Book Review by Philatim Jagoi
When I heard that an 11 year old child had authored a book about a complex area as that of the universe and humankind, I thought, “Nah...There’s no way that a 9 year old (because that was apparently the age when he started writing this book) could possibly write about such a difficult subject all by himself.”
The Universe and Our Destiny is the first work of Thanzat Raingam, a seven grader studying in Guwahati, Assam. This awe-inspiring book basically discusses about everything related to the universe, the human race, and its future. The young author gathered the knowledge of this particular book alone through six years of reading which includes the likes of Stephen Hawking. The bibliography in itself is a commendable feat at his age.
From the homosapiens to the extraterrestrials, from the dawn of human civilisation to the possible evolution of an intergalactic civilisation, from the beginning of the universe to its plausible end, to name a few, is what one will find in this work. With precise and informative explanations about difficult theories, the content as well as its author leaves the reader genuinely intrigued. It is almost like the ideal science textbook that one wishes they had during the school years. However, this book isn’t just about science; the author includes history, physics, and even thoughts concerning spirituality.
The highlight of the book is perhaps the different theories that deliberate the end of the universe and the human race in it. While most kids of his age are oblivious to the pressing environmental issues, young Thanzat Raingam acutely voices his concern in the way that all of us really ought to. This, to me, further validates how remarkably well-read, aware, and imaginative the author is. Having said that, the prospect of the end of everything in the distant future also encourages the reader to think outside the mere conventions of religion or other such divisions, and live together as thoughtful and productive beings. The profound author says, “Whether one believes or does not believe in God(s), love and positive concern for one another are the fundamental pillars of human relationships.”
Another admirable aspect I found, is the editing which I believe, is the essence of any form of writing. This answers the initial scepticism I had about the writing; it is edited wonderfully. Reading the book is like listening to an articulate child with the mind of a genius intently narrating the story of the universe. Considering that it has been co-authored by his father who is a History major and IRTS Officer, the impression of adult supervision can certainly be seen in some parts of the book. That however, does not deny the fact that the talented author is capable of producing outstanding works all by himself in the coming years.
So who can read this amazing book you ask? Well, EVERYONE. It is for the student who has even the slightest interest in the solar system, or the parent who wishes to acquire the basic knowledge of it themselves before explaining it to their inquisitive child. The book is aimed at promoting a scientific and inquisitive mentality for all. Besides, the informative content of the book will also really help adults who are appearing competitive exams. It is an engrossing read made all the more interesting with smart illustrations and around a 40 word glossary. It just offers so much in such a small book. With the fascinating content and great paper quality, I would rate it a candid 4.9/5.
‘The Universe and Our Destiny’ is available on amazon.in and is priced at Rs 300.
