“Animal Farm” by George Orwell (1945)

A MUST READ - You may be wondering what I’m smoking recommending a must read for a book published before our parents were born …

Well, I did not hear about this book till a couple of years ago when my mentor made comment to me – “Navin, with your attitude towards work; you may end up like the horse on the Animal Farm” – I, obviously, did not understand his comment and so I probed further. He, then, mentioned about the horse in this classic. I read the book immediately and became a huge fan.

You can read the book for free at - http://www.george-orwell.org/Animal_Farm/index.html ... Its a small book and you may be able to finish it quickly …

Basically, the book is a satire on a communist or any other totalitarian regime. During those days (1040s that is) the book was very well received since it fit the political upheaval in Soviet Union so well.

The book is about a bunch of barn animals taking over the farm from the "opressive humans" only to find that themselves more opressed by their own chosen animal-leaders. Its about grab of power by the 'power hungry pig" from the pig with the vision. Its about use of squealer to smear reality and implanting false stories. Its about all the dumb animals gettings a raw deal no matter who is in-charge. For example, the horse, who worked so hard to make the windmill is sent to the pound when he gets disabled.

In my mind, what gives this book such timeless validation is my own assessment of the way some of the regimes in the political arena or in the work forces play out. And those who are currently a part of the work force, would realize that, once in a while, you end up working for a company run by some of the totalitarian regimes …Lehman Brother’s, for example … This book will give you a great feel of how the assortment of human behaviors pans out due to that and how they react to the dictum of the power! It explains how the power grab games are played? Who helps perpetuate the fear? How simple minded “animals” end up in the pound once their useful life is over?

Read it and you would know what I’m talking about.