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Writing
the history of history
The writer
quickly takes us through the standard pathways of history as they were
evolving in America, Europe and England. Public enthusiasm for history
happened much later
Reviewed by M Rajiv Lochan
Framing History: Context and perspectives
By Bhupendra Yadav. Publications Division, Government of India, New
Delhi. Pages 444, Rs 260.
Finally,
a book from India that is readable, informative and provides one of
the most comprehensive understandings of the art and craft of history
and the changes therein.
tete-a-tete
In a
class of his own
Nonika Singh
Without
a doubt, Piysuh Mishra
belongs to that rare breed of men and artists the likes of which you
encounter only once in a while. So you and me might be awestruck by
the versatility of this actor, singer, lyricist, music director and
writer (all rolled into one), he doesn’t think he is doing anything
remarkable or special.
Brilliant
take on evolution of ethics
Reviewed by B. L. Chakoo
Global Ethics: An Introduction
By Heather Widdows, Acumen Publishing, Durham, 2011. Pages 294. Price
not mentioned.
Global
ethics is an interesting and fast-emerging field of study.
Scholars of global ethics come from many and several different
backgrounds, including politics, public policy, religion, law,
science, international development and sociology. They also come from
policy-making and governance communities and from activist and NGO
groups. Heather Widdows, on the contrary, is professor of global
ethics in the Department of Philosophy at the University of
Birmingham, and is also one of the lead editors of the Journal of
Global Ethics.
Capturing
the spirit of the age
Reviewed by Aradhika
Sharma
India Rising: Tales from Changing Nation
By Oliver Balch. Faber and Faber. Pages 330. UK 4.99
India,
as Indians articulate it. Oliver Balch, in his book, has interviewed a
myriad people and allowed Indians the voice to tell it like it is,
without trying to make them speak in his voice or to try and mould the
interviewees to justify what he believes is true. Thus, there are
several voices speaking up, many names that are familiar to us as well
as men and women on the road, in call centers, on university campuses,
in offices, in counseling offices — all communicating their truths;
talking about what is the reality for them. Together, they form not a
clamour, but a picture of what India is all about. Like a jigsaw
puzzle coming together, Balch puts together the pieces and comes up
with his conclusion: India Rising.
All
work, no play makes world poorer
How Much Is Enough? The
Love of Money, and the Case for a Good Life
By Robert Skidelsky & Edward Skidelsky. Allen Lane £20
A
colonel, asked why Indonesia's army was loyal to the corrupt
Suharto regime for 30 years, only to turn against him in the dying
days, explained it simply. During much of Suharto's rule, families
would see their meagre bowls of rice increase by a few grains every
week, just enough for contentment. But when the amount of rice
diminished, they looked up from their bowls and saw the regime for
what it was: corrupt and self-serving. The army followed the people
and Suharto was overthrown.
Indian
kidlit: Miles to go
Vibha Sharma
Raise
your hands if you or your young readers have read any of these
— Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, Enid Blyton, J.K. Rowling, Nancy Drew and
now raise once more if it is true for these names too — R.K.Narayan,
Ruskin Bond, Satyajit Ray, Anushka Ravishankar. Oh well, no surprises
there, while foreign authors are a rage among tender age readers, it
seems not much chance has been given to our own homegrown authors. Is
it because a famous Hindi saying is at play, Ghar ki murgi daal
baraabar? May be yes, may be not.
Consummate
playwright
Reviewed by Aditi Garg
Three Plays
By Gurcharan Das. Penguin Books. Pages 206. Rs 250
While
trends in the present keep changing, history never goes out of
fashion. There is always something to be learnt and something new to
be discovered. Despite being old, history can always be viewed with a
fresh perspective, giving it a new meaning. The magic of wonderful
story telling is undermined only by the brazenness of playwriting. To
present a historical feat as a play, happening spontaneously and now,
requires indepth knowledge of the subject and mastery over the medium.
Gore
has gone, we need ‘feud’ good men!
John Walsh
With
the death of Gore Vidal, US literature loses a master of
contempt. With his Roman-Senator looks and his curled-lip disdain for
lesser mortals, put-downs were the bulk of his discourse. He said the
three saddest words in the English language were, "Joyce Carol
Oates". He remarked that Andy Warhol was "the only genius I
know of with an IQ of 60." (he later revised this to 20.) He was
even rude about English cities. Standing in a rainy Midlands literary
festival he once told an interviewer, with heavy sarcasm: "I
count a year wasted that does not include a visit to..." (pause)
"Bir-ming-ham." His feuds were phenomenal. He fell out with
Robert Kennedy after a drunken argument at a party and attacked the
whole Kennedy family in print.
short
takes
Terrorism,
underworld and journalism
Reviewed by Randeep Wadehra
The Newsroom Mafia
By Oswald Pereira Grey Oak/Westland. Pages 259. Rs 245
A
man of humble origins, Narayan Swamy takes to petty crime in
Mumbai. When he slays a Mumbai slum dada he sets off on the
path to becoming a stereotypical, powerful underworld don whose
connections include journalists, policemen and persons in power. He
builds an empire that encompasses a wide range of business interests,
but nurtures a hidden desire for respectability in the society. He
tries his hand at philanthropy but with limited results. Soon, with
the help of a couple of journalists and financial experts, he sets up
an investment institution, which becomes a conduit for money
laundering. He runs his empire ruthlessly and appears invincible.
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