Nationalism

No wonder why this great poet and literature genius has been awarded the Nobel Prize. Anyone who reads this book clearly gets an understanding as to how much this author has studied human mind and its social aspects that had been troubling the humanity ever since power and materialistic possessions have taken over spiritual freedom.The book is divided into three parts- Nationalism in the West, Nationalism of Japan and Nationalism in India.Rabindranath’s idea about a Nation is that of an evolution of a great organization of human mind, wealth, machines and power to control the minds and bodies of all that is surrounding this great artificial body. As per him, Power is a scientific product made in the political laboratory of the Nation, through the dissolution of personal humanity. As per him the West is necessary to the East and vice versa. His main target is the British (whenever he referred as Nation) rule in India and its ill effects on the moral and spiritual efficacies of the people of India. He ripped apart the cruel motives behind the industrial, economic, educational, social and political policies of Europe against all those countries it invaded and captured with main focus on how it affected India, whose history has been made across different races over centuries of suffering and learning not by material organization but by natural social cooperation and spiritual freedom.He praises Japan and America for its different approach towards Nationalism unlike Europe. He appreciates the ideology of these Nations which imbibed power and wealth through love and admiration but not through ambition and greed. He warns the forces of Nation against the creation of politicians, soldiers, manufacturers and bureaucrats which he says shall bring down the entire gigantic organization of the Nation one day to bite the dust. That would be the day when the East would come back into its hay days and start a new history. He appeals to Japan and America to view the ideologies and histories of many countries like India which cannot be called as Nations due to their diverse coexistence of different races with respect and positive approach instead of insulting them and treating them as beggars.The reader would be awestruck to come across such a vast expanse of usage of English verbatim in this book. I am totally perplexed by the way European organization has been constructively criticized apart by the author at the same time warning it of the detrimental effects it would have if they force upon spiritual countries like India.The author seems to have totally targeted the European way of conquering the World through its massive Organization of military and commerce, but seems to have ignored the benefits it brought upon all those countries it went to. The benefits might be undervalued compared to the exploitation and conflicts it created in those Nations.My rating is 4.5 out of 5

A philosophical approach to understanding nationalism in the late 18th and early 19th century. Prescient in some areas, the author recognized the significance and importance of Japan; touched on the racial inequalities in America and highlighted the dangers of the Indian caste system.

This Penguin reprint is important and timely. I believe that, among other things, Tagore's NATIONALISM should be thoroughly read and carefully thought about by every member of both the British Parliament and the U.S. Congress and White House. (There are also closely related things in the middle pieces of Tagore's CREATIVE UNITY and in his LETTERS TO A FRIEND.) The indictment of the nationalism developed in the West and the account of the contrasting ways in which human beings have related to each other in older civilisations of the East have the strongest application to our own times. Knowledge of them could also promote a more sympathetic understanding of current suspicion of and hostility to the West. The West has given much to the rest of the world, but Tagore shows and/or reminds us that it also owes the world the gravest apology. He himself writes at one point in the later CREATIVE UNITY that the post-WW1 move to 'internationalism' made little difference to the arrogance and greed that still governed much of the West's behaviour to the rest of the world. Those vices obviously still govern much of it now, as in the appalling invasion of Iraq. The full and proper making of that grave apology to the rest of the world could help promote worldwide peace by being the start of a more concilatory because penitent attitude in the West - to, among others, the so-called Islamic 'extremists'.

The book is divided into 3 chapters of approximately 40 pages each. Tagore explains the true meaning of Nationalism and explains it in the context or Japan, western culture and India. He explains that the kind of political nationalism of the west is farcical and India must not get into its trap. Over all this is a very good book and every one must read it to understand the true nature of Nationalism. It is highly relevant in the current Indian political climate. The writing is lucid with metaphors and poetic prose. Poem lovers will enjoy reading it. Anyone with class 10 knowledge of English can read and understand this book. You will enjoy reading it and will read it again and again. It makes you think.

- I recommend this book that anyone need to know more about politics. Thanks for selling it me. I will recommend the book to my two daughters, who are adults now. Regards,Kenneth W. Hatridge

The book enlightens us about when and how the term nationalism got into use. Rabindranath Tagor explain us the dangers of commercial and political short sightedness. Nationalism in practice makes people fight against each other under the pseudo identity given by nationalism.Book is very interested for the people who think about the society at large, worried about the fights between people under various banners, tries to find out the solution.Book is not giving effective solution. It only makes readers to think over the issues.

It is a great book, written by a great writer. Tagore with his triadic view that included Europe (West), Japan and India gives us a high meaning of the human kind and the formation of the society. It is a great book with an touching end with one of Tagore's poem.

Makes me feel like a philosopher

Very good read Would recommend 10/10 but it gets a bit boring

Good

interesting look at nationalism from a new perspective

Cet ouvrage, vieux d'une centaine d'années, n'a rien perdu de son actualité. Il reste salutaire en notre époque où justement les nationalismes s'affirment au détriment d'une plus large générosité d'esprit.

A great book by a genius