Re: The Books Thread (non-fiction) 1. 1971: A global history of the creation of Bangladesh by Srinath Raghvan
A fascinating account of the history of the creation of Bangladesh. The author very neatly sews in the global narrative which led to this pivotal change in South Asia. The level of research is impressive, which can be seen from the author's confidence in trying to shed light on a number of counterfactual situations related to the crisis. The role of global hegemons like the US, USSR, and China is well played in this event.
A good read if you are interested in the history of the subcontinent. 2. The dirt on clean: An Unsanitized History by Katherine Ashenburg
A decent book on an interesting topic. The history of cleanliness is captivating if we look at it from today's standards. The author also explains how the excessive focus on cleanliness, guided by the power of advertising, has taken us away from our natural standards.
However, the author explores the subject from inherently western eyes (in her defense, she admits to this). There is no focus on the way eastern cultures have dwelled and responded on the subject. It would have been interesting if there was a comprehensive dealing of the topic. 3. Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen
A thoroughly researched book detailing the way diseases have been able to do a crossover. The book made me think about the way we interact with animals and how that needs to change. Another point is that the fall in biodiversity leads to an increase in such zoonotic crossovers, reiterating the much-related mantra about respecting nature. 4. Pandemic: Tracking Contagions by Sonia Shah
What a fascinating book.
I started reading this book during the ongoing "Great Lockdown" of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the curiosity to make better sense of things going on in the world. But I was so wrong. I should have read this book a long time ago.
The author beautifully explains the way microbes have come to rule over lives. Wrong! While the prevalent notion is that the microbes have recently started playing an important role in our lives, the fact is that the microbes have always had played a pivotal role in the lives of homo sapiens. Right from our evolution, to our bodily mechanisms, our food habits, our cultural habits, as well as our political outlook, xenophobic tendencies, etc. Even the way we reproduce (Sexually, and not by cloning ourselves) and the inevitability of death, microbes have played a more important role than we could have ever imagined.
The role of personal and societal hygiene, food habits, and the inability of the old school of medicine (Hipprocatic school) and their role in aiding/mitigating the disease spread have been lucidly explained in the book. The role of WHO has been rightly questioned (as seen clearly by their response to the Coronavirus), and so has been the response of various governments to the WHO's disease surveillance mechanism (Italy's secret cholera epidemic, India's response to NDM-1).
The Logic of pandemics is probably the most important chapter I have read in my life. It explains the role of microbes and their ferocious, destructive power. It provides a glimpse of the role of sexual reproduction and death in our lives. It explains the role of evolution and the role these microbes have played in them.
I will recommend this book to everyone. 5. India, Pakistan, and the Secret Jihad by Praveen Swami
The book presents the events in a very black and white style. The author tries to bring some buzz into the narrative but fails to do so. The book does present a clear understanding of the events in Kashmir but it does not explain the narrative in a comprehensive manner. The role of the political process, sectarian fault lines, geographical advantages, international events, etc. are not covered.
In short, the book expounds the terrorism in Kashmir from a narrow vantage point. 6. The 9/11 Wars by Jason Burke
The book authors a different viewpoint about the events post 9/11, and tried to present them in a broader narrative. It explains the difference between the zealous narrative fed by the mainstream media and the ground reality. How various factors led to radicalization and it is a mix of multiple factors like local issues, ethnic fault lines, religious outlook, lack of proper education, corruption. It also highlights how one size fits all approach will not work to counter such radicalization.
The thinking that western values of democracy, liberty, equality, secularism, etc. will be accepted across the globe, especially if they are forced from the top, is a fallacy. The lack of a ground-level approach to development and cooperation is the prime reason for the failure of the 9/11 wars to fundamentally change the situation. The hard-hitting approach of President Bush was as stupid as the religious fanatics of the terrorists. They will never achieve the objectives they wanted to.
What is not discussed in the book is the fundamental role of Islam and its role in the radicalization of people. The author generally mentions that the people in the Middle East hate western values, hate America, hate secularism, etc. but no effort is made to understand why all these values flow from the teachings of Islam (which might be distorted by radical mullahs with the support of the government like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan). It is these events that provide fodder to the terrorist churning factories who are adept at exploiting the ethnic divisions, lack of purpose, unemployment, sexual frustrations, and so on.
Until a fundamental change is made in the way Quranic values are being interpreted by mullahs around the world, with the active support of the government, terrorism will keep on rising again and again. The lack of local government, promoting education are a must to counter this trend. The rise of ISIS explains how the 9/11 wars have merely subdued the trend, not curved it.
The role is Pakistan and KSA needs to be fundamentally looked at by the world to counter-terrorism. One provided the foot soldiers and the other provides the funding.
The book has very sensible arguments about the role of zealot ideology and the role of positive forces. The minuscule number of radicalized Muslims in Europe is a testament to this trend.
Overall, this is a good book as it tries to look at the events from a unique point of view. 7. Mythos: The Greek Myth Retold by Stephen Fry
A fascinating book. It vividly describes the Greek mythology. The book is not a dull representation of mythology. The author has dealt with the subject in quite a humourful manner, highlighting the events in a joyful manner.
If one is interested in such subjects, this is the book to start. 8. Inside the Kingdom by Robert Lacy
Highly entertaining book. The history is presented in such a manner that it zooms past the reader as a thriller. The gripping context of the grand design, interspersed with the multiplicity of individual stories keeps the reader woven into the narrative. 9. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
A fascinating, vivid, and humorous account of the author's stay at the Corfu island. The books made me laugh many times, and the bits about animal behavior has instilled a sense of curiosity and respect for the animal world. This book, ideally, should be a must-read for children in schools.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. 10. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
A nice read, the myths sail through as fascinatingly interwoven stories. It is like watching a movie.
The only downside is that the book is a little short on details. It could have been a bit longer, which would have made it much more enjoyable.
Last edited by Aditya : 21st September 2020 at 21:32.
Reason: As requested
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