद्दे पर व्यंग्यपूर्ण और गंभीर चर्चा को भी कुछ ज्वलनशील लोगों तटस्थता की जगह उग्रता से ले लेते हैं |  तीन ताल का अनुभव, मानो अंतर्मन की नदी में प्रवाहित एक सतत संवाद है, जिसमें  हर विचार्रों की  हर लहर — चाहे वह गंभीर हो या चुटीली, पवित्र हो या सांसारिक, सतही हो या गहरी, आपके दिमाग को  स्फूर्ति देती है | ऐसा सुनना सिर्फ बातें सुनना नहीं, बल्कि उनकी सोच और महसूस को समझना है।  जब हम ताऊ को ध्यान से, लंबे समय तक सुनें, तो ऐसा लगता है जैसे वो हमारे मन में उतर गए हों।  

यह संवाद, अपनी विविधता और गहराई में समृद्ध, सिर्फ बातचीत नहीं बल्कि सहानुभूति और समझ का जीवंत आदान-प्रदान बन जाता है। इस चौथे खत के अंत में बस यही कहना है कि आप लोगों की जुगलबंदी शानदार हैं। आने वाले एपिसोड में हाथ जोड़कर अनुरोध है कि आप हिंदी क्षेत्र से दूर देश बिदेश में  रह रहे हिंदी भाषियों के जीवन-संघर्ष और मानसिक स्वास्थ  पर भी प्रकाश डालें—क्योंकि बहुत से तीन तालिये दूर- सदूर से आपको सुनते हैं। तीन ताल के सभी साथियों को मेरा कोटि-कोटि प्रणाम।  जय हो, जय हो, जय हो! 

--- यायावर  ( टीटी स्टाफ)

Book Review: The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan

The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ Worth Reading

“The age of empire and the rise of the west were built on the capacity to inflict violence on a major scale. The Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, the progression towards democracy, civil liberty and human rights, were not the result of an unseen chain linking back to Athens in antiquity or a natural state of affairs in Europe; they were the fruits of political, military and economic success in faraway continents.”

The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan challenges conventional Eurocentric narratives by revealing how global history, trade, and exchange formed the bedrock for the modern world.  This perspective challenges the notion of Western progress as an isolated or inevitable phenomenon, situating it instead within the interconnected histories of empire, trade, conquest, and genocide.  

The Silk Roads is a deceptive title for a profound book. While the title evokes images of ancient trade routes, the book encompasses far more. It places ancient global dynamics revealing the enduring interconnectedness of civilizations and the forces shaping our world. 

Initial chapters of the book focus on the origins of the Silk Road as ancient commercial and cultural networks. They further dwell into how religions, revolutionary ideas, alliances and beliefs traversed the Silk Road, shaping societies across continents. The book gives a glance on the rise of key cities like Minsk, Kyiv, and Novgorod adds a crucial dimension to The Silk Roads. Frankopan delves deeply into how "military might, careful administration, low taxes and religious tolerance created the bedrock of the Mongol Empire."

Peter Frankopan goes on to discuss the commerce that is against the concept of modern society i.e. the movement of enslaved peoples and the impact of slavery on societies. The word "slave" is historically derived from the ethnonym "Slav," referring to the Slavic peoples. In the 8th and 9th centuries when many Slavs were captured and enslaved by Byzantines, Avars, Germanic tribes, and other groups during medieval wars and raids, leading to their ethnonym becoming synonymous with "slave" in Europe. 

The book further analyses the fur trade, oil (black gold), agricultural trade, gold and silver trade’s influence on power, politics, and global economies.  This trade affected the rise and fall of empires fueled by Silk Road wealth and connectivity. The last chapters deal with the Silk Road’s role during modern geopolitical tensions and America’s involvement and via Silk Road-inspired connections. Silk Road was once world's nervous system with the strategic geolocation of the Countries of the Silk Roads (from the Western borders of China to the Mediterranean Sea) has a historical ring. The 21st Century Silk Roads is what BRI is all about.

The book is vast in scope, profound in insight, and deeply philosophical in its approach. It is not merely a must-read—it demands multiple readings. The immense canvas the author unfolds can be overwhelming, yet this remains one of the finest and most illuminating treatises ever written on the idea of the Silk Road.

Book Review: Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud - Peter Watson

Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud by Peter Watson

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended

The past is an inheritance, a gift and a burden. It can’t be shirked. You carry it everywhere. There’s nothing for it but to get to know it. - Jill Lepore

Crisis makes radical ideas relevant. Radical ideas inspire social movements. Social movements amplify crisis. In a crisis, shovel-ready ideas can win support quickly. History is full of deeply flawed ideas adapted rapidly by civilization and also burial ground of the ideas applied with the best of intentions. We must look at history and to understand that change never, ever, ever comes about in a brief period. It's the gradual accumulation of knowledge as ideas to historical change that lead to the historical changes.

All the current knowledge has been built on past insights, and a book is devoted for the cause. Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud by Peter Watson, has covered the key intellectual milestones of humanity’s intellectual ascent. Central to the narrative is the theme that ideas—not war, politics, or economics—are the true drivers of history, which the author weaves with remarkable sensitivity. Watson crafts a sweeping intellectual history that traces how ideas evolve and have profound consequences. 

The book is a sweeping chronicle of how human beings have thought about the world and their place in it across cultures and centuries. The amount of knowledge condensed in a single book covering disciplines (science, philosophy, law, religion, the arts, music, economics, etc.), is astonishing! 

The reader will explore about the foundational scientific discoveries and their unexpected consequences. How great minds connect the dots across different ages and disciplines? Reader will delve into the major philosophical and religious movements that defined our ethical systems and societal structures, tracing thought from the earliest concepts of the soul to the complex theories of Freud.

Understanding how ideas evolved helps the reader appreciate the unique power of human thought and innovation. Watson’s methodology and narrative structure is exhausting for the reader as the book covers the depth and breadth of intellectual evolution. 

Reading the book is worth the effort. It's illuminating, but not without blind spots! The book is too Eurocentric, and it oversimplifies things for the experts. Peter Watson does acknowledge major non-Western civilizations (like China, India, and the Islamic world) and includes influential figures and concepts from them. However, their contributions are often subordinated to the narrative arc of Western intellectual development, especially from the Renaissance onward.

Bernard of Chartres, a medieval scholar, who said: "We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance..." The phrase has come to symbolize intellectual progress built on the foundations laid by others. The trajectory of knowledge — from fire, to writing, to the internet — suggests that future breakthroughs will continue to reshape human life. Confidence in the knowledge that those before you have achieved wonderful things in past always help an individual or community to overcome doubt, hysteria and even conspiracy theories. Ultimately, the book is a celebration—and critique—of the complex history of ideas that shape our world.  

9 Must-Read Essays and Journalism Classics from The Seen and the Unseen Podcast

"The Seen and the Unseen" is India's premier long-form podcast hosted by Amit Varma. The podcast, which has been running since 2017, features long-form conversations with intellectuals, writers, economists, historians, and thought leaders from India and around the world. 

I am only sharing the books recommended related to Journalism & Media:

1.The New New Journalism — Robert Boynton

This book offers deep insight into the craft and practice of modern journalism. It features interviews with 19 leading journalists who bring facts to life in compelling ways, making stories engaging and impactful. It inspires journalists and writers to improve storytelling techniques essential for today’s media landscape.

2. The Power Broker — Robert A. Caro

This is a multi-dimensional portrait of American power and political influence. Through Robert Caro’s detailed biography, readers learn how power is gained, wielded, and its impact on ordinary people. It is a masterclass in political biography, journalism, history, and the nuanced study of power.

3. The Naïve and the Sentimental Novelist — Orhan Pamuk

This book explores the inner world of writing and reading fiction. Orhan Pamuk discusses the relationship between imagination and sensitivity, showing how literature creates alternate worlds for both writers and readers. It offers valuable perspectives for lovers of literature.

4. How Fiction Works — James Wood

James Wood’s book helps readers and writers understand the complexities of narrative art. It examines key story elements like realism, character, description, and point of view, providing a thorough understanding of how fiction is crafted. It’s useful for aspiring writers and serious readers alike.

5. On Writing Well — William Zinsser

This classic guide on nonfiction writing teaches clarity, simplicity, and effectiveness. It shows that good writing comes from clear thinking and offers ways to refine a writer’s voice. It is essential reading for writers of all styles and levels.

6. I Lost It at the Movies — Pauline Kael

Pauline Kael’s critical essays capture the experience of cinema and her personal relationship with film. The book is a deep dive into film critique with cultural and emotional insights, which is important for film lovers and critics.

7. Frank Sinatra Has a Cold — Gay Talese

This groundbreaking piece of journalism broke traditional rules, blending profile and narrative. It reveals Frank Sinatra’s world through a personal and cultural lens and showcases new dimensions in storytelling and journalism.

8. Everybody Loves a Good Drought — P. Sainath

This book highlights rural poverty, drought, and social inequality in India through thorough field reporting. It offers critical insight into social justice and rural development, making it a vital reference for journalists and policymakers.

9. A Collection of Essays — George Orwell

George Orwell’s essays provide sharp and profound analysis on literature, society, and politics. He emphasizes journalistic integrity and authenticity, which remain relevant today. His writing exemplifies thoughtful clarity.

These books offer exceptional perspectives on journalism, storytelling, criticism, and social awareness, making them important reads for serious readers and professionals.

Book Review: Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020 - Arjun Subramaniam

Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020 - Arjun Subramaniam

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ Worth Reading

In his book 'Assignment Colombo', J.N. Dixit argues in favour of India's strategic dilly-dallying, stating that adhering to absolute principles of morality is the safest and most non-controversial stance in foreign relations. This policy, however, rarely serves any purpose in the inherently amoral nature of international relations.  Today, national security and foreign policy of India have gradually represented the departure from the past. The story of evolving Indian stance in geopolitics can be usually understood at the level of the conflicts faced by India, while the primary bulwarks of defense—the role of military —get overlooked. Hence, "Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020" is a worth reading for a gripping exploration of wars and conflicts shedding light on strategies, operational steps, and political consequences. 

The book "Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020" by Arjun Subramaniam takes the story forward from the previous book India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971. The book offers the reader an account of wars, military operations, and security challenges in contemporary India over the past five decades. The book covers in detail on the Doklam standoff, Balakot Strike, Kargil war, Siachen conflict, Naga rebellion, Operation Blue Star, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and India's military action in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Conventional wars have changed, and skirmishes are happening below the threshold of conventional structured war between nation-states. And the rise of non-conventional wars has led to Indian military either dealing with Hybrid war, cyber war, proxy war, border skirmishes, armed militancy, insurgency, and terrorism. 

The reading makes one realize that Indian military has also expanded its strategic horizon while dealing with the modus operandi of non-state actors.  The chapters of the book on India’s involvement with the LTTE in Sri Lanka, during the IPKF mission, makes for an interesting read. It shows how the Indian military faced a daring and locally supported adversary, and how this episode reshaped our military and foreign policy. Another insight from the book was that the absence of any active government machinery during insurgency in Punjab made Operation Bluestar more difficult. And compounded with it was often the fear and stigma of command failure, that prompted military leaders to persist with sub optimal operational plans.

The book features a gripping narrative but becomes dull in some places. These lapses in pacing make certain sections feel tedious, detracting from the overall impact.  Those who support the 'realist' argument of India's emergence as a potential global military power must read this book. The book is an invaluable resource for those interested in military studies, and the intricate interplay between war and political transformation.

In the end author asked for deep introspection within India's strategic community by sharing an old Thucydidian principle called the Melian Dialogue, which emerged during the Peloponnesian War prior to the siege of the island of Melios by Athens, which says: 'The strong will do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.'

Book Review: A Corner of a Foreign Field - Ramachandra Guha

A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport - Ramachandra Guha

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended

Our inability to understand and tell sociological stories is one of the key reasons we are struggling with how to respond to social transitions. Without embedding social narratives, we miss understanding who benefitted, who was left behind, and what kind of society we were building. The idea that we could somehow eliminate casteist mindsets, religious differences, and racist discrimination by ignoring such identity question under the veil of secular cricket leads to formation of a veil of ignorance. 

Social history of Indian cricket suffers from one enormous disadvantage: that we as a people, have criminal indifference to written records. The history of Indian cricket is indeed amazing because it reveals much more than just scores and statistics. It reflects cultural exchanges, colonial legacies, social struggles, and identities across South Asia. The history of India, like that of any other country, has been a story of social inequities, exploitation of the common people, religious conflict, and so on. The history of the cricket in India is no exception to this.  

A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport is a book depicting religious fault lines. A book talking about caste. A book talking about racism. Yet, the book is written for the lover of the game by a writer looking from the perspective of the history, sports, social transformation, and Indian Independence. The book is divided into four chapters—Race, Caste, Religion, and Nation—and features the experiences of the cricketers, politicians, and Maharajas making it an engaging and interesting read. The inherent values of cricket —fair play, competition, and endurance—resonated with the Indians under colonial rule thus attracting broad affection and embedding itself as a part of the national psyche.

The book captures the long journey of cricket in India—from its beginning as a game created by an alliance of imperial and Indian elites to becoming a sport for the masses. The book shows how Indians overcame the deeply rooted caste barriers in society and challenged the British notion of racial superiority in the game of cricket. Cricket tournaments like the Bombay Quadrangular and Bombay Pentangular were initially organized based on religious communities of Hindu, European, Muslim, and Parsees leading to widespread riots and political unrest. The book also ends with the origins of the Ranji Trophy and the formation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Despite attempts to break free from the legacies of their forefathers and religious divisions, Indian history drags our cricketers towards a fate which led them in Independent India, as though along a river's course.

This book introduced me to Palwankar Baloo and his brothers, early Indian cricketers, and shared stories about famous players like C.K. Nayudu, Lala Amarnath, Vijay Hazare, and Vijay Merchant. The book delves us into first Test match of Indian cricket team in England, in 1932 symbolizing both achievement and aspiration for a modern nation. This is a must-read book capturing cricket history of India in an effortless and seamless manner

Book Review: Beyond A Boundary- C.L.R. James

Beyond A Boundary- C.L.R. James

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended

The essence at the core of culture, writes Byung-Chul Han, is ornamentation. Culture sits beyond functionality and usefulness. The ornament dimension, emancipated from any goal or use, is how life insists that it is more than survival. The book was written in an era when British have the illusion of the racial superiority even in the game of cricket while tradition and history of the game were part of the British culture.  

“Time would pass, old empires would fall and new ones take their place, the relations of countries and relations of classes had to change, before I discovered that it is not quality of goods and utility which matter, but movement, not where you are or what you have, but where you have come from, where you are going and the rate at which you are getting there."

This statement from C.L.R. James’s classic book shows role the game of cricket has played in the making of the history of Caribbean society. C.L.R. James, the historian and cricket writer, embarks on a biographical journey from 1910s to 1950s in West Indies, and England to prove the point. He invites us to look closely the complex ties between political struggles of decolonization through cricket and the long process of decolonizing his own mind from the gaze of the western civilization.  

Beyond a Boundary starts by focusing on wonder years of the writer in Trinidad and his observation on the intermingling of the race and class in the local cricket. During his teenage years, James became deeply engrossed in cricket and Literature which allowed him to examine Trinidad’s working class through the lens of sport. 

Two players he often highlighted in this context were Learie Constantine and W.G. Grace to argue that cricket is inseparable from the politics and social structures of its time. The idea of “leaving politics out of sports” is a topic of ongoing debate, but this book makes us aware that the injustice "beyond the boundary" ultimately impacts the cricket. The players are not islands of sportsmanship while being deeply engulfed into societal structures, systemic biases and burden of the history. 

The book also highlights the successful campaign for racial equality in West Indies cricket, including the appointment of Frank Worrell as the first black captain in 1960. Apointment of Frank Worrell as captain for the 1960–61 tour of Australia, West Indies cricket bid farewell to white leadership and entered a new era of black leadership and pride—one that inspired the Caribbean people and united them like never before.

The writer advocates cricket as an art form like Greek literature by observing the game not just as a sport, but as a craft with rhythm, beauty, and a narrative flow. The writer argues in the book that cricket was a form of resistance against colonial oppression, especially as Black players took on leading roles, challenging racial stereotypes and social barriers. 

The writer traveled to England and the exposure felt like awakening to him: Once the veil of the empire drops, he didn’t just “analyze” culture—he saw its webs working through you. From that point, C.L.R. James achieved a mental freedom, not only rejecting conditioning but also recognizing the interconnectedness of imperial power, cricket, culture, and resistance, which shaped his revolutionary outlook and deepened his commitment to black internationalism and Marxist theory.  

Today, C.L.R. James embodies a unique and compelling mixture of identities: a Marxist historian, an anglophile in initial years, a Black intellectual, and a passionate lover of cricket. The book is written through this multi-faceted perspective, that is as much about the identity, and struggle as it is about cricket.

Book Review: Time of Parting - Anton Donchev

Time of Parting - Anton Donchev (Alternate Reading)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended

A nation is shaped by its shared memories. In literature, we can see the elements that make up a collective memory—often rooted in a common pain —that influence national identity. Newly independent countries often seek a fresh start, breaking away from their historical past. Anton Donchev's Time of Parting (Bulgarian: Време разделно, Vreme razdelno) dives deep into a time when a nation, Bulgaria, survived by enduring humiliation under Ottoman rule.

The Balkans, including Bulgaria, were subjected to centuries of Ottoman rule starting in the late 14th century, which brought significant social and religious transformation. Catholic powers (Papacy and Habsburgs) were often perceived as foreign and adversarial.  The Ottoman conquest and the subsequent division between Catholic and Orthodox spheres of influence in the Balkans gave rise to opportunities for Muslims to act as a unifying force in a divided region. While many apologists dispute a direct connection between religious violence and radical Islam, the nuanced history of Bulgarian religious life under Ottoman rule shows that society experienced both pragmatic coexistence and adaptation, as well as periods of institutional discrimination and social unrest. 

Set during the Islamization of Bulgaria in the summer of 1668 particularly in the Rhodope Mountains, the story doesn't claim to be an exact historical record. Instead, it reflects how those events shaped Bulgarian culture and identity. The theme of being forced to choose a side resonated strongly with the dominant ideologies of the polarized world. The novel has sparked ongoing debates about how the Ottoman period and forced religious conversions are viewed in Bulgaria. With the changing political landscape, Time of Parting continues to be a highly discussed and impactful piece of literature.

The book explores a painful choice for a community: whether to hold on to their beliefs and die for them or convert to a foreign religion to stay alive. The narrative is told in parallel by two witnesses: the French nobleman called the Venetian, and the Bulgarian priest Aligorko. This dual narration provides a layered, nuanced view of the cultural, religious, and personal conflicts. As the tale culminates, the relentless campaign of forced Islamization breaks the spirit and unity of the Bulgarian Christian community. This finale reflects the larger historical tragedy of the era — the erasure of cultural heritage through brutal force.The heavy loss of life, culture, and dignity leaves a haunting legacy of division and sorrow.

The movie "Time of Violence" (Bulgarian: Време разделно) released in 1988 is based on the novel "Time of Parting" by Anton Donchev (Антон Дончев). The portrayal of historical events is considered by few as biased leading to debates over historical accuracy. The Hindi book "बेला विदा की" (Bela Vida Ki) is a rendition of "Time of Parting" authored by Vimlesh Kanti Verma and Dheera Verma.

Book Review: India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971 - Arjun Subramaniam

India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971 - Arjun Subramaniam

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ Worth Reading

A new generation of Indians are rediscovering their military history, realizing that the popular narratives often fail to reflect the complexities of the truth. Today, India's military remains resource-constrained, overstretched, and increasingly aware of the dual-front threat posed by China and Pakistan. Its strategy and preparedness are shaped by a mix of historical conflicts, and contemporary geopolitical realities. 

For anyone genuinely interested in understanding the historical wars with our Pakistan and China, "India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971" by Arjun Subramaniam is an indispensable read.  The book offers a compelling examination of India’s military evolution post-independence, with detailed accounts of pivotal wars, including the Indo-Pak Wars (1947-48, 1965, and 1971) and the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Battles into contested regions like Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (referred to as Azad Kashmir by Pakistan), Gilgit-Baltistan, Arunachal Pradesh (claimed by China as South Tibet) are meticulously explored, often accompanied by maps to provide clarity. While the historical narrative may pose a challenge for casual readers, the book is rewarding for those seeking the intricacies of battlefield strategies and political decision-making.

I have few notable observations as a reader:

• The departure of the British left India with inadequately demarcated borders leading to the territorial disputes.
• India has reliance on idealism and restraint that clashed with the pragmatic, force-centric approaches of adversaries like China and Pakistan.
• Unfolding of events in China India 1962 war is tragic tale for the Indians. Tragedy presents situations in which there is a desperate urge to assign blame. In all this chain of events, failure of intelligence and political decision framework hurts most.
• India's limited intelligence-gathering capabilities and the "fog of war" resulted in critical decision-making dilemmas. These inadequacies were evident in moments of crisis, often amplifying the challenges faced during conflicts.
• India captured the strategically vital Haji Pir Pass during the 1965 war but returned it to Pakistan under the Tashkent Agreement, forfeiting a key advantage in controlling infiltration routes into Kashmir.  
• After the Bangladesh Liberation War, India released about 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war without leveraging their return for a resolution on Kashmir or territorial securities, drawing criticism for missing a major bargaining chip.
• Post-1971 victory, India did not negotiate for the transfer of border enclaves or land on Bangladesh’s side that could have reduced the vulnerability of the Siliguri Corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”), leaving the Northeast perpetually exposed. The Siliguri Corridor remains at risk due to inadequate geopolitical leverage post-1971 and greater China-Bangladesh collaboration.

Subramaniam also highlights a hard-learned lesson for India: in international relations, realism often trumps idealism. It took nearly 25 years for Indian leadership to move beyond the non-violent and nonaligned ideals of the independence movement and adopt force as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. This shift is at the heart of India's modern military doctrine, making the book an essential resource for understanding the evolution of its strategic mindset.

Books on Ideas That Will Make You Smarter — Curated from The Seen and the Unseen Podcast

"The Seen and the Unseen" is India's premier long-form podcast hosted by Amit Varma. The podcast, which has been running since 2017, features long-form conversations with intellectuals, writers, economists, historians, and thought leaders from India and around the world. 

I am only sharing the books recommended grouped into broad thematic categories that align with traditional library and academic classification systems in philosophy, psychology, ethics, and literature:

Psychology and Cognitive Science

1. The Elephant in the Brain — Kevin Simler & Robin Hanson
2. Human: The Science Behind What Makes Your Brain Unique — Michael S. Gazzaniga
3. Thinking, Fast and Slow — Daniel Kahneman

Ethics, Morality, and Philosophy of Goodness

1. The Moral Arc: How Science Makes Us Better People — Michael Shermer
2. Better Never to Have Been — David Benatar
3. The Difficulty of Being Good — Gurcharan Das
4. The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress — Peter Singer
5. On Bullshit — Harry Frankfurt

Philosophy and Intellectual History

1. Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud — Peter Watson
2. The Hedgehog and the Fox — Isaiah Berlin
3. The Open Society and Its Enemies — Karl Popper
4. The Logic of Scientific Discovery — Karl Popper
5. History Of Western Philosophy — Bertrand Russell
6. History of European Morals — W. E. H. Lecky

Sociology, Social Psychology, and Mass Behavior

1. Crowds and Power — Elias Canetti
2. The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind — Gustave Le Bon
3. The Argumentative Indian — Amartya Sen

Literary Criticism and Classics

1. Why Read the Classics? — Italo Calvino
2. Testaments Betrayed — Milan Kundera
3. Beyond Words: Philosophy, Fiction, and the Unsayable — Timothy Cleveland