1. Original Sin
Stanly JohnyHarperCollinsPp 280, Rs 499
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that claimed many lives and has led to a devastating, retaliatory war in Gaza. Even as the death toll mounts every day, the world remains divided in its support of Israel or Palestine. Based on his multiple reporting visits to the region and dozens of interviews, Stanly Johny traces the roots of the conflict and unpacks the complex geopolitical systems that are involved.
2. The Gujaratis
Salil Tripathi
Aleph Book Company
Pp 744, Rs 1,499
From the holy town of Somnath, steeped in incense and distorted histories, to the high-octane corporate boardrooms of Mumbai, down the bustling avenue of Hovenierstraat, the heart of Belgium’s diamond trade, to lonely American highways dotted with Patel-owned motels, Salil Tripathi dissects the Gujarati presence in India and across the world and observes the strengths and weaknesses of the community.
3. Will India Get Rich Before It Turns 100?
Prosenjit Datta
Aleph Book Company
Pp 144, Rs 499
India turns 100 in 2047. Will it be a wealthy nation by then? If you choose to believe the statements of leaders and optimists, India will be a paradise for all. Unfortunately, the reality is that a few decades from now, while the country will be among the top three economies, it will struggle to join the ranks of what are termed the ‘high income’ or ‘developed’ countries, even if it maintains its current growth rate.
4. Chocolate
Sarah Moss & Alexander Badenoch
Pan Macmillan
Pp 160, Rs 599
Chocolate is synonymous with indulgence, filling dessert menus and millions of hearts with ecstasy all over the world. Since Spanish explorers first encountered the magical cocoa beans in 16-century South America, it has cast its spell at a global level, becoming an addictive and powerful force to be reckoned with. In Chocolate, Sarah Moss and Alec Badenoch guide readers through the remarkable evolution of this near-universal obsession.
5. Myth, Memory & Folktale of the Wancho Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh
Tara Douglas & Jatwang Wangsa
Niyogi Books
Pp 188, Rs 595
Where do stories come from? Is it about people making sense of their past, their history, and the world around them? For the Wancho tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, stories are part of the texture of their life, passed down from generation to generation. The Wancho people have lived in seclusion in the remote upper Wancho area nestled in the verdant green Patkai hills bordering Myanmar. These stories are fascinating in their diversity, variety and scope.
