UPDATE: First Sikh Book Club – Sikhs in Britain: The Making of a Community
UPDATE: Both authors – Dr. Tatla and Dr. Gurharpal Singh – said that they will participate in some capacity in our first book club. A number of well-known bloggers from some prominent websites have expressed interest as well. ORDER YOUR BOOK NOW! Only 1 week before we begin!
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Coblogged: Jodha and Mewa Singh
What we are about to suggest, to our knowledge has never been done before.
We are initiating the first TLH web-wide Sikh Book Club. At this point we are not sure of the frequency as we will gauge the interest from this first attempt.
What are we suggesting?
For the first book of our book club, we are suggesting a simultaneous reading of Gurharpal Singh and Darshan Singh Tatla’s Sikhs in Britain: The Making of a Community.
The two of us – Jodha and Mewa Singh – will facilitate the discussion (unless we can find someone better!). We plan to invite the authors as well as some prominent Sikh activists in our community. We hope Sikhs from all across the globe (especially UK Sikhs) will participate. Please feel free to invite others as well!
The Book:
Over the years we have read numerous academic books on the Sikhs and their history and the works of Gurharpal Singh and Darshan Singh Tatla have always been amongst our favorites. Thus, it was with great excitement that we see these two professors collaborating together. Both have an intimate knowledge of the Sikh community in England and we can think of few others that would be more able to write such a tome. This book, although focused on our brethren and sistren(?) in the UK, will provide us an avenue to delve into that section of our community, but we hope to broaden the conversation to understand other sections of our Sikh diaspora.
The Format:
Both of us – Jodha and Mewa Singh – will summarize the chapters and then pose some discussion questions. We will not post our comments in the actual blog post and will only leave ‘comments’ just like everyone else. The comments will be moderated to make sure they are stay on the subject of the book and its contents. If you have any suggestions for the format, please provide them!
Every week we will read a few chapters and engage in a “close-reading” of those chapters. Make sure you keep up!
- Part 1 (November 3) – Chapter 1 (The Sikhs of the Punjab) + Chapter 2 (Punjabi Society and Sikh Migration)
- Part 2 (November 10) – Chapter 3 (Settlement, Demography and Social Profile) + Chapter 4 (Gurdwaras and Community Building)
- Part 3 (November 17) – Chapter 5 (‘Homeland Politics’: Class Identity and Party) + Chapter 6 (British Multiculturalism and Sikhs)
- Part 4 (November 24) – Chapter 7 (Employment and Education) + Chapter 8 (Family, Gender, and Sexuality)
- Part 5 (December 1) – Chapter 9 (Punjabi, Bhangra and Youth Identities) + Conclusion
- Part 6 (December 8 ) – Closing Comments/Thoughts
What you need to do:
- Order the book ASAP. Don’t delay as we are going to begin in two weeks. Order it today. I have the Indian reprint and it is quite a bit cheaper than the original print. Although the book is a bit pricy ($25-$35), it will definitely be a much-referenced addition to your library. Here are links for Borders, Half.com, Barnes & Nobles, and a few other websites as well. If you are a student, check your library. If you find it for cheaper, share the link with everyone else.
- Invite others and help us spread the word!
- If you are going to participate, leave a short introduction here in the comment section and let us know that you plan to take part.
- Be ready in 2 weeks!
36 Responses to “UPDATE: First Sikh Book Club – Sikhs in Britain: The Making of a Community”
cool idea!
cool idea!
Great idea guys
I am certainly up for this
Amandeep
Great idea guys
I am certainly up for this
Amandeep
Glad to have you aboard Amandeep. As a sidenote, like so many other young Sikhs, your "Warrior Saints" still occupies a prominent place in my library. Also, please do invite other people from the UK and beyond that you believe will be interested.
We hope other people are considering joining us. Please leave a message.
We received confirmation today from Dr. Gurharpal Singh that he will participate in some capacity. He has been so kind to offer us a lengthy reply about our comments, criticisms, and questions at our conclusion. We hope to hear from Dr. Tatla as well.
Glad to have you aboard Amandeep. As a sidenote, like so many other young Sikhs, your “Warrior Saints” still occupies a prominent place in my library. Also, please do invite other people from the UK and beyond that you believe will be interested.
We hope other people are considering joining us. Please leave a message.
We received confirmation today from Dr. Gurharpal Singh that he will participate in some capacity. He has been so kind to offer us a lengthy reply about our comments, criticisms, and questions at our conclusion. We hope to hear from Dr. Tatla as well.
Warrior Saints is fantastic, I cherish my copy.
Warrior Saints is fantastic, I cherish my copy.
It's a very good book indeed.
It’s a very good book indeed.
Now everyone is talking about the American economy and eclections, nice to read something different. Eugene
Now everyone is talking about the American economy and eclections, nice to read something different. Eugene
Dear All
I read this excellent book last year (and had the privledge of hearing Prof Singh speak). Although it is an 'academic' text, it is highly readable, with perceptive, thought-provoking and sensitive analysis. The interpretation of the 2001 Census and the conclusions drawn make particularly interesting reading. It is a missed opportunity that no Sikh body has used this research evidence to plan, shape and inform their vision, policy and intervention. Along with Peter Bance's Sikhs in Britain, it is the definative text charting the social and political history of Sikhs and Sikhism in the UK. Would love to participate in any discussion and recommend you all to read this.
Dear All
I read this excellent book last year (and had the privledge of hearing Prof Singh speak). Although it is an ‘academic’ text, it is highly readable, with perceptive, thought-provoking and sensitive analysis. The interpretation of the 2001 Census and the conclusions drawn make particularly interesting reading. It is a missed opportunity that no Sikh body has used this research evidence to plan, shape and inform their vision, policy and intervention. Along with Peter Bance’s Sikhs in Britain, it is the definative text charting the social and political history of Sikhs and Sikhism in the UK. Would love to participate in any discussion and recommend you all to read this.
I am seriously considering joining the book club, but I wonder whether I'm too late…ordering the book itself would take much time.
When is the exact date you will be starting?
Best,
JTS
J.T.Singh, The first discussion is planned for November 3rd. While you wait for your book to arrive perhaps you could see if your local library carries a copy?
I am seriously considering joining the book club, but I wonder whether I’m too late…ordering the book itself would take much time.
When is the exact date you will be starting?
Best,
JTS
J.T.Singh, The first discussion is planned for November 3rd. While you wait for your book to arrive perhaps you could see if your local library carries a copy?
Great initiative and look forward to participating even though I would be travelling during the period to UK & USA.I have the book signed by Prof. Gurharpal himself. Darshan is a tireless researcher on Sikh Diaspora and his work at the Diaspora Institute in Jallandhar is commendable. Although my interest is in Sikh Diaspora on lesser known locales e.g. Latin America,Pacific Islands,Iceland,Europe (help needed on contacts in these places to follow up my research) -www.sikhglobalvillage.com.
All the very best and I look forward to participating and spreading the word around. Swarn Singh Kahlon,Chandigarh, India.
Great initiative and look forward to participating even though I would be travelling during the period to UK & USA.I have the book signed by Prof. Gurharpal himself. Darshan is a tireless researcher on Sikh Diaspora and his work at the Diaspora Institute in Jallandhar is commendable. Although my interest is in Sikh Diaspora on lesser known locales e.g. Latin America,Pacific Islands,Iceland,Europe (help needed on contacts in these places to follow up my research)-www.sikhglobalvillage.com.
All the very best and I look forward to participating and spreading the word around. Swarn Singh Kahlon,Chandigarh, India.
I would very much like to participate in the discussion on Sikhs in Britain as it is a very comprehensive, objective and thought provoking analysis of one of the most visible and least known UK minorities.
Tom Lyne
I would very much like to participate in the discussion on Sikhs in Britain as it is a very comprehensive, objective and thought provoking analysis of one of the most visible and least known UK minorities.
Tom Lyne
JTSingh you can also view the first few chapters of the book on Google Book Search. Not the whole book but at least some of the chapters.
JTSingh you can also view the first few chapters of the book on Google Book Search. Not the whole book but at least some of the chapters.
[…] First off, our sincere apologies. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this could not be published on Monday. The rest of the days will go along much better. Also, bear with us as we will get better as we go along. So Ji Aayan Nu and welcome to TLH’s 1st Book Club […]
Great initiative!! We have added links your book club on our blog our the Sikh Book Club we are starting in Boston, Massachusetts. More information at: http://www.sikhbookclub.wordpress.com
This particular blog posting (intro or #720) hasn't been added to the category of book-club on your blog. So far, it is only the part 1 and 2 that open up under the category of book club from the drop down and visitors may miss the "intro" posting.
Good luck
Sarbjeet Singh
Great initiative!! We have added links your book club on our blog our the Sikh Book Club we are starting in Boston, Massachusetts. More information at: http://www.sikhbookclub.wordpress.com
This particular blog posting (intro or #720) hasn’t been added to the category of book-club on your blog. So far, it is only the part 1 and 2 that open up under the category of book club from the drop down and visitors may miss the “intro” posting.
Good luck
Sarbjeet Singh
Thank you Sarbjeet Singh, error noted and fixed!
Thank you Sarbjeet Singh, error noted and fixed!
[…] Part 2 Part 1 Introduction […]
[…] Previous Coverage: Part 3 Part 2 Part 1 Intro […]
Here is a resource where you can add books to your book club . Literally thousands of books here
Online Books On Sikh History
Books on Sikh Gurdwaras
Books On Life and Teachings of Sikh Gurus
Here is a resource where you can add books to your book club . Literally thousands of books here
Online Books On Sikh History
Books on Sikh Gurdwaras
Books On Life and Teachings of Sikh Gurus
Beautiful
Beautiful
[…] has been nearly four years since we last attempted this. Back then, we attempted TLH’s very first […]