These days, we assume that a liberal democracy is the best form of government. But the world wasn’t always like this. How did we get here, and why did different countries get here at different times? From biological foundations of human behaviour to language and development of political systems, this is an enlightening read that helps us better understand the world we live in.
There was a time when I used to only read Indian fiction, because I found it more relatable. The only genre that was an exception was science fiction. And now, we have an Indian sci-fi anthology. From a walking Taj Mahal to zombies in Chennai, it has amazing diversity of context and actual storytelling.
The stories of ordinary citizens of the former USSR, who went through multiple political upheavals, which shaped their minds and lives. From idealism to just wishing to escape the system, people had different hopes. Quite a brutal read, but well worth it.
The world has seen five big extinctions in the last 500 million years, each of which led to the decimation of more than 75% of the species. But for the first time in history, we have a species which is capable of not just causing an extinction but being aware of it as well. I loved the book for the curiosity it evoked and adding a sense of romanticism in science.
A very interesting set of perspectives about living and being, referencing the thoughts of everyone from Nietzsche and Dostoevsky to Milton and Jung. I might not agree with a bunch of perspectives, but it did give me an opportunity to question my own value system and beliefs.