Book Review of "From Midnight to the Millennium"

From Midnight to the Millennium is one of my favorite reads so far. Although it is not directly related to the field of anthropology, the book explores intersections in the studies of politics, culture, foreign relations, traditions, and more in India. To read and understand this book thoroughly, some familiarity with Indian politics is helpful. While Shashi Tharoor does a great job of defining terms for readers not well-versed in Indian culture and politics, in my opinion, some background knowledge is still necessary, as the book can get confusing with many political events and figures discussed.

For those unfamiliar with Shashi Tharoor, here is a brief summary of his background and career. He is an Indian politician, diplomat, writer, and intellectual known for his eloquent speaking and writing style. He is currently a member of the Lok Sabha, representing Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as part of the Indian National Congress. Tharoor worked at the United Nations for nearly three decades as a senior official, served in various positions in the Indian government, and authored numerous books on history, politics, and culture. With his unique style and global outlook, he has become one of India’s most recognized voices on both national and international matters.

Now that you know a little more about the perspective from which this book was written, I will share some of my favorite parts. Structurally, Tharoor organized the book chronologically, covering themes of Indian culture, history, and politics. This approach is especially helpful for readers with limited background in the subject. My favorite parts of the book are the last few pages of each chapter, where the takeaways are particularly articulate and powerful. Tharoor emphasizes that every Indian experiences India differently, which resonated with me. The India I have experienced differs from Tharoor’s in several ways: my experiences are decades later, being a girl adds unique perspectives, and, most notably, he writes about South Indian culture, stereotypes, and lifestyle, while I have mostly experienced the North. These differences have given me a perspective distinct from the India I know firsthand.

I wanted to share a quote that really stood out to me and has stayed with me: “They want revenge against history, but they do not realize that history is its own revenge.”