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bloodyfool0's review against another edition
4.0
If it were possible, I'd rate this book 4.5*. It is a very readable narrative of the history and currency of the glorious Indus river. Never had I once even considered the historic relevance of this understated and undervalued resource that provided an essential resource to the millions that once depended on it for survival.
The author, I must admit must have gone to great pains to visit parts of the river as it falls within some very hostile territory. How she was able to manage it, is a great accomplishment. I suppose her fluency in Urdu would have been of good value.
She travels from the end point all the way to the starting point of the river and not only gives us some history, but also the current social and political environment which has significantly altered the relevance of the river.
It flows as a trickle now due to the great dam project in Senna-Ali, Tibet. A crying shame for one nation, China, to deprive people below and depending on the flow of water for their own survival. It is a shame that people do ignore the needs of others by shutting off the tap of a much needed resource.
I too cry in shame.
If you're interested to learn about the Indus region, I'd recommend this book highly. It does cover Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and finally Tibet, the source.
The author, I must admit must have gone to great pains to visit parts of the river as it falls within some very hostile territory. How she was able to manage it, is a great accomplishment. I suppose her fluency in Urdu would have been of good value.
She travels from the end point all the way to the starting point of the river and not only gives us some history, but also the current social and political environment which has significantly altered the relevance of the river.
It flows as a trickle now due to the great dam project in Senna-Ali, Tibet. A crying shame for one nation, China, to deprive people below and depending on the flow of water for their own survival. It is a shame that people do ignore the needs of others by shutting off the tap of a much needed resource.
I too cry in shame.
If you're interested to learn about the Indus region, I'd recommend this book highly. It does cover Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and finally Tibet, the source.
visualradish's review against another edition
4.0
We, Indians, are completely cut off from the history of Indus after the partition. I now know and appreciate Indus and Pakistan a lot more after reading this book.
I am worried about the religious radicalization of both Hindus and Muslims on both sides of the border and wish this is only a temporary trend.
I am worried about the religious radicalization of both Hindus and Muslims on both sides of the border and wish this is only a temporary trend.
ravik's review
4.0
Alice's book on the Indus is a delightful read. A history book inside a travelogue wrapped in a personal diary styled writing. This book's strength is how it covers the history of the Indus from so many perspectives - empires, tribes, religions and common folk like fishermen, soldiers and the like.
A must read for anyone interested in the history of the subcontinent and what forces shaped it.
A must read for anyone interested in the history of the subcontinent and what forces shaped it.
wolvereader's review
4.0
While this book would more properly be titled "My travels in Pakistan and Afghanistan (even though the Indus doesn´t flow there), and oh yeah, to get a book deal here´s some stuff about empires, and look, I went to Tibet", it was a very informative and relatively entertaining read.
The author´s interests clearly lie with Pakistan and its muslim history, and she spends the vast majority of the book discussing Islam´s historical impact on Pakistan. There is lots of first-person travelogue, and you certainly can´t fault Ms. Albinia for her reckless risk-taking sneaking across borders in the Taliban-run hill regions of Pakistan. Or maybe you can, but it does make for interesting reading.
Still, I was hoping for a lot more information about the Buddhist empires of Tibet and Ladakh, which really got a chapter each. Maybe I´m overestimating the importance of Buddhism on the history of the Indus, but I really did feel that there was far more focus on Pakistan than anything else.
So in a nutshell: lots of great information, entertaining travelogue, and I now know a ton more about Pakistan. My Tibetan-related disappointments aside, this was a very interesting book and I recommend it.
The author´s interests clearly lie with Pakistan and its muslim history, and she spends the vast majority of the book discussing Islam´s historical impact on Pakistan. There is lots of first-person travelogue, and you certainly can´t fault Ms. Albinia for her reckless risk-taking sneaking across borders in the Taliban-run hill regions of Pakistan. Or maybe you can, but it does make for interesting reading.
Still, I was hoping for a lot more information about the Buddhist empires of Tibet and Ladakh, which really got a chapter each. Maybe I´m overestimating the importance of Buddhism on the history of the Indus, but I really did feel that there was far more focus on Pakistan than anything else.
So in a nutshell: lots of great information, entertaining travelogue, and I now know a ton more about Pakistan. My Tibetan-related disappointments aside, this was a very interesting book and I recommend it.
aashish's review
5.0
Lovely writing, somewhere in the middle of a captivating travelogue, almost Peter Hopkirk-esque and history of a land replete with many historical stories. Delivered with nuance and without any pretensions.
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