Title: The Nalanda Manuscript
Genre: Historical
Review:
This book is a fast-paced historical thriller that beautifully connects the ancient past with modern-day danger. The story begins by reminding us of Nalanda, the legendary centre of learning in ancient India, whose vast libraries were destroyed in 1193 AD. It also draws a parallel with Timbuktu, another great hub of knowledge in Africa, where priceless manuscripts were hidden to protect them from colonial plunder. This background sets a powerful tone, showing how human greed and violence have repeatedly tried to erase knowledge, yet people have always fought to preserve it.
The main story unfolds in the present, when a rare manuscript bearing the seal of Nalanda is discovered deep in the Sahara. Abdel Haidara, a Timbuktien antiquarian, is trying to recover lost manuscripts, while Izak Kaurben, an ex-paratrooper working with Indian authorities, travels to Timbuktu to bring the Nalanda manuscript back to India. Just when the mission seems hopeful, a brutal terror group called Qānūn ad-Dam kidnaps Abdel and the Chancellor of the New Nalanda University, leaving Izak badly injured.
The final part of the book is tense and emotional, as an injured Izak teams up with local Timbuktiens to race against time. If Abdel is killed, the Nalanda Manuscript will be lost forever because only he knows where it is hidden. The rescue mission highlights courage, friendship, and the shared responsibility of protecting human history. Written in simple but gripping language, the book is not just an adventure story—it
Review By Walk With A Book.
