Home in the World: A Memoir

Amartya Sen's early life in India and England, including his time at Santiniketan and Cambridge, shaped his intellectual formation. The book explores his ideas and the people and places that influenced him, including the Bengal famine and the political relationship between Britain and India.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Amartya Sen, one of the world's leading public intellectuals, had an extraordinary early life in India and England. He grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and was raised by his grandparents in Santiniketan, a village renowned for its intellectual heritage. Sen's education began in Calcutta, where he studied economics and was actively involved in student movements. He later attended Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of nineteen.

Sen vividly recreates the atmosphere of each of these places in his book. The intellectually liberating school in Santiniketan founded by Rabindranath Tagore played a crucial role in shaping his intellectual development. He also engaged in captivating conversations at the famous Coffee House on College Street in Calcutta, where he interacted with many influential figures of the time.

This book is not just about ideas; it is also about the people and places that influenced Sen's life. He delves into the historic culture of Bengal, exploring its rich heritage and the political tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Sen witnessed the devastating Bengal famine in 1943, which had a profound impact on him and his family. The book also explores the complex relationship between Britain and India, reflecting on the historical events and their consequences.

Forty-five years after arriving at Trinity College, Sen was appointed its Master, a testament to his intellectual achievements and contributions. His book is a treasure trove of insights and perspectives, offering a profound understanding of the world we live in.

Weight: 664g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781846144868