This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and award-winning writer Pankaj Mishra.They discuss several of Pankaj’s books, including From the Ruins of Empire: The Intellectuals Who Remade Asia and An End To Suffering: The Buddha In The World, and his motivations behind them. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, The Weight of History, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:I. A Different Perspective - Unknown intellectuals and overlooked worldviewsII. Demanding a Response - Reacting to an existential challengeIII. Inseparable Factors? - Capitalism, imperialism and modernityIV. East and West - A meaningful distinction?V. Discovering Buddhism - Transcending false stereotypesVI. Personal Examinations - Growing up Western in the EastVII. At an Impasse - The end of an experimentVIII. Learning From the Past - The benefits of increased historical understandingAbout Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.