The Web Beneath The Waves : And Other Reports From Our Tangled World | Hardcover

The Web Beneath the Waves: And Other Reports from Our Tangled World by Samanth Subramanian brings together fifteen years of reporting and reflection across subjects ranging from history, politics and culture to technology, language and sport. The essays examine unexpected questions about the world, including who controls the undersea cables that carry internet traffic, why languages disappear and how personal and political choices shape societies.

Drawing on deep reportage and wide-ranging curiosity, the collection moves across countries, communities and periods, connecting stories of corruption, privilege, conflict, heartbreak and hope. It offers readers varied perspectives on subjects that are often overlooked, from Nigerian Jews and Sri Lankan land reclamation to India's quizzing culture and the rivalry between hand-dryer and paper-towel companies.

About This Book

The essays in this collection span a broad range of topics and locations. Some look back at how young Indians viewed their newly independent country in 1967, while others investigate the paths that led two wealthy Sri Lankan brothers towards becoming suicide bombers.

Subramanian also turns his attention to more specialised questions, examining the language of cricket, the disappearance of languages and the infrastructure behind modern digital communication. The undersea cables that carry internet traffic provide a particularly revealing subject for considering the systems that connect the contemporary world.

Across these different reports, the collection combines detailed journalism with empathy and curiosity. The result is a multifaceted portrait built from stories that cross geographical, cultural and historical boundaries.

What You'll Discover

• Fifteen years of reporting and reflection across diverse subjects.
• Young Indians' perspectives on their country in 1967.
• The story of two Sri Lankan brothers who became suicide bombers.
• The language and culture surrounding the description of batsmen.
• The forces contributing to the disappearance of languages.
• The competition between hand-dryer and paper-towel companies.
• The undersea cables carrying internet connections around the world.
• Underreported stories involving Nigerian Jews and Singaporean land reclamation.

Perfect For

• Readers interested in long-form journalism and investigative reporting.
• Readers who enjoy essays spanning history, culture, politics and technology.
• Readers curious about underreported stories from around the world.
• Readers interested in contemporary society and global affairs.

Why You'll Love This Book

The Web Beneath the Waves: And Other Reports from Our Tangled World brings together varied pieces of journalism to examine how seemingly unrelated stories connect to the larger world around us. Samanth Subramanian's collection offers an informed and wide-ranging look at people, systems, cultures and events through detailed reporting and reflection.