I always loved my little brother. He was cute, clever and smart. His charm was unlike anything I had ever seen — admired by everyone in our house, in our neighbourhood, by every stranger who crossed his path. Our father was occupied with his many duties. Our mother spent her days by his side supporting him....

The temple he promised as a child — do you know how long it took to build?

I had been stationed in Alexandria for three weeks when the order came. We were to escort a carpet to Caesar's quarters. A carpet. Rolled tight. Two servants carrying it between them as if it weighed nothing. I was not told what was inside. I stood at the door while they unrolled it on the floor in...

Every painting ever made of her was painted after her death. Nobody alive today knows what she actually looked like.

I had seen many Indians come through this office. Most kept their heads down. They answered questions quickly and left without making eye contact. It was simply how things were. This one was different from the moment he walked in. He was young. Slight. Unremarkable in appearance. He wore a suit that had been pressed with great...

He never held a political office. He never commanded an army. So how exactly did he win?