Book Reviewed: Ancient Hindu Science by Alok Kumar

Science, medicine, and astronomy in ancient Hindu India This book provides a brief sketch of the scientific contributions of Hindus and reminds us of the mathematical tools perfected for astronomical and physical calculations. The author articulates the essence of Hindu science that includes mathematics, science, and medicine. He gives equal allocation of time and space for these subjects to highlight the dominance of ancient Indian Hindu science and mathematics. Often, the author uses the quotes of European authors like Florian Cajori (1859–1930), a Swiss American historian who did not specialize in the history of Indian science. The author could have considered the Indian discoveries and inventions on its merit than start off with a European view. Most Western historians of 19th and 20th centuries were Eurocentric, and Cajori’s focus was Greek and European mathematics, and often underestimated Indian contributions. However, the proudest moments for Hindu science were when Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata (fifth century CE) and Brahmagupta developed the concept of zero as a number and created the decimal system. Early Hindu scholars wrote about algebra (called Bijaganita) and trigonometric functions like sine (jya) and cosine. Aryabhata proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis and planets move in elliptical orbits long before it was “discovered” in Europe. Indian astronomers calculated the length of the solar year very precisely and developed methods to predict eclipses. In short, ancient India was a scientific powerhouse making discoveries not only in mathematics and astronomy, but also in health, medicine, surgery, chemistry, and agriculture that founded modern science. The wisdom of Hindus may be found in the earliest Hindu scriptures: "Let noble thoughts come to us from every side." Rigveda 1.89.1, a call for open-mindedness and wisdom from all directions. "Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood." Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.6a. And "You have the right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits of your actions." Bhagavad Gita 2.47. The author could have expanded on the chapters that focus on mathematics, and astronomy. But for in-depth studies, I recommend: “The History of Ancient Indian Mathematics" by C.N. Srinivas Iyengar; Works by D.D. Kosambi; and “The Crest of the Peacock" by George Verghese Joseph.

Book Reviewed: Science in Ancient India by Melissa Stewart.

A brief history of ancient India for kids This is a book for kids about the scientific contributions of ancient India, which sounds interesting but also has serious errors. In the opening section, it states that “around 3,500 years ago, a group of light-skinned people called Aryans came to India through passages in the Hindu Kush mountains. Unlike the Dravidians, the Aryans were wandering herders. Over the next five hundred years, the Aryans slowly moved southward until they reached the Ganges Valley in central India. As the Aryans invaded, they pushed the Dravidians farther and farther south. Eventually, the Aryans began to settle down and farm.” This has strong racial overtones and subordination of the Indian population. 19th-century European scholars proposed this to support colonization of India by the British Empire, which claimed that Indo-European-speaking "Aryans" invaded and conquered the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) around 1500 BCE. Suggested that this invasion led to the decline of the IVC and the rise of Vedic culture in northern India. In fact, there's no clear evidence of violent invasion or large-scale destruction in Indus Valley sites. Recent genetic evidence, such as Rakhigarhi DNA studies, shows no marker of a sudden, large-scale migration or invasion. However, there is interesting section that describes the work of Indian astronomers like Brahmagupta who described the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter long before telescope was invented in the 1600s. The work of Aryabhata describes planetary movements in great detail. It is amazing that this scientific was known long before Europeans claimed to have discovered them.

Book Reviewed: To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People by Noah Feldman

The Jewish identity Author Noah Feldman, a Harvard law professor with Orthodox Jewish identity offers the ways Jews relate to faith, community, and the state of Israel in the 21st century. He examines four categories of Jews: traditionalists, progressives, evolutionists, and Godless Jews, and concludes that secular or non-believing Jews are engaged in a form of spiritual struggle, and still makes them Jewish. In one section he evaluates Israel’s identity as a Jewish state and its struggle with Arabs and Palestinian population. The focus is mainly on American Jewish experiences and doesn’t address Mizrahi, Sephardic, or African Jewish perspectives. He also doesn’t examine the widespread antisemitism and anti-Israel activities on American college campuses. Antisemitism in Western Europe and North America is due to an increase in Islamist ideology, and left-wing anti-Zionism. In one section of the book, he states that “The thing I can say with confidence is that, having immersed myself in Jewish tradition and thought, and having occupied the position of bad Jew to some observers and commentators some of the time, I have come to learn that the tradition, in all its multifarious guises and unexpected manifestations, will never abandon me. That's something.” Does the author mean that other traditions/faiths, like Hinduism, Buddhism or Christianism also does not abandon its followers for being different? So, what is unique about Jewish traditions? Harvard University’s January 2024 “Antisemitism on Campus” report underscores a significant rise in both witnessed and experienced antisemitic acts on campus. It is abundant in statistics as well as anecdotes, and offers more than three hundred pages of dismal reading. Except for Alan Dershowitz, no other faculty members including this author have ever criticized or condemned the school for its divisive role. So, how can we take his analysis seriously?

Book Reviewed: Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit by Henry A. Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Craig Mundie

AI in our future This is a review of the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) on future human identity. It explores AI's capacity to address challenges like climate, global politics, war, and healthcare in the absence of human autonomy. The book is purely speculative and lacks concrete solutions to the challenges of AI. Some parts of the book are too speculative to the extent that the authors are more like false prophets sounding alarm if ethical component is not added to the AI development. This book is no different from other AI books I have read, lacks solutions and blindly imbibing ethics into AI-machines. These authors never addressed how AI would treat animals and lower forms of life but always worried about the interests of Homo Sapiens. It goes to show that the AI researchers couldn’t care about this issue, or that AI will not harm animals. Homo Sapiens were new kids on the block when they appeared on this planet about 300,000 years ago. Palaeobiological evidence suggests that Homo Sapiens may have contributed to the demise of their cousins Neanderthals who became extinct about 40,000 years ago. Did Neanderthals ever think that they would be better off to have Homo Sapiens eliminated, no, they didn’t. Then why is it so important to produce AI with human elements imbibed into it? This becomes a problem when we consider infusing AI with too much of our own limitations like biases, emotions, or subjective views that will reduce AI’s objectivity or clarity in certain tasks. For example, understanding fundamental truths about the cosmos or life itself would never be achieved. AI with human-like thoughts (humane AI) cloud its judgment and misinterpret raw data. Subjective thinking overrides data-driven reasoning. Science thrives on objectivity and falsifiability, the traits not always shared by humans. The book leans heavily on conjecture regarding AI’s capabilities and societal impacts without providing concrete evidence, and it lacks practical solutions.

Book Reviewed: Lost Christianities: The Battles of Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew by Bart Ehrman

How did early “chaotic” Christianity evolve into a major faith system This is a scholarly exploration of several Christian movements in the first two hundred years of the common era that did not make into the current Christian system. This period in the Biblical history was marred by theological conflicts and destruction of scriptures regarded by early bishops as heretical. These included several scriptures of Gnosticism, Marcionism, and ebonist theology. The author shows that these groups had vastly different description of the Jesus’ teachings, salvation, and the identity of God. Gospel of Mary (Mary Magdalene), Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, and numerous other apocryphal acts and epistles offers alternate portrayals of Jesus, the God, and Christian beliefs and practices. In fact, Mary Magdalene, one of the closest disciples of Jesus who knew Jesus’ teachings well was instructed by Jesus to lead his ministry after his departure. This gospel clearly states that there is no such thing as Sin in this world. Author Ehrman discusses about forty-five apocryphal texts used by diverse group of Christian communities who believed and practiced Christian faith very differently. The role of early bishops and leaders of Christian communities were influential in the final outcome. By the end of the fourth century, the current version of the New Testament came into existence. The author calls early bishops who shaped the New Testament as the sacred scriptures of proto-orthodox Christians. This process included forgery, destruction of apocryphal texts that were labeled heresy, and creation of texts to uphold the proto-orthodox Christianity. The Gospels were written anonymously to begin with and later were called by the names of their reputed authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is apparent that the New Testament canon was not divinely dictated, but it evolved over time through human decisions that were contentious and politically motivated. Heresiologists (who refuted heresies: beliefs or doctrines contrary to orthodox Christian teaching was regarded as false) like, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and Tertullian fought to destroy Gnosticism, Marcionism, and ebonist theology. Proto-Orthodox Bishops like Ignatius, Polycarp, Clement, Athanasius preached the early form of Christian belief system with forged texts to support their view. There are numerous books published by the “Jesus Seminar,” a team of well-respected Biblical scholars that discuss how the four canonized gospels evolved and came into existence, and which part of these gospels are fabricated. The author briefly discusses this in this book. This is a thought-provoking and well-researched work that narrates the very fluid state of early Christian belief system. This is highly readable, and I strongly recommend this to readers interested in early Christianity, biblical history, and anyone interested to know the truth about New Testament.

Book Reviewed: Amateur Hour: Kamala Harris in the White House by Charlie Spiering

Harris is the best example for an incompetent and inept presidential candidate Author Charlie Spiering, an experienced journalist at the Washington Examiner and Breitbart News, gives an investigative report of Kamala Harris's rise in politics, from her time as a California prosecutor to her role as Vice President, and 2024 presidential campaign. Her ascent was rapid and highly problematic, because of her inexperience, incompetence, and focus on personal advancement. She will go down in the history of presidential campaigns for her incoherent communication and nonsensical statements. During her trip to Guatemala, Harris sat down for an interview with NBC's Lester Holt, stated that she never visited the US-Mexico border as a Border Czar and asked if she had plans to do so. She replied ''At some point, you know, we are going to the border”' Harris said, fumbling for the right words. "You haven't been to the border;' Holt noted again, Harris responded, with a laugh, saying, “I haven't been to Europe.” "And I mean, I don't understand the point that you're making.” Harris was shockingly unprepared for a question that Republicans and reporters had been asking her for months. What alarmed her staffers was that she had recently received comprehensive media training including a prepared answer in case she was asked why she had not visited the border. The "border czar" also treated border enforcement agents like garbage. Four days later on ABC network’s “The View,” Harris expanded her thoughts, comparing the border agents to slave owners, and them treating undocumented immigrants as slaves. Governor Abbott of Texas used the occasion to send more busloads of migrants to Harris's home in Washington, DC, reminding everyone how she was failing as a border czar. At one stage she said the immigration issue is the responsibility of the United States Congress. Harris prioritized her identity as a black woman over her Indian heritage, and none of her ancestors faced the horrors of slavery or racist codes of the civil rights era like many ancestors of African American politicians. She was difficult to work with, having high staff turnover rates, and relying on polling rather than political and economic principles to guide her through. She was artificial on stage, never willing to engage or risk her brand, and constantly playing defense. Her speeches lacked conviction and spiraled into word salads. This book looks back as how Harris began as the district attorney of San Francsico and moved into local San Francisco politics and high society after dating much older California State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. She positioned herself carefully as a politician in California, threading her social connections, her personal biography, and law enforcement record to rise quickly in state politics until she became a United States senator and ultimately vice president of the United States. She went on to spend over one billion dollars during her failed 2024 presidential campaign. Her own internal poll suggested that Donald Trump was far ahead of her in many “swing” states.

Book Review: The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI by Ray Kurzweil

The age of AI Kurzweil introduces the concept of the Law of Accelerating Returns, which states that the rate of technological progress accelerates exponentially over time. This law is based on the observation that each new technological innovation builds upon previous ones, leading to a rapid increase in advancements. Kurzweil identifies six epochs of evolution, each representing a significant milestone in the development of intelligence. Kurzweil’s ideas are based on unproven assumptions about the nature of intelligence and consciousness. It has overly optimistic predictions based on flawed assumptions about the rate of technological progress. The lack of discipline ventures into overly simplistic associations. The term "singularity" is borrowed from mathematics (like when a number is divided by zero), and physics (where matter, energy and physics laws fall into). The author uses the term as a metaphor because it captures our inability to comprehend with our current level of intelligence. But as the technological progresses, the author believes that it enhances our cognition quickly enough to adapt. He suggests that the Singularity will happen around 2045.

Book Reviewed: The Origins of Mathematics by V. Lakshmikantham and S. Leela

Mathematics and astronomy in ancient India This is a short book of ninety-two pages that focuses on Indian mathematics and astronomy very briefly. The account is not complete; the work of well-known Kerala School of Mathematics is largely ignored. The title of the book is somewhat misleading, but I recommend the authors review the material and include all important aspects to point the superiority of Indian mathematicians over Greek and European mathematics. The dates of several historical events in Indian math and astronomy are overestimated and not supported by archeological and historical evidence. Chapters 5 and 6 show a significant trigonometry which could be confusing to an average reader interested in learning about significance of Indian contribution to mathematics, astronomy, physics, cosmology, philosophy, economics, and architecture. Mathematics in ancient India has a rich and remarkable history, characterized by profound discoveries and developments that influenced mathematics worldwide. Ancient Indian mathematicians made significant contributions to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and astronomy. Some the highlights include the decimal number system, including the concept of zero as a numeral; the Aryabhatiya by Aryabhata (476 CE) introduced techniques for solving quadratic equations, trigonometry, and approximations of π (pi); Brahmagupta (7th century CE) formalized the rules for operations involving zero and negative numbers; the Sulba Sutras (800-500 BCE) that described astronomical rules for constructing fire altars using geometric principles; Bhaskara I (7th century CE) and Bhaskara II (12th century CE) expanded algebraic understanding, solving complex equations and introducing concepts like cyclic quadrilaterals; and Bhaskara II’s Bijaganita ("Seed Counting") was a pioneering text in algebra. Indian astronomers integrated mathematics into their study of planetary motion and eclipses. The Surya Siddhanta, an ancient astronomical text, contains advanced calculations for planetary orbits. The Kerala School of Mathematics (14th–16th centuries) led by Madhava of Sangamagrama made early advancements in calculus, including power series expansions for trigonometric functions. Their work predated European calculus by centuries. Ancient scriptures like Rigveda contain mathematical ideas presented in philosophical terms: the hymn of Creation (Nasadiya Sukta) – Rigveda 10.129; The Cosmic Order Hymn Rigveda 1.164; and Purusha Sukta - Rigveda 10.90. These are the earliest philosophical concepts found in the ancient Vedic scripture that later led to six schools of Hindu philosophy culminating in Vedanta. The physical reality described by theoretical physics and is identical to Advaita Vedanta. The most fundamental entity of the cosmos is the Pure Consciousness out of which matter, and energy appears in spacetime. Guided by the laws of physics cosmos and life evolve.

Book Reviewed: Around Washington Square: An Illustrated History of Greenwich Village by Luther S. Harris

The American Bohemia This is a visually captivating exploration of one of New York City's most iconic neighborhoods, the Washington Square Park. It is a narrative of the history of Greenwich Village, a cultural and geographical landmark for three centuries. Once, this was the 17th-century Dutch settlement and progressively transformed into a fashionable residential and university district in the 19th century. And later as the epicenter of the city's bohemian, creative, and activist movements. The narrative covers a broad range of themes, the architectural evolution, the construction of row houses, and the rise of artistic communities. Greenwich Village became more involved in civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-war protests in the 20th century. The book is illustrated with photographs, maps, and illustrations that bring the history into a proper perspective. They are informative and also visually rewarding. The narratives are effortless and engaging. Although the book covers a broad time frame, it does not cover the mid-20th century counterculture movement. This book is recommended to readers interested in the American history, history of New York City and its cultural legacy.

Book Reviewed: Empires of the Indus, the Story of a River by Alice Albinia

Indus and Saraswati Rivers This is a journey along the Indus River, downstream and back in time, from the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea. Along the way, the river wanders freely across Indian subcontinent, creating ancient cities and being a silent witness to the ancient civilization, empires and kingdoms that flourished over its banks during the last four thousand years. The Indus valley civilization has a continuous history. It was a political, religious, and literary ferment, a history of the people of Indian subcontinent. Scholars and geologists suggest that the Saraswati River was a large river that once flowed parallel to the Indus River. It was one of the most revered rivers described by the Vedic seers in ancient India. The sacred scriptures of Hinduism such as the Rigveda describe this river as Goddess Saraswati. Rigveda contains metaphysical and spiritual thoughts long before civilization was born in Europe The author wrongly identifies Saraswati River as the Indus River, but actually Indus still exists but Saraswati River has dried. This book concludes that building dams across the river might have been the cause of it. But studies have revealed that tectonic activity might have changed the earth's crust that diverted the river's course. Another possibility is the climatic shift from the gradual aridification of the region. Satellite imagery studies have identified ancient dry riverbeds in the Thar Desert indicating that once it was a mighty river. The Indus River Valley was home to thriving communities of peoples of ancient India, like the world's oldest civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. This book documents the farming innovations, the birth of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, and the role of the Indus River in in supporting large cities on its bank. It is a brief exploration of their advanced urban planning, pioneering engineering feats, and social structures that supported these ancient metropolises connecting harmoniously with Mesopotamia and Persia. The author does not motivate the reader and her work contains errors.

Book Reviewed: Wheels of Her Own: American Women and the Automobile, 1893-1929 by Carla R. Lesh

Women’s place is in the driver’s seat This book explores the life of American women and the enrichment of their lives during early days of automobile, 1893-1929. It discusses the benefits of owning a vehicle that included shifting gender norms, fostering independence, and opening new opportunities for women. But there were serious challenges too. Early automobiles were difficult to operate, requiring strength and mechanical knowledge, which led many to believe driving was unsuitable for women. In addition, roads were poorly maintained, and long-distance travel was perilous. Inequities to access, safety, lodging and fuel, reliable equipment, and the racism challenged African American women significantly. The promise of any new groundbreaking "life-altering" technology was challenged by the social conditions. Women like Alice Huyler Ramsey, a 22-year-old N.J. housewife became a pioneer. In 1909, She was the first woman to drive across the United States. Accompanied by three female friends (none of whom could drive), embarked on a 3,800-mile journey from New York to San Francisco in a Maxwell automobile. They faced mechanical breakdowns, muddy roads, and navigational challenges, many roads were unpaved and lacked signs. Rural areas were most difficult since they sought the help of strangers in case of emergency. Ramsey’s successful trip proved that women were capable of handling the technical and physical challenges of driving. Automobiles also became integral to the suffrage movement. Women used cars for parades, rallies, and cross-country tours to promote, demonstrating their ability to engage with modern technology and public life. The "Votes for Women" caravan of 1913 involved women driving cars emblazoned with banners advocating for suffrage. These highly visible tours drew attention and helped reach rural and urban communities. Inez Milholland became a driving force for suffrage, and Clara Ford the wife of Henry Ford was a strong advocate for women’s driving. The mass production of the Model T by Ford in 1908 made cars more affordable, broadening access to middle-class families and women. This study is limited in its choice of subject matter, since the motoring landscape included expansive demographic than the three groups discussed here, the white, the black and indigenous population. Hispanic and Asian populations are clearly excluded and much of the discussions are about the white and black women. Another shortcoming of this book is the way the topics are discussed. There are several pictures, illustrations and diagrams of women driving, which helped me to connect with female drivers of the early 1900s.