Description
Book SynopsisAcross the twentieth century, Asians imagined universalist ideals centered on the idea of Asia itself, rivaling European colonial thought, liberalism, and race-based nationalisms. Sugata Bose explores the history of Asian universalisms and reflects on their potential amid ongoing nationalist rivalries tied to religious majoritarianism and violence.
Trade ReviewBose is at the top of his game—a brilliant, urgent, and passionate book. -- Tim Harper, University of Cambridge
A trenchant, capacious, and moving feast of historical interpretation. Drawing on the full breadth of insights from a distinguished career studying Asia’s interconnected past, Sugata Bose illuminates ways to a more plural and inclusive Asian future. -- Sunil Amrith, Yale University
In this enthralling intellectual history of a continent, Bose breaks out of European referents to focus on the mobility of Asian people, ideas, and imaginaries. A pathbreaking foray into the making of modern Asia. -- Seema Alavi, Ashoka University
This is a deeply felt and carefully argued book. Sugata Bose captures the hopes and misjudgments of generations of Asian thinkers. He makes us wonder if the US-led international system based on sovereign nation-states and the new nationalisms that this system produced might have lured Asia too far for its alternative forms of universalism to succeed. Highly recommended. -- Wang Gungwu, National University of Singapore
A brilliant history of continental connections which offers vital lessons for Asia’s shared future. -- Amartya Sen, Harvard University
