Book Review: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan by Begum Naz

Syed Ahmad Khan's (SAK) grandfather had migrated from Herat. Syed was born in October 1817 to Mir Muttaqi. He was sent to a maktab. From his father he learnt archery and swimming. Khan's mother told him: 'Life is full of vicissitudes you must only form such habits as you can always live with' (p. 9).

Khan went to England where he visited Cambridge and studied the education system in the university.  Syed was an advocate of advanced scientific education. He was very practical and realistic. The author of this book states that Khan 'was not a preacher by vocation but by compulsion of circumstances, hence it would be safer not to treat this aspect of his personality further' (p. 48). Naz furthers stresses that Khan's greatest work was to instill lost confidence in the hearts of the Muslims and to open before them fresh alternative avenues and pathways which alone could relieve them from their state of utter hopelessness and despair (p. 56).

Khan was elected the honorary fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of London in 1864 (p. 10). The British took formal permission from Mughal Emperor to administer Bengal and Bihar during the time of Shah Alam (p. 11). There is an incident of the murder of a person named Nana by the English officer Saunders. This officer chopped Nana's nose, ears, fingers and toes (p. 14).

The role of missionaries, British plunder during the 1857 revolt, realism of SSAK and his publications are also explained in the book.

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Book Review: Pakistan and the Bomb: Public Opinion and Nuclear Options (Edited by Samina Ahmed and David Cortright)

Pakistan and the Bomb presents one of the most thorough surveys of Pakistani public opinion on nuclear policy. It examines the main factors that brought a nuclear arms race in South Asia. One of the perspectives in the book is that the majority of the Pakistani elite support their country's official stance of keeping the nuclear option open. Fear of an attack from India is the central factor behind the support for the nuclear option.

Pakistan's nuclear program gradually evolved during 1960s (p. 9). The nuclear postures of India and Pakistan have gone from calculated ambiguity to overt weaponization. In 1976 Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was dispatched to Islamabad and later to Paris in a bid to halt the reprocessing deal (p. 34). Pakistan's journey to nuclear weapons capability, the three wars of Pakistan, troubled relationship with USA, China's role, and budget allocation for the military are also discussed in the book. The book presents the reader with different perspectives on nuclear policy choices, public opinion poll, and offers a new vision which can lead to a more nuclear weapons'-free future.

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Book Review: Lahore: A Sentimental Journey by Pran Nevile

First published in 1933, Lahore: A Sentimental Journey is a tribute by Pran Nevile to his city of birth of Lahore. This interesting book covers his early childhood in Lahore, his time at Government College Lahore, festivals, cinema, time with his friends and the glamour in the city of Lahore. The author also writes about other themes including pathshala (teaching houses), fruits, film censor boards, clothing, fashion, fraudsters of Lahore, doctors, Lahoria's love for ghee, food, nepotism in Government College Lahore, annual jalsa of Arya Samaj and Rang Mahal School.

Pran Nevile writes that the Sikh rulers converted Badshahi mosque into a workshop (xviii). Nevile remembers Nehru passing through Anarkali. He says that Lahorias aped the Sahibs (p. 5). He remembers the pathans as moneylenders (p. 11). During the Besakhi festival in Lahore thousands of people took bath in the Ravi river (p. 23). Nevile also writes that the kite flying went from China to Europe, through India (p. 28). Tea was yet to gain a foothold and it was promoted in Lahore in the 1930s (p. 134). An old Punjabi saying is: 'Eat what appeals to you and wear what appeals to the people.'

The author himself grew up in Sutar Mandi in todays old Lahore. Some of the interesting observations of the author are that early marriage was the established custom in Punjab until the 1920s (p. 64). During the 1930s the author noticed that ghagris gave way to Shalwar suits and saris (p. 81). Even during the summer months the author and his friends would wear cotton or silk suits (p. 154). Some doctors would travel to Lahore from Amritsar twice a week to attend patients (p. 120).

Other interesting themes covered in the book include gatka instructor at Government College, swimming, rowing, King's Commissioned Officer, hierarchy within the bureaucracy, temporary government officials, refence culture, salaries of VCOs and KCOs, new rich class of contractors,  emergency wallahs as brown sahibs, a large majority of India army being Punjabi and the opening of the Wagah border in the 1950s for a  cricket match.

I find this account very interesting and reader friendly!

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Book Review: The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories by Anton Chekhov (Translated by Constance Garnett)

This volume contains nine amazing short stories.  It touches on the themes of hope, despair, married life, choice, love, ego, time, happiness, life and freedom. The short stories include the Lady with the Dog, A Doctor's Visit, An Upheaval, Ionitch, The Head of the Family, The Black Monk, Volodya, An Anonymous Story and The Husband.

Chekov writes (from In The Lady with the Dog): " Useless pursuits and conversations always about the same things absorb the better part of one's time, the better part of one's strength, and in the end there is left a life groveling and curtailed, worthless and trivial, and there is no escaping or getting away from it- just as though one were in a madhouse or a prison" (p. 9).

Chekov was born in 1860 in Russia and died in 1904 in a German town. I think Anton Chekov is one of the greatest short story writers of the world. People reading him in Russian are very lucky.

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Book Review: Fidel Castro: Nothing Can Stop the Course of History (Interview by Jeffrey M. Elliot and Mervyn M. Dymally)

This detailed book covers a wide-range interview of the Cuban President Fidel Castro- the David who challenged the goliath. Some of the major themes discussed in the book are U.S-Cuba Relations, Reagan's foreign policy, the New International Economic Order, Politics in Latin America, Cuba's relations with African countries, arms race, political changes in Afghanistan and the economic blockade of Cuba by USA.

Castro believes that Ho Chin Minh and Lenin are great leaders. He also says that Prophet Muhammad and Christ are great leaders (p. 30-31). Castro does not approve of reactionary leaders such as Hitler. He furthers mentions that in the West there is a tendency to view leader of any third world country as chieftain (p. 38).

Fidel Castro says that Americans have an antisocialist, anti-revolutionary and anticommunist view (p. 57). He also adds that the people of the United States are some of the worst-informed people in the world (p. 58). Fidel Castro says that no one respects those he buys. He criticizes the IMF for causing havoc. He says that the US opposed all sanctions against the South African regime (p. 172). Cuba sent forces to Angola, so that they could fight against South Africa which invaded Angola. Further in the book, Castro also talks about the atrocities committed against the African countries, white supremacy, literature, work and sports.

I think the book is very important in understanding the mind and politics of the man who ruled Cuba for a very long time.

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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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