Book Reviews - Joni Hillman

Indian Classics and Changing the world by Suhrid & Joni

Shashi Tharoor: The Great Indian Novel

This novel compares the story of the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata with that of twentieth century Indian history. Six times the size of the Bible, the original Mahabharata is acknowledged as the world’s longest book, over two thousand years old. Its story has been passed down through generations, its legends have captivated children and its teachings have inspired elders. In recent years it has also been released in the form of comic books and a television series. So, Tharoor’s Great Indian Novel makes controversial, reading.

All the influential people of twentieth century India (Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, Indira Gandhi to name but a few) have been subtly re-cast as characters of the Mahabharata. Part of the fun is to work out who is who, as the story unfolds. As the Mahabharata is a story of good versus evil some extremely respected public figures have been controversially cast on the evil side. Those who grew up with the story of the Mahabharata will relish this book. If you didn’t, this is an opportunity not to be missed. With some background reading and television, you can gain insight enough to enjoy the Indian humour and subtle political criticism.

M.K. Gandhi: An Autobiography - The Story of my Experiments with Truth

Mahatma Gandhi is arguably one of the most influential and respected figures in modern history. Biographies, documentaries and films have portrayed him. But this book is his own and offers a unique insight into his mind and soul. He humbly talks of the experiences that have shaped his thinking, where he has gone wrong and the lessons he has learnt.

Readers must be indulgent: it was writen in the mid 1920s, before the freedom struggle, so much of Gandhi’s significant work is not included. Furhtermore, the original was written in Gujarati and a lot of charm has been lost in the English translation, which is rather rigid and text-book like.

Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins: Freedom at Midnight

This book gives an account of the events that led to Independence, the repercussions of Partition, the causes behind the Kashmir problem, and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It is narrated like a novel, with well developed characters it is a truly absorbing read.

Incredible ground is covered: personal, one to one meetings between important political leaders, accounts of the plans for Gandhi’s assassination and the horrors that took place during Partition.

The Author carried out extensive interviews with Lord Mountbatten, Viceroy of India at the time, producing a somewhat biased account. Mountbatten is portrayed as a near flawless man who was reluctantly given the mpossible task of controlling millions ofunruly Indians on the brink of a civil war. Nonetheless, a must read.

Jessica Williams: 50 Facts That Should Change the World. Icon Books, £9.99

There’s nothing quite like a good statistic or strange fact to get people to come round to your point of view.

Roll up Jessica Williams, who has collected a series of seemingly random facts and written a helpful introduction to the issues raised by each of the alarming statis

tics. Williams’ aim is simple – each of the fifty facts can change the way we think, which is consequential because “when it comes to changing the world, that’s the most important step we can take.” I like this woman, she speaks sense. There is no high-fallutin’ jargon that no one understands and is interesting for ignoramuses and those already interested in healing the world and making it a better place alike.

And, despite the facts appearing unrelated, they can link together quite nicely into a foolproof framework for change. Having an ‘ugly’ day? News that 13.2 million Americans had cosmetic surgery in 2001 will surely convince you that your bum is fine, particularly when every day, one in five people in the world goes hungry (that’s 800 million people on a forced diet).

And it’s not just the USA that comes under fire. Every cow in the EU gets $2.50 in subsidies every day, with Japanese bovines even better off with $7.50. Given that one in five people in our world to live (if that’s the right word) on less than $1 a da, you’d be hard pressed not to conclude that something has gone very wrong in the world.

Noreena Hertz: I.O.U. The Debt Threat and Why We Must Defuse It, Fourth Estate £16.99

Not many books about economics begin with anecdotes about rock stars bullying high-ranking political figures into submission but this is no ordinary book about economics and Noreena Hertz is no ordinary economist.

Referred to as the Nigella Lawson of her field, she was recently photographed sprawled on the stairs of a London restaurant, wearing a short skirt and killer heels. John Maynard Keynes must be turning in his grave.

The author of The Silent Takeover, an exposé of how big business now rules the world, I.O.U. brings the issue of third world debt into the mainstream. Controversially, Hertz claims that third world debt is a more pressing than the threat of terrorism. Solve the debt crisis and the world will reap the benefits in all areas.

The celebrity quota is high; U2 frontman Bono and Bob Geldof have lunch with World Bank President, James Wolfensohn, who did not appreciate the Live Aid founder’s familiarity with the f-word.

Hertz’s passion for change is infectious. There is a postcard inside every book for readers to send to Tony Blair.