Incendiary Circumstances: A Chronicle of the Turmoil of our Times

Amitav Ghosh provides insight into events that we may have read about or, in some cases, not even heard about. He was either present when the event took place or arrived at the location not long after. He interviews survivors, government officials, proponents and opponents, all the while carefully observing the setting and the circumstances. After providing us with an in-depth report on each event, he steps back and puts the event in context, be it political, sociological, historical, or personal.I've read the first two books of The Ibis Trilogy - "Sea of Poppies" and "River of Smoke" - and eagerly await the third. I've also read "The Glass Palace" and "Shadow Lines". In short, I am on a personal journey to read all that he has written.Whether he's writing a factual account or creating a gripping historical fiction, Amitav Ghosh never disappoints.Read at least one of his books, and I think you'll be hooked like me.

This book is a collection of thoughts. Some thoughts have appeared in Amitav Ghosh's other works. I find the discussions diverse yet poignant. At a time when the world seems to be turning into a global village, the book serves as a good reminder of the immense diversity of human motivations. From as far east as Cambodia and Burma to the western shores of the United states, the author tells stories of us, us humans with very different aspirations and upbringings yet remarkably similar in some sense.

First, I thought that I was purchasing an entire book about Myanmar. But no, there is one wonderful essay about that place, so I am not a bit sorry that I have the book. In fact, I have continued to read all of the essays, although they are on topics that were previously unfamiliar to me. If one likes essays, go for it! Otherwise, check the table of contents first to see what you are getting. I doubt that you will be sorry.

I've just skimmed the first couple of chapters and find it to be a very interesting read. The delivery was prompt and in good condition.

This book is a collection of essays, written from a variety of locations around the world for various magazines, over the past fifteen years or so, by the Indian journalist Amitav Ghosh. To my taste they were uneven in quality. The first piece in the book, covering the effects of the 2004 Tsunami on the Indian inhabitants of some islands to the southeast of the Indian mainland, is beautifully written, engrossing and stands out as a masterpiece. It was very worthwhile reading a piece about life in India by a gifted Indian writer.I learned a good deal from a number of the other pieces as well. However the quality of the pieces seems to go down in relation to the distance Ghosh is removed from what he knows best (India and Indians), he has a habit of trying a little too hard to have profound insights, and seems a little preachy at times. On the other hand, as someone from a different background, I found the book quite useful for improving my knowledge of Indian viewpoints on topics dealing with politics and society.

A collection of articulate essays written at different times and on different places and about different experiences. Though the piece on 9/11 was disappointing. It lacks depths of the other essays. The reader gets a glimpse of different places, different people, different politics, and of course how the "incendiary circumstances" have changed/affected/moulded peoples lives across borders. A superb pastime reading indeed !

Incendiary Circumstances by Amitav Ghosh is extremely informative. Brilliantly written in Ghosh's usual unbiased, professional way.He reveals all sorts of facts that one would never learn of.Incendiary Circumstances should be included in some education programmes. Ghosh can educate and enlighten people in the west about the racial complexities, not just in India and Pakistan but also in the Middle East and South East Asia.

Really enjoyed this candid book with excellent illustrations of current issues at the time of the book's publishing..bit dated now but very well written as expected from Mr Ghosh!