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.'