Book Review: Tata Tales

I am very happy to share that I have completed reading the book - Tata Stories by Harish Bhat. 

The thing that most stands out about the book is that with that kind of excellent raw material, it is easily the most boring book I have ever read. 

Mercantile history of the world in general and India in particular, is a special interest area. I feel that traders and merchants are the pioneers of both innovation and prosperity- both essential elements for stable governance. Yet, the voice of the merchants finds little mention in history.

The Tatas have played a HUGE role in both nation building and commerce. Many stellar institutions of India owe their origin and vital initial sponsorship to this business family. Over time, they have proven themselves to be visionaries and great at execution. 

Besides, I had read Harish Bhat's Linked in posts that appeared while the book was being written. These excerpts were interesting. 

So, if the book was opened with anticipation, it wasn't entirely my fault. 

It went from anticipation to compromise to incredible boredom really fast. 

Perhaps, if he had focused on the challenges (like in the story of the air race), or used less platitudes, the book would have made for a very interesting read. To tell the reader 100 times in each chapter how each Tata was such a visionary and such a loyal patriot is a little like playing to the choir, no? We are reading the book because we believe in the importance of Tatas in our national/mercantile history! 

It took me over a year to finish the book, and the strongest exertion of self-discipline. 

The content was fascinating, the writing style was the exact opposite. 

My review: If you are a Tata fan and can speed read, go for it. If not, pass. Have someone make bullet points and pass them on. 

The only part of the book that deserves to be preserved and kept is a letter by JRD Tata to a school teacher in Bengal. He had written to JRD asking for the guiding principles of his life. 

This letter, I will reproduce below, because in my mind, it stands right up there with Kipling's "If" and Gibran's The Prophet in terms of wisdom for the soul: 

Dear Mr Bhansali,

I thank you for your letter of the 6th August, enquiring what have been the guiding principles which have kindled my path and my career. I do not consider myself to be an “illustrious personality”, but only an ordinary businessman and citizen who has tried to make the best of his opportunities to advance the cause of India’s industrial and economic development. Any such guiding principles I might unconsciously have had in my life can be summarized as follows:

That nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without deep thought and hard work;

That one must think for oneself and never accept at their face value slogans and catch phrases to which, unfortunately, our people are too easily susceptible;

That one must forever strive for excellence, or even perfection, in any task however small, and never be satisfied with the second best;

That no success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile, unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people, and is achieved by fair and honest means; that good human relations not only bring great personal rewards but are essential to the success of any enterprise. 

Yours sincerely,

JRD Tata

You can also read this on the Tata website here: 

https://www.tata.com/newsroom/heritage/jrd-tata-letter-schoolteacher