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The Past as Present
- Forging Contemporary Identities Through History
- Narrated by: Manisha Sethi
- Length: 15 hrs and 48 mins
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Government
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very superficial, biased
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These are dangerous times for democracy. We live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that 'you can make it if you try'. And the consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fuelled populist protest, with the triumph of Brexit and election of Donald Trump.
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A Philosopher of the the world for the world.
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Publisher's Summary
Understanding our past is of critical importance to our present. Many popularly held views about the past need to be critically inquired into before they can be taken as historical. For instance, what was the aftermath of the raid on the Somanatha temple? Which of us is Aryan or Dravidian? Why is it important for Indian society to be secular? When did communalism as an ideology gain a foothold in the country? How and when did our patriarchal mindset begin to support a culture of violence against women? Why are the fundamentalists so keen to rewrite history textbooks?
The answers to these and similar questions have been disputed and argued about ever since they were first posed. Distinguished historian Romila Thapar has investigated, analyzed and interpreted the history that underlies such questions throughout her career; now, in this book, through a series of incisive essays she argues that it is of critical importance for the past to be carefully and rigorously explained, if the legitimacy of our present, wherever it derives from the past, is to be portrayed as accurately as possible. This is especially pertinent given the attempts by unscrupulous politicians, religious fundamentalists and their ilk to try and misrepresent and willfully manipulate the past in order to serve their present-day agendas.
An essential and necessary book at a time when sectarianism, bogus 'nationalism' and the muddying of historical facts are increasingly becoming a feature of our public, private and intellectual lives.
Romila Thapar is one of the most important indian academics writing today. Well-researched and thoroughly accessible, this volume is sure to become essential listening for those interested in Indian history and religion. It includes her experience of writing history textbooks for school, analysis of ancient history and interpretations of the epics, and the role history plays in contemporary politics.
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What listeners say about The Past as Present
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Yogesh Garg
- 24-05-20
it is just viewpoint
i was looking for a factual description of historical events... looks like i wasted my credit,...
1 person found this helpful
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- Jagmohan Singh
- 11-10-20
wonderful presentation of Indian history
loved it a well narrated story of Indian history clearing the grain from chaff gives a clear understanding to work in present and future decolonisation process
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- shubhu
- 26-06-20
a must read
anyone who interested in understanding indian history and present must read this book.
narration is bit dull.
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- Virag Masuraha
- 31-05-18
Someone who sees India as Dark Cloud
Lacking in both rationality as well as general goodness. Ms. Thapar is someone who sees India as the source of all bad in the world. She had not even a single chapter or even a sentence to say good about India or its past culture. This speaks more about Ms. Thapar's personality than about the society and India.
Ms. Sethi's tone throughout is condescending. Ms. Thapar found an apt choice in her to perform. Painful listening for 18 plus hours. Unfortunately I took on this book knowing her views too well but I was hoping she will be balanced view and provide through rationale. But she displays more God like view- everything said by her to be accepted by her words. Anyone of differing views are chauvinist, jingoist, Hindu fundamentalists and so on.
5 people found this helpful
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- Lotika Singha
- 10-12-17
A great historian
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, presents a non-judgemental, unbiased approach to Indian history
What did you like best about this story?
Sound analytical framework.
What about Manisha Sethi’s performance did you like?
Clear intonation and maintains interest.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Not applicable.