Ashoka The Great

by Wytze Keuning

Book Summary of Ashoka The Great
Ashoka The Great chronicles the life of Emperor Ashoka. It is a fictional biography and more accurately can be called historical fiction. The original Dutch version was a trilogy, published separately in three volumes. The trilogy was written between 1937-1947 by a Dutch scholar Wytze Keuning in Groningen in the Netherlands. These three volumes Ashoka: The Wild Prince, Book I, Ashoka: The Wise Ruler, Book II and Ashoka: The World's Great Teacher, Book III are now brought together and presented in this single volume Ashoka The Great.

The book is an exhilarating, spiritually edifying and deeply moving story of one of India's greatest emperors. It recreates the life and times of the Mauryas with an authenticity that is remarkable.

The book presents a plausible vision of the past balanced by a captivating story. It is said that a great book if it is to endure cannot do without profound ideas. Keuning perfectly fuses facts and thoughts, Mauryan customs and mores, life and reflection on the meaning of life as seen through the vision of Ashoka's gurus and the history of personal influences upon Ashoka that marked his rule and legacy. This and more makes it a rare and distinguished book.

About the Author
Wytze Keuning (Author) was a Schoolteacher and Headmaster of a primary school in the Netherlands since 1897, when, in 1937, he decided to dedicate his further career to writing the historical biography of Ashoka. The three-volume biography was published between 1941 and 1948. He died in 1957.

Elisabeth Steur (Translator) worked as a Child Psychologist between 1962 and 1995 and was fascinated by Keuning's book and her experiences in the surroundings of one of India's great spiritual masters in the late eighties. She took upon herself the task to make these forgotten books available to the Indian reader by taking care of the translation after her retirement.

Genres: History, India, Philosophy, Biography, Buddhism, Religion

1080 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Anshul Punetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Magnum Opus" and " Tour de force" are tired cliches, but they describe this book down to the last page.

It seemed that writing this book had truly been the author's sole purpose in life, one that he has done complete justice to.

Mr Keuning, a Dutch school teacher, wrote this book in the 1930s, during the period of WW II. He quit his job to dedicate himself to the task. He never visited India. And there was no internet for his research. None of these have proved to be drawbacks to the quality of the story told.

This one big fat book was actually three books, which span the 40+ years of Ashoka's kingship.

Starting with the young Ashoka's quest to find solutions to prevalent social inequities, even as he realizes that the great Mauryan empire faces the risk of decay if his older half brother succeeds their father, the trilogy successfully transports the reader into that age, and makes one root for Ashoka as he sets about becoming the greatest emperor of ancient times.

Daily life, its challenges, the changing seasons, the mysteries of our great Vedic literature, Ashoka's characterisation, his thought processes, his arguments on Buddhism - all these and more are described in such lavish detail - that it seems Mr Keuning had witnessed these events himself, that this book could not just be the output of a well read, researched and highly creative imagination.

I believe that the hallmark of great historical fiction is that it leaves the reader wondering where fact ended and fiction began.
This book is one that does exactly that.

And I wonder if there is someone out there who will make this into a film? Or a television series ?

Because this book carries the messages of two great individuals - Gautam Buddha, and Ashoka - messages that remain relevant even today.

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This magnum opus written on Ashoka more than 70 years ago originally in dutch and was lost to time when it was accidentally discovered by Ms. Steur who resurrected the dutch trilogy as a single edition in English bringing the rich tale to us. Like I said this was originally a trilogy but now it's a single huge volume well over 1000 pages.

Book 1 tells the story of young Ashoka who is learning to rule and is also worried about the future of the vast empire which should I rule go to the eldest son sumana but he is not fit for being a king as he is not of strong will and through him the brahmins want to rule.

Book 2 tells the story of Ashoka's assent to the throne and the fights he has to fight and how those fights change his life going forward.

Book 3 tells the story of Ashoka as the world's teacher who is trying to spread the message of peace and Buddha to the entire world.

Like most I was also kind of skeptical about books written by a Dutch author who never visited India but as I started reading my doubts disappeared too. I had this book for many years before I decided to read it and that decision was made while I was listening to a podcast on Ancient India and when it started on the story of Ashoka I finally decided to read this and since then it took me almost a year to finish this book only because it was left unattended for many days on end due to it's huge size but it was always a pleasure to read.

And finally I employed my hybrid method of listening and reading the book as and when feasible and was soon able to finish this wonderful book in all its glory. Like others have also said there is only one word of define the story in these pages and that word is 'Magnum Opus'.

I know this is big book but you can definitely add this beast of a book to your TBR and read and then just Keep on Reading.

[Anonymous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical-fiction
I applaud the imagination of the Dutch teacher who authored the original series, however i just wonder how was he able to picture so much to present this intricate tale.
This book answers why do they refer Ashoka as great and why they're a handful of them in history to be referred so. Ashoka, Akbar and so on. Even still I've never heard/read Chandragupta II or Krishnadevaraya as the great. A common aspect between Ashoka and Akbar is their religious tolerance, ref. Shul-i-kul and Dhamma and sara of all.
Sanjeev Sanyal in Ocean of Churn presents a different notion of Ashoka contrary to the edicts, inscriptions found mentioning Devanampiya Piyadasi. The Kalinga war around 262BCE he writes, to have been occured after the conversion of the king to Buddhism challenging the popular notion that the gore in the war transformed him (Chandashoka to Dharmashoka). He believes Ashoka was a cruel ruler and all the works are eulogized in his favour and i found this work under that theme. However, due to inconclusive evidences from the era we're unsure and would have to give scholars the benefit of doubt.
Despite all, i commend the level of imagination the author put in creation of this masterpiece.

[Sucharita Paul Tiwari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.25

[Bluesshaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been very curious about Ashoka. Scratch that. I'm fascinated by this personage we know as Ashoka. And Keuning's tale is fascinating. He really brings to life the era, the people, the emperor, the royal court, the machinations, the strife. The story telling is compelling. When I wasn't immersed for hours on end, I stole minutes through the days to read the book. It's 1039 pages long so it took a while. :) But hey, I seem to prefer large books. There's little history in it, of course. And painting the characters in such black and white terms did bother me a bit. I managed to make concessions for the outdated spiel about Aryans, considering the time period this was written in. On hindsight, midway through the book, the glorification (read near-apotheosis) of the protagonist did start to grate and took away some of the sheen off an otherwise terrific read. That said, if you're interested in reading some riveting fiction constructed around some of the events in Ashoka's life, you'll enjoy this one. Recommended if you're a history nut like me.

[Rahul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating
As name suggests it is great book to read...nowhere you can find the author is Dutch it is written in such a lucid language and sanskrit words r used in many places.....
The book covers life of extra ordinary life of "Ashoka" in depth...still somewhere i find book is inconsistent...many facts r ignored about his brutality...The book actually consist 3-books thats why its 1080 pages...but once u started reading u ll lose count as its engrossing.....
hail maurya dynasty :)

[Akhil Shaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashoka The great:

It was quite a few years back that I was fascinated with the name and persona of India's ancient emperor A'shoka: The one without sorrow. My search for him ended up at this great book written at the time of WW-II by Wytze Keuning which was actually a trilogy. Yeah, we have read superficially about Ashoka throughout our history books, seen him during our prime-time surfings through the channels and even in Bollywood; which I am pretty much sure that Ashoka at his time being from the present Bihar would not have possessed any resemblance to Shah Rukh Khan at all.

It is a wonderfully depicted fictional biography, more accurately a historical fiction. I had my own reservations when I came to know that Keuning was a Dutch writer and how he could do justice with the narration of a culture and geopolitical scenario which was so much 'eastern' to some one like him at his times. But turned out it was all futile ones and at times I was flabbergasted by his knowledge about India, its culture, and its philosophies. The story is not just about a great king whose life choices greatly influenced the world history but also about the struggles of any spiritual seeker, in whatever point of the space-time continuum. Ashoka's quest and moral dilemmas are as much alive now as they were in his days, and the writer has done full justice portraying his inner conflicts and questions. This indeed is going to be a keeper. Heil Ashoka.

[Adit Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a masterpiece. It is by far the best historical fiction I've ever read. Running over a 1000 pages, it gives a detailed account of Ashoka's life - right from his youth till his end days. Facts are blended so well with fiction that everything seems real. The book is well researched and well written. In spite of being voluminous, it's a complete page turner that builds up the story at the right pace without sacrificing character details. Highly recommended!!

[Saumit Deshpande · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pace of the story was too slow for my liking. Even after having a fond interest in Indian history, I could not complete this book. The author mentions too many trivial details and this affects the progression of the story. A reader may have to read several pages before witnessing any real progression in the story.

[Enrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some wonderful reviews, so I would invite any potential reader to go ahead and read them. On the surface, it’s a fictionalized account of the life and times of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka who presided over an empire that spanned from present day Afghanistan to present day Bangladesh including most of the Indian Subcontinent. However, in substance, it’s a philosophical discussion on the different religions of the time, and mostly on Brahmanism vis-à-vis Buddhism. The fact that makes Ashoka a unique historical political figure is his search for an end of war and a way that would allow all humanity, not just a chosen few, to evolve into a more enlightened community. Rather than building self-aggrandizing monuments to his military might and superior character and seeking to spread and impose his culture and his tribe over others via military conquest, Ashoka did the exact opposite. He sought and found a "philosophy" (in this case philosophy seems a rather more appropriate term than religion) that gave everybody, regardless of class or gender, caste in this case, including animals, a way to live fruitful and content lives: Buddhism. He declared one national language: Pali, to give cohesion to his Empire and to facilitate the propagation of his "philosophy." Moreover, he built and funded monasteries and stupas all over his Empire to achieve the same end. Finally, he literally built monuments dedicated solely to publication of his edicts which were nothing more than public expressions of his views and "philosophy," none of which ever made reference to him as Ashoka. In the end, he even sent missions to his neighbors carrying his “philosophy” in the hope of enlightening not only his subjects but as much of humanity as possible.

As I finish reading this book, it has become clear to me, and everybody else who can read and think, that the present World seems bound to another Jihad-Holy War of International and potentially catastrophic proportions. Within this context, Ashoka, rather than a sage political figure that lived over 2000 years ago, seems almost like a man from a more intelligent, considered, dare I say it, enlightened future.

[Joydeep Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially I was skeptical on how a Dutch writer who has never visited India, has probably read about Ashoka, the greatest Indian emperor, in books would be able to write about him... As I read through the first few pages of this magnum opus, all my doubts were expelled and I was simply hooked on to the book. I normally get to read during the hour long commute to and from work in the Mumbai locals, and carrying a 1000 page book daily is also a bit daunting... however, these were the two hours of the day that I would look forward to, to settle down with the book. It opened my eyes to the vastness of the Mauryan dynasty in India, and the life of Ashoka.. For any lover of history, it's definitely worth a read, as Wytze Keuning has been able to fictionalize and add drama and pace to chapters of history. The only other magnum opus that I loved reading was The Lord of the Rings.. As a Buddhaphile who has been to Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Nalanda etc, the descriptions and context in the book were absolutely relate-able. The 3rd book, where Ashoka converts to Buddhism and his efforts to bring peace across the length and breadth of India was according to me the best.. all in all, I would recommend this to anyone who likes history, or fiction, or both or to anyone who wants to know about the glorious past of Aryavarta's rulers..

[Tushar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 describes Ashoka has the young ruler feared by his brothers and Book 2 discusses the wise ruler. Who goes to war with his half brother, wins the throne and then the people. The Kalinga war is opened to a new perspective. Was Ashoka already a buddhist partially before the war broke out and was the war with Kalinga actually a necessity, and that too a black one. Whatever the case may be, the man is a wonderful character sketch for any king. Ashoka was one of the 2 greatest kings India has even seen, the second one separated by 1600 years yet the thought process is so same. The edicts were a brilliant idea and still live today. Wish to see them someday and remember how great a man was he and his greatness.

[Virendra Bhati · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to know about great ashoka.

[வானதி வானதி · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most surprising thing about this book is its author. I couldn't get over the fact that , a school teacher from Netherlands, during the Nazi occupation of the country - managed to write a magnum opus about Ashoka - may be using the limited resources he had at that time.

That was the easy part - writing about Ashoka and Buddhism. There may have been resources available nearby - but some of the details about the landscapes of India and the customs are written with such detail that it is next to impossible for him to get those details without visiting the country. Like the place he describes the ladies wearing Jasmine and the effect it has on the men - that is a detail he cannot have imagined or read in some book on Buddhism.

That aside, the book 'Ashoka' is actually a collection of three volumes of a detailed history of Ashoka and his transformation from a wild prince to a great teacher. There are mostly elements of known history mixed with a healthy dose of fiction is what makes the book an interesting read.

My interest in Ashoka aka Devanam piyadassi (as he referred himself) - comes from the fascinating detective story of how his name was recovered from the bins of lost memory and made into a household name again. That is interesting enough. The real Ashoka, by his deeds and inscriptions, speaks a language which has not been spoken by any ruler in any country in the past 2000+ years since he died. That is awesomeness (and a little sad commentary on out history itself!).

The book takes the main stories of Ashoka's rise to power, his conversion to Buddhism and finally the last days of his life tormented by the loss of his chosen successor. The three incidents form the core of the three volumes of the book.

The book puts Ashoka as the rock against the Brahminical religion of his days and the brahmin priests who controlled and used it to extract money and power from the ordinary folks and the Kshatriyas as well. His antagonism starts with the support of the brahmin court for Sumana, his elder and contender to the throne. Bimbisara is trying his best not to plunge the country into a civil war, which is what happens the moment he dies.

Ashoka has the people's support - mainly due to his opposition to the brahmins of the court and the fact that he employs the shudras in multitudes to check this power. The struggle lasts long till his death and he loses many a friends and family to this struggle. Wytze is scathing in his critique of the customs of this old world - many of which survived (sati, child marriages etc) till the British put an end to it and some still survive in different parts of the country.

Ashoka's love for women comes forth in the first two volumes as he falls in love wherever he travels and add many a queens into his palace. Though he marries multiple times, his relations with Ashanthimitta, Devi and Karuvagi are special. His fall , when it happens in his old age, comes through another queen - Tisharakshita, who plots with the brahmins and makes the crown prince blind.

Wytze makes Ashoka a Buddhist before the Kalinga war takes place. The war is only the tipping point for Ashoka to renounce all violence - he does revert back to it when handling the Tisharakshita's treachery and burns her alive for her act.

There are episodes explaining the story and philosophy of the buddhist teachings in full. The edicts of Ashoka - along with his construction projects all across the landscape of India makes for interesting reading.

While a lot of fictional elements are added in terms of the people or the acts that are taking place, the story remains in essence the story of Ashoka and never deviates from it.

The fact that the first translation appeared after 60+ years of the original book and that it was published only now, makes for interesting read itself. Think anything Ashoka has that element of mystery associated with it - even this book.

[Suyash Mallik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the first part of this book - the Wild Prince. It can be divided in two halves - the first is action movie-esque, lionizing Ashoka's virtues, but a sane, sober portrayal overall. The second half is where it gets truly interesting, with deep discussions with sages, kings and traders - what I'll remember this book for.

Remarkable how someone in the Netherlands could write in such detail about a society so separated from his own in distance and time. But then again, perhaps it was not so different - what with the rise of similar injustices which were happening around him at the time. Yet, I wouldn't go so far as to say Keuning truly "got" what it means to be a part of Indian society.

Through Ashoka he showed an perspective steeped in Western values, highlighting the irrationalities of society at the time, surely exaggerating and taking flights of fancy at times. No problem there - this is a work of fiction. I would love to read further and see how Buddhism shaped Ashoka's rule and life.

[Martein Joaquim]

Watch movie of ashoka 2001 & serial

[Sharad Todi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing retelling of a time which is not well documented. Amazed at the writer's curiosity behind imagining and creating a story of a world totally alien to him and at a time totally unknown to us all.
I was probably expecting something other than how this book is written so didn't enjoy it that much. Would anyway recommend this to anyone wanting to read an epic-like tale.

[Vishnu Aiyappan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are others who are more eloquent in their description of this book but let me say it as such. If ever you needed to read a book that would make you feel for another long forgotten king then this is it. Furthermore the high ideals that this kind strove for are ideals hard to keep to even now. It brings newfound respect to the symbols that are left of this great king.

[Sreejith Sreekumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful,sober,long...

It is an intriguing fact in itself that in a world order that was so tremulous,the author could make a detailed and precise story which satisfies,the history student as well as the literary enthusiast.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik was zo'n 22 jaar geleden helemaal weg van het eerste deel van deze trilogie, vandaar de waardering. Geen idee of herlezing hetzelfde effect zou oproepen...

[Jheelam Nodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

বইটা রিভিউ করার আগে এটি রচিত হবার পটভূমি নিয়ে আগে কিছু বলা দরকার। মূল বইটি ১৯৩৭ থেকে ১৯৪৭ সালের মধ্যে ডাচ ভাষায় লেখা একটি ট্রিলজি। দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধের ভয়াবহ প্রেক্ষাপটে, নাৎসিদের অমানবিকতা দেখে বিপরযস্ত লেখক সম্রাট অশোকের জীবনাদর্শে উদ্ধুদ্ধ হয়ে এই বইটা লেখা শুরু করেন, অথচ এর আগে তার এই উপমহাদেশ সম্পকে কোন ধারনাই ছিল না। এইটা তার লেখা প্রথম ও শেষ বই এবং এই বই রচনার মাধ্যমে লেখক তার মানসিক শান্তি খুঁজে পেয়েছিলেন। ১৯৬৭ সালে অনুবাদক এই বিস্মৃতপ্রায় ট্রিলজিটা খুঁজে পান এবং ইংরেজি ভাষায় সবার সামনে নিয়ে আসেন।
এবার আসি মূল রিভিউতে। এই বইটা মূলত সম্রাট অশোকের এক জীবনীও বলা যায়। শুরু হয় কিশোর অশোকের নিজের কুৎসিত চেহারার কারণে তার প্রেমিকা দ্বারা প্রত্যাখাত হবার মাধ্যমে। এর পরে একে একে প্রবেশ করে তার বড় ভাই সুমনের সাথে সিংহাসন নিয়ে দ্বন্দ্ব, প্রাসাদ রাজনীতি, পিতা বিন্দুসারের সাথে সম্পক, ব্রাহ্মণ্যবাদ আর তার সাথে বাড়তে থাকা কিশোর অশোকের দ্বন্দ্ব, আর প্রথম অংশ শেষ হয় কৌশলে সিংহাসন ছিনিয়ে নেবার মাধ্যমে। দ্বিতীয় অংশে দেখি সম্রাট অশোককে যিনি কিনা সিংহাসনের জন্য নিজের ভাইদের হত্যা করেন, ক্ষমতা বিস্তারের জন্য হাজার হাজার প্রান নেন কলিঙ্গ যুদ্ধে, আর সেই ভয়াবহ স্মৃতি তাকে তাড়া করে ফেরে, তাই বুদ্ধের শান্তির বানীর ছায়াতলে আশ্রয় নেন তিনি। আর শেষ অংশে দেখি ইতিহাস বিখ্যাত অশোকে, যিনি শান্তির বানীতে জয় করেছেন কোটি কোটি মন, কিন্তু তার আপাত শান্তিময় নীতিকে দুর্বলতা ভাবে কেঊ, কিন্ত রাজধর্মও পালন করেন তিনি, যার মূল্য দিতে হয় তার প্রিয় পুত্র কুনালকে। আর বৌদ্ধধর্ম আর হিন্দুধর্মের মধ্যেকার বিরোধ চরমে ওঠে। হয়ত সে��ান থেকেই মৌর্য সাম্রাজ্যে পতনের বীজ রোপিত হয়। একথা ভেবে আশ্চর্য লাগে যে লেখক শুধুমাত্র গবেষনার দ্বারা প্রাচীন ভারতকে জীবন্ত করে তুলেছেন পাতায় পাতায়। তাই সম্রাট অশোকও হয়ে উঠেছেন রক্ত-মাংসের মানুষ। তৎকালীন ব্রাহ্মণ্যবাদ ও কুসংস্কারাচ্ছন্ন সমাজকেও অত্যন্ত সুন্দরভাবে জীবন্ত করে তুলেছেন, সাথে সম্রাট অশোকের দার্শনিক চিন্তাধারাকেও। এমনকি অপ্রধান চরিত্ররাও সমান গুরুত্ব পেয়েছে। সাথে অশোকের ব্যক্তিজীবনের মধ্যেও গভীরভাবে আমাদের টেনে নিয়ে যান লেখক। এককথায় একটা ঐতিহাসিক ম্যাগনাম ওপাস।
তবে কিছু জায়গায় লেখক মূল গল্প থেকে দূরে চলে যান, বিশেষ করে দ্বিতীয় অংশে, আবার দার্শনিক আলোচনা করতে গিয়ে আরো অন্যান্য বিষয়ের অবতরনা করেন যা মাঝে মাঝে গল্পের গতিকে ধীর করে দিয়েছে। অবশ্য আমি সেই জায়গাগুলি বাদ দিয়ে সামনে আগানোতে সমস্যাটা একটু কম লেগেছে। আর বইটা পুরানো ধরনের ডাচ ভাষায় লেখা, অনুবাদটাও একটু পুরানো ধরনের ইংরেজিতে তাই পড়তে গিয়ে বেশ কস্ট পেয়েছি।
এরপরেও এক মহান সম্রাট আর তার সময়কে জানতে এই বইয়ের জুড়ি নেই। কিছু সময়ের জন্য পাঠকে প্রাচীন ভারতের পথে পথে নিয়ে যাবার মত একটা বই।

[Nishant Bhagat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book.

The history of how this book is even more amazing than the subject itself. The original was a trilogy, written in Dutch in the 1930s by the author. I am amazed how he managed his research in those days. From the content of the book that while reading for material on Ashoka, he imbibed the spiritual understanding of the 2 religions, Hinduism & Buddhism. A big thanks to the translator for finding this treasure and then taking the effort to reproduce it in a single book in a global language.

I had always wondered about the time after the Kalinga war. How did Ashoka manage to balance the path of the Buddha with that of managing a Kingdom. Somehow, as an adult that look like a very difficult balancing act. The last part of this book does a good job in trying to explore that but didn't satisfy me as much. I wish the translator had edited a little more. I feel this book could have been tighter by 150 pages or so.

All in all a fabulous book on one of the greatest kings to have lived in our history. I would highly recommend this book not only because it is great historical fiction, but it is also a spiritual journey.

[Manish Khurana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A three-part book. Exhilarating, dull, exhilarating. That’s how I can describe this amazing piece of historical fiction on one of the greatest rulers of all time – Ashoka. The fictional portrayal is as mesmerizing and inspiring as his real life - how he was once a ruthless, powerful yet a just king to how he transformed into a peaceful, compassionate and an even wise emperor.

The author has done a great job of translating this from the originally published Dutch version into an exquisite English account, occasionally garnishing it with Sanskrit words to lend an authentic experience. However, I felt that there were unwarranted details at some places. Nevertheless, a splendid work overall… So much so that it left a void at its conclusion.

[Ashish Malhotra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashoka the great ruler

Its not an easy task to translate this book, i must admit it and to understand the profoundness of his thoughts that describe in the book is far superior to the readers like me.
I need to read again and again, like, brain storming, for me to understand what "ashoka" actually looking for.

[PAVAN V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lesson from Great Emperor Conveyed Beautifully

Even though there are certain contradictions from wikipedia and other sources, still it's an wonderful book to consider reading about Ashoka the great king

[Krishnapreeya Gokulakrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good novel with lot of facts. A must read book.but it gets boring at some chapters and has very long narration and supporting stories which takes diversion from the main topic. Demands patience but the book is worth the effort.

[Atul Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book.every one should read it 1 time

[Veer Desai]

Super and nice

[Charitha Reddy]

...

[Abhishek Maheshwari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written.