The Ocean of Churn

 Hello hello,

Checking in to write a very brief review of a really nice book I happened to read recently! 

I don't write book reviews often (well i don't even update this blog too often!) but this time I thought about writing on this book because it was so well researched and narrated in a really nice manner. I couldn't believe history can be written in an interesting manner too! My school history classes were such a bore! Or maybe, I am now more mature to appreciate history :) Whatever the case, it was a welcome break. 

So this book is by Sanjeev Sanyal and its called The Ocean of Churn. Now I have read Sanyals earlier books, Land of the Seven Rivers and another short story book, so in a way i knew what to expect. A thorough work, with a bit of irony and humor, and a lot of interesting stories from history and how it has shaped our world, and India especially. 

This book does the same, and this time it is from India's maritime history and how it has shaped the subcontinent. There were so many interesting characters from history that were brought to the fore. Many forgotten, and many links unknown, and all those came together into this wonderful melange of narration from Sanyal. I could transport myself into those voyages taken up by so many from the past, and relive those times. It was really helpful that maps were provided in between as well, to show the important places where different events took place, across the entire coastline of India, Africa and Southeast Asia. 

The matrilineal lineage and its importance to several of the kingdoms of the south, the wars, the after-maths, the voyages, the different discoveries of trade routes, the rich history of India with its extraordinary progress in trade across countries in the Indian ocean, the violence and bloodshed of invaders, the coming of the Europeans, the contribution of India and many of its stalwarts, the grey shades of characters, and so many facets and connections. Indeed, if history were to be taught in this manner it would be so much richer. Our schools need to seriously think about making the past come to life in a more evocative manner! For from it, we realize how we landed here, what has shaped our thinking and our culture, and how it's being shaped further as well. 

I am so intrigued by this book, I think I would want to re-read it and the earlier ones as well! 

Just to relive and understand better, ourselves and the lands whence our ancestors tread, and the waters they sailed..!