Book Review: Ali Baba: The House that Jack Ma Built by Duncan Clark

Duncan Clark provides an account of the world of Jack Ma, one of the leading figures in the present economy of China. Jack Ma built one of the largest companies of the world. An American tourist give him the name 'Jack.' His original name is Ma Yun.

Jack took the Gaokao. In China it is seen as the most challenging exam in which high school students appear for a merit based exam for higher education. Jack badly failed in the exam. scoring 1/120 in math. In the early phase of his career Jack listed different positions on several versions of business cards (p. 70-71). I personally find this a very unethical act.

Jack says: " Today is brutal, tomorrow is more brutal, but the day after tomorrow is beautiful" (p. 120). Clark explains Jack's marketing techniques, his personality and how he keeps his staff involved at various levels. To keep up the morale, the staff were involved in playing video games, coding, exercises and handstands. Jack says that 'if you use money to solve problems, why on earth would the world need businessmen anymore" (p. 176). Jack says that he has three principles of doing things: first,  100 percent legal; second, 100 percent transparent; third, build the company sustainably and healthily. 

Writing about business in China, the author argues that 'for Alibaba, and any other private company, the Chinese government itself is a multiheaded hydra of agencies, often competing with one another for influence, licensing fees; or other forms of rent to justify their existence, often lacking sufficient central government support to finance their operations (p. 238). During a IPO show Alibaba focused on three central growth drivers for the future which includes 'cloud computing/Big Data; expansion into rural markets; and globalization/cross-border trade (p. 250). 

When in the United States of America, Jack was often asked 'When are you coming to invade America?' Why do they perceive him as an invader? A question- what does free market preach?

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Book Review: Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia by S. Hussain Zaidi

In Dongri to Dubai, Zaidi has made a commendable effort in engaging the reader in very chapter of the book. The book presents numerous stories beautifully weaved by the author. It primarily focuses on the rise of Dawood Ibrahim. Starting from his childhood it shows how Dawood entered the world of crime. Dawood loved cricket. He dropped out of school when he was only ten (p. 51). When Dawood gained power he used the cops to decimate his rivals.

Zaidi also writes about how the under world established connections with Bollywood, drugs, smuggling, Bollywood actors and Ghutka business. He also writes how Dawood shifted his business to different countries and how he maintained his relations. Zaidi also brings out the stories of Haji Mastan, Karim Lala, Rajans, Chota Shakeel, Abu Salem, Shoaib and Bholoo.

Anyone reading the book explores how personal relations, poverty, ideals, friends and hunger for power contribute to the life of a boy who lived in Dongri and who later establishes an illegal empire, managed from Dubai. 

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Book Review: Xi Jinping's Governance and the Future of China by Zhou Xinmin

In this book review I cover some of the points which I find interesting. As soon as Xi took office he showed a strong commitment to solve the fundamental problems of China. Zhou, the author of this book states that the unity of knowledge and practice is a cornerstone of the Marxist theory of knowledge- a basic principle and methodology of dialectical materialism.  He believes that Xi Jinping has put emphasis on practice, stressing theoretical innovation to guide practice, and develop a cycle of practice and knowledge (p. 91).

President Xi places special emphasis on people. Xi says that 'only the people can judge whether they are living a life of prosperity' (p.100). Further in the book the qualities of great leaders are mentioned. Zhou Xinmin says that great leaders are always able to make judgments based on unique thinking, and take resolute action to solve problems. They are also masters at spotting bad tendencies, summarizing lessons and discovering patterns, and addressing changing times and upcoming trends. For the, strategic thinking and the art of wisdom are equally important (p.111). 

Zhou often mentions Mao's leadership qualities. He also states that Mao lost six family members during the people's liberation and one son during the Korean War (p. 117). Zhou refers to Henry Kissinger's thought on Xin. Kissinger considers Xin a person who 'conveys a strong will and capabilities with his every move (p. 121). Zhou considers Xi a strategic leader who emphasizes driving domestic reform through opening up, actively engaging in global governance and the world economy, developing China by integrating with the world, gaining an objective and clear understanding of China's problems, paying equal attention to developed and less developed areas, to urban areas and rural areas, and to GDP and the quality of life, and ensuring prosperity for all Chinese The emphasis on research-based methods has enabled Xi to practice the art of governance with a focus on key problems (p. 124).

Xi learned five things from his father, which includes: first- self-cultivation, second- devotion to work, third- belief and commitment, fourth- patriotism and fifth- simple living (p. 149). Xi faced a lot of hardships in his childhood and because of that he developed a bond with people. His career is based on years of work experience at various positions which gave him a solid ground for practicing governance and prepared him for the future.

This book brings out the core areas of President Xi's governance philosophy. When I started reading this book I was very excited, but after reading some pages I realized that much of the content in the book was repeated. I think it seems more like a manifesto for propaganda purposes and does not qualify as a serious academic work. The book also does not provide a very deep understanding of the Chinese leader and his policies. It is a simple narration.

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Book Review: MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed Bin Salman by Ben Hubbard

In mid 1700s one of the ancestors of MBS named Mohammed Ibn Saud made the first attempt to create a Saudi proto-state around his native village of Diriyah. Mohammed got an edge by forming an alliance with the fundamentalist cleric named Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdul-Wahab (p. 5). The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was declared in 1932 and the discovery of oil took place in 1938.

When MBS was growing up he saw who mattered in which tribe and the positions of different clerics. MBS studied Law at King Saud University. He did not have a foreign degree and did not live a very lavish life like other members of his extended family. Abdul Aziz was MBS's grandfather. 

During his rise to power MBS neutralized the clerics with a single royal decree (p. 63). When Obama visited KSA, the monarch (MBN) did not visit him. Instead, the Governor of Riyadh was chosen. Writing about his conduct the author states that MBS was 45 minutes late for his meeting with Ban Ki Moon (p. 104).  The crown prince developed close relations with the Trump family. An interesting detail revealed in the book is that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner was accepted into Harvard because his father had pledged 2.5 million dollars to the university (p. 108).

Hubbard states that MBS's influence can be estimated by the fact that events such as the Yemen intervention, the arrest campaigns, the forced resignation of Saad Hariri and the Ritz crackdown could not affect how Americans viewed him (p. 222). The author is of the view that MBS views three threats to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. First, jihadists of Al Qaeda and the Islamic state, second Muslim Brotherhood and the third one was Iran (p. 223). The writer of this book also discusses the rifts between Khashoggi and MBS. He stresses that Khashoggi argued that democracy would improve governance and the crown prince MBS needed check on his powers (p. 239). 

According to the author, MBS eliminated his rivals, extended his control over the state and became the undisputed leader of the Saudi state at a young age. His influence would stay there in the coming decades. Hubbard stresses that he was hard-working, more strategic, more willing to let go traditions and brutal- in short a true Machiavellian prince (p. 277). 

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Book Review: The Luminous Life of Rajiv Gandhi (Edited by Shyam Dua)

Rajiv Gandhi was the grandson of Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Rajiv's father was Feroze Gandhi and his mother was Indira. Both of them moved to New Delhi from Lucknow. 

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984. To avoid being jailed for corrupt election practices in June 1975, she had declared a state of emergency and brought democracy to a halt. She launched a crackdown on civil liberties and political opposition. She served as the PM of India from January 19, 1966 to March 24, 1977 and from January 14. 1980 until her death. Indira's emergency ruled lasted nineteen months. Sikh alienation was deep and had dramatic consequences: on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, one of whom was fatally shot and the other subsequently (1988) sentences to death by hanging (p. 75).

Rajiv attended Trinity Collège in Cambridge and later shifted to Imperial College in London. Rajiv was not interested in philosophy, politics of history. He was more interested in science and engineering. His greatest passion was flying. His brother Sanjay died in a plane crash in 1980 and because of that he reluctantly joined politics. Collaboration with the United States and several European governments and corporations brought more investment in research in electronics and computer software (p. 21). Rajiv was assassinated in 1991 by Tamil Tiger militants using a bomb hidden in a garland of flowers.

Rajiv was survived by his wife and two children. Rajiv's wife Sonia (born near Turin in Italy) is said to have stated that she would have rather seen her children beg than enter politics (p.64). Today we can see Rajiv and Sonia's son Rahul playing a very important part in the electoral politics of India.

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Book Review: Beyond the Gorges of the Indus: Archaeology before Excavation by Karl Jettmar

Karl Jettmar retired from the University of Heidelberg in 1986. He was an expert in the field of Central Asian Anthropology, archaeology, and art history. This book not only bring out the ancient history of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, but it also an appeal for the conduct of archaeological excavations. Between 1954 and 1989, various expeditions to the Trans-Himalayan zone allowed Jettmar to acquire unique and intimate knowledge regarding the area. During one of the journeys Rhabar Hassan was the guide and interpreter (p. 102).

Karl Jettmar states that the women in Darel were confined to their houses, but in Tangir they participated  working in the fields (p. 52). The author also mentions about the presence of an Assistant Political Agent residing in Tangir/Darel (p. 53). In these valleys a horse and a gun distinguished a wealthy and an underprivileged person. In Darel during weddings some dances were shared by men and women (p. 62). Jettmar writes that a British force had succeeded in conquering Chilas and defended it against the uprising Kohistanis. He stresses that the people of Astore were eager to instigate the British into such an intervention, because this finally stopped the raids by the Chilasis (p. 47).

Gilgit Valley was conquered three times by the rulers of Baltistan (p. 122). Under Dadi Juvari three notables from Darel built long canals in Gilgit (p. 161). The author states that in 1841 when a landslide from the Nanga Parbat had dammed the river and created a lake which extended back over 55 km and when the dam broke the water level at Attock caused a rise of 80 feet (p. 84).

Further in the book there is mention of the discovery of Gilgit Manuscripts. Gilgit Manuscripts represent the Buddhist and pre-Tibetan period of Baltistan up to the middle of the 8th century A.D (P. 186). Other themes under discussion include the illicit digging at Dasht-i-Taus, Ali Ahmad Jan (SSP Gilgit Police) order of transporting part of a boulder in his private house, stupa carvings near Chaprote, Turk tribes, gold washing, Tarkhane dynasty in Gilgit,  remains of a castle in Naupur, Shastri's visit to Gilgit and migrations in Baltistan (p. 183).

Jettmar makes interesting revelations when he writes similar rituals of brining sexual fulfillment and children to those women who had problems in Dardistan. Jettmar admits that he got more concise descriptions from Bubur in Punyal (p. 198). In the olden days in the Haramosh valley, in the pul-festival similar rights and duties were given to the character as given to the Budalak in Kalash. 

Jettmar mentions that Fussman considered the Sakas as the Iranian nomads of Central Asia (p. 97). Jettmar says that the Shin people were the last wave of immigrants (p. 107). The author states that 560 of all the Middle Iranian inscriptions were found at one site alone at Shatial Bridge (p. 111).

In this work the reader gets an interesting perspective into the social conditions of Baltistan, Tangir and Darel. The ancient trading networks, dynasties, rock arts and inscriptions are also discussed in detail. I started reading this book in 2020 and discontinued after reading less than a hundred pages. Today on the 10th of December 2023 I finish reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

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Book Review: Letters by Maxim Gorky

Maxim Gorky, one the famous Russian writers left around 20,000 letters for his readers. 13,000 of which were written to him only by Soviet writers. This book presents more than 100 letters of Gorky written between 1889 and 1936. It also includes material which Soviet publishers have issued few years before the publication of the book. Various aspects of life in Russia, Europe and America of the first three decades of the twentieth century are covered in the book. 

Gorky's letters to writers such as Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells and Stefan Zweig are included in the book. Other correspondences with Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekov and V. I. Lenin are also part of the book. I would not quote from the letters as it would be unfair with the writer. I recommend the readers to read all the letters in great details and explore content and the values of the letters themselves.

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