MY FAVOURITES OF 2018
GANDHI 1914-1948: The Years That Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha
A magisterial work describing the final threeand-a-half decades in the career of the saintly nationalist hero and Father of Our Nation, marked by Guha’s command of detail and fluent prose.
OPEN EMBRACE: IndiaUS Ties in the Age of Modi and Trump by Varghese K. George
A superb analysis of the state of Indo-US relations in the Modi-Trump era, with a lucid explication of the Hindutva Strategic Doctrine and detailed discussions of Indian and US policy differences on China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Marked by meticulous research, conscientious reporting and lucid commentary, this is a highly readable book that should be required reading for anyone who seeks to go beyond the headlines. A triumph.
REBEL SULTANS: The Deccan from Khilji to Shivaji by Manu S. Pillai
A delightfully written history of the Deccan, masterfully synthesising centuries of syncretism and conflict, full of characters as memorable as any you will find in a novel. Pillai’s mastery of facts and ability to bring obscure episodes of history to light mark him as a popular historian without parallel.
On my reading list MODERN SOUTH INDIA by Rajmohan Gandhi
My first read for 2019 promises to be a broad, humane and wise sweeping study of a region long neglected in most accounts of Indian history. —Shashi Tharoor is the author of The Paradoxical Prime Minister
A RURAL MANIFESTO by Feroze Varun Gandhi
This 848-page tome on what ails the rural economy must rank as one of the most deeply researched, lucidly written investigation on this subject. The author goes beyond merely highlighting what is wrong and elaborates upon what needs to be done. A must read, especially for policymakers in the government.
21 LESSONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY by Yuval Noah Harari
Harari examines some of the most urgent issues of the 21st century and discusses how we can protect ourselves from dangers as varied as nuclear war, ecological cataclysm, and technological disruptions, including the advent of artificial intelligence.
INTERTWINED LIVES by Jairam Ramesh
This is a definitive biography of arguably India’s most refined and powerful civil servant, P.N. Haksar. Jairam has dived into rich archival material to reconstruct a pivotal era of our recent history,
I always have this feeling that I should have read many more books, but my favourites for 2018 are...
including shedding light on the persona of Indira Gandhi, Haksar’s boss and mentor. A must-read for those who wish to understand what goes on in the corridors of power behind the arc lights.
SHADES OF SAFFRON: FROM VAJPAYEE TO MODI by Saba Naqvi
For those who want to understand the rise of the BJP, and of the working of its think tank, the RSS, this is the book to read. Using personal accounts of key events and peppering her narrative with anecdotes, Saba profiles how the BJP has charted the journey from coalition politics to singleparty hegemony, focusing on two key figures, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.
EHSAS-O-IZHAR by Dr Ashwini Kumar
Through this anthology of some of the finest Urdu verse, the former Union law minister displays his deep love and knowledge of the language. The verses are presented in Devanagari, with meanings provided, and include the works of almost every well known Urdu poet, from Mir and Ghalib to Ali Sardar Jafri and Sahir Ludhianvi. A book not to be missed by lovers of Urdu poetry.