India Books

This is simply put one of the best books I have ever read. Half of the reason is of course the topic - Mohandas Gandhi, who is one of the most important religious persons to have lived. The other half is that it is well-written, packed with information, and by an accomplished author. While Fischer's shorter book, "Gandhi: His life and message" is more concise and also a triumph, anyone who has read it or is a Gandhi enthusiast should acquire a copy of this book and read it.

This particular biography of the Mahatama is insightful and powerfully written. Fischer analyses Gandhi in a way that allows you to discover Gandhi for yourself and see connections between the world in which Gandhi lived and the man he became. It provides numerous insights that Gandhi's own humility may not have allowed him in his own autobiography. It does start out kind of slow, but Fischer's analysis of Gandhi picks up momentum after the first few chapters and becomes a page turner. Highly inspiring for those who want to further understand Gandhi's views and see them in relation to the world. Highly recommended!

Louis Fischer does his subject justice with a fine account of Gandhi's life. Despite the long duration of the Mahatma's struggle, the author keeps the book interesting pretty much throughout. Fischer's two first hand accounts of his meetings with Gandhi serve as a plesent break in the course of the book, giving it greater life, as well as providing a more personal insight into Gandhi. Thankfully the author remains well clear of blind adoration for the man, highlighting both his flaws and weaknesses. The only short coming is that the book was written before the rise of M.L. King and Nelson Mandela, thus fails to address the full influence Gandhi had and will have beyond India. Overall, I whole heartedly recommend this book of such an important subject, which was also the inspiration for the film.

This is a concise but pretty good guide of Delhi, and I used it a lot during a long stay in this city, which in my opinion is much more interesting than many tourists think. The maps at the end are very useful. However, if you have to spend a good deal of time in Delhi, what you should really get is Delhi's "Eicher City Guide", which is just splendid. It's like a higher quality "eyewitness" guide of Delhi. Hundreds of excellent picture, a lot of historical information, and amazingly detailed city maps at the end. Eicher's maps cover the whole city (which is huge) and not just the tousist spots, so they can be immensely useful if you have to stay in Delhi for a long period. Eicher is unfortunately pretty old, and difficult to find in the US, but it's worth looking for it. It should not be difficult to find it in India (where it is published) for a fairly low price. My advice is to have both Eicher and the latest Lonely Planet guides.

My daughter and I referred to this book constantly during our recent travel to India. We found it to be extremely useful, full of information that we needed, without having to sift through information that we didn't need. I highly recommend this book to anyone traveling to India on a trip that includes visits to Delhi and Agra.

nother reliable guide by the folks at Lonely Planet.
The Delhi guide provides a good introduction to Delhi with a good review of history and culture.
It covers all the key highlights in the Delhi area and the places to stay and eat have good recommendations. However the restaurant, shopping and entertainment listings are a bit out of date now. It is impossible to keep listings accurate in a place as chaotic as India, where many of the best places to eat are roadside stalls. The excursions section focuses mostly on Agra and Jaipur. For someone who wants to travel around using Delhi as a base, the LP North India guidebook may be more useful as it has most of the Delhi information but includes more comprehensive material on Rajasthan and the Indian Himalayan areas. The maps are good but lack detail because most maps only show the main roads while often many interesting places are found in alleyways and small lanes. This guide ( like the LP series) is budgert minded which is a good thing but many of Delhi's better restaurants and entertainment are in the upscale hotels.
Very useful to the independent traveler who wants to spend some time in Delhi ( on a budget)

If you know where you want to go then I would agree with the above reviewer- a guidebook will tell you about nearby sites and how to get there and for that you can get by without an atlas. But for those who want to explore a particular region- how else are you going to plot an itinerary? This atlas is fully indexed by place, and also by beaches, capes & headlands, caves, forts, islands, mountians & passes, rivers, lakes, & bays, ruins and temples. And no matter how good a guidebook- only an atlas like this will assure you that you haven't missed anything of interest whereever you happen to be.

Map Scale is 4cm = 50K (1.5" = 31 miles)

For security reasons (I'm told) quality maps are not easy to find in India- and rarely for sale.

While working on an on-going university research project I have spent five years driving the back roads of India. This book has saved my sanity as well as my tires and axles. It is by far and away the most helpful road atlas available.

The maps are better than what most Indians have ever seen in their lives, which is exactly why travellers don't need it. If you are taking public transport around the country, you get plenty of information about how to go where from LP India or from information at train stations, bus stations and other travellers. It simply isn't worth the excess weight (in a rucksack). If on the other hand you are cycling or have your own motorized vehicle, this would be irreplacable (so be careful who you show it to).

As an American who's lived in India and is married into an Indian family, I appreciate Indian recipes that actually taste authentic, but also recipes that are clearly written for non-Indian cooks. We don't all have access to an Indian grocery store around the corner. This cookbook often gives ideas for substitutions that are easy to come by, without lessening the quality or impact of the recipe. The recipes also don't assume you know something that possibly every Indian knows, but most non-Indians do not - the author is great at throwing light on different techniques.

As a vegetarian, I find it indispensable for helping me figure out what to do when I open my refrigerator or pantry, find that I have only enough quantities of two random vegetables, I look in the index and BAM! there are 3 recipes using those two random vegetables, and each is fantastic. I can truly say I've never hit a bad recipe in the entire book, and I've tried very many of them. And her notes on each recipe, which follow her travels in India, are fascinating reading. A must have!

This book is outstanding in both the quality of the recipes and the description of the background behind the recipes. Don't worry about having no connection to Lord Krishna, this book is a must-have for anyone who just wants to make wonderful dishes based on vegetables and legumes.

I grew up with a lot of Indian cookbooks in the house - none of which ever produced things that tasted like what we got in restaurants. This cookbook is fantastic - not only extremely extensive, but with totally delicious (and familiar) results. I really appreciated learning how to make flavorful charred vegetables (like Baingan Bartha), and having recipes for Lassi and Naan that came out just like I craved. I also appreciated the completeness - there are frequently several methods of preparation offered - for instance, there are instructions for wild yeast, commercial yeast, or sourdough Naan. Some of the recipes are a little on the salty side, but the only total disaster I encountered from this book was something where you steam and chill a cauliflower and then slather it in avocado spread. That was a little weird. That's just my palate, though. The only thing missing is a recipe for chai.

A very well written, concise account of an amazing life whose owner did not lose her moral purpose and convictions. Very funny in parts, full of insight and vivd descriptions of early life in Bhopal. Very engaging and hard to put down. The author focusses on interesting and revealing anecdotes.

Princess Abida Sultan was a great woman; she still lives on in the hearts of the people she touched and the people of Karachi, the city she choose as her home.
She was a educated and learned person, who studied both worldly and religious subjects.
She is an example for the Muslim women of the world, who want to follow their religion properly and do great things as well.
She did great things, beating men while doing so!
What a woman!
Salutes and Cheers for her.

When saw this book I didn't know much about Princess Abida Sultaan but the photograph of a young princess with a sword on the cover attracted my attention initially. Princess Abida Sultaan was the heir apparent to the Muslim princely state of Bhopal in India before the creation of Pakistan. This is one princess who walked away from a life of luxury to follow the ideals set out for the newly created state of Pakistan.
As I started to read the book I couldn't keep it down. A truly amazing life led by this independent, strong willed, woman at a time and in a culture where it was not expected of her. I read in awe of this remarkable woman's life - a devoted mother first, then a stateswoman, a sports woman, a hunter and a pilot. A woman truly at peace with her culture and yet smart and open to change. I was particularly impressed by her honesty about her life - whether it came to the failure of her short marriage or any doubt she had while leaving Bhopal for a rough start in a new country where she had no roots.
I gained a lot of respect for this woman through her memoirs but I also felt deeply saddened by the fact that all her great skills, experience and talents were never fully put to use in Pakistan and recognized. She doesn't sound bitter about this lack of use of her innate abilities and her training as the heir apparent of the princely state of Bhopal after her move to Pakistan.
This book should be required text for all classes of South Asian history and women's studies. Its about time the Western world's image of Muslim women and South Asian women in particular be elevated from silk claden exotic creatures who only served a role to please and reproduce heirs.
I do regret never having the opportunity to meet an icon of an era and a generation such as Princess Abida.

The first thing that distinguishes this book from other past-life regression methods is that the suggestion given to the individual was not to go and revisit past life, but rather simply to "go back to the origin of the problem".

The book begins with Irene Hickmans' assistant (a hypnotist) who couldn't accept the idea of past lives, giving suggestion to the client to go back to the origin of the problem, and the hypnotist becoming bewildered with the client finding herself in another lifetime.

The cases described in this book are both informative and utterly entertaining to read. It is the most wonderful book on past-life regression.

I am certified as a hypnotherapist and have used Mind Probe - Hypnosis, as a guide for getting to client's difficulties without being invasive. Ms. Hickman's work is so clear and simple in its approach, all that has to be done is to review the material in her book once in a while, to be able to help clients with problems no one else seems to get through.

If ever there was a book that took away the veil of mysticism in getting into the inner reaches of the subconscious, in a safe and non-invasive way, this is the only book needed.

John J. Murray CHT

As a Certified Hypnotherapist I have read several books on the subject. Dr Hickman's method is simple straight forward and I use it on a regular basis when dealing with PLR. I highly recommend this book to hypnotherapists as well as those with an interest in past life issues.

Moments with a Master accomplishes exactly what her author sets out to do. It provides the reader with a collage of her interviews with Dada Vaswani, the spiritual head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, a non-profit, humanitarian service organization based in Pune, India. In doing so, she introduces the reader to a well-respected spiritual teacher, and embarks on an introspective journey that refreshes the soul.

Young spiritual seekers will find this book extremely relevant. Nankani poses the questions we have always wanted to ask on a variety of topics - finding the right partner, dealing with death and illness, peer pressure, compassionate living. Her approach to these topics, however, is far from cliched. She seeks from Dada not only the "whys" of spiritual practices but also the "hows." In the process, Nankani's conversations with Dada relate Indian spirituality to modern, American life and effectively capture the universality and timelessness of Dada's philosophy.

Inspiring. Honest. Relevant. Refreshing. Moments with a Master might just provide the answers you were looking for.

For everyone struggling with which way to turn on their own spiritual path, this book provides insight into topics such as living a disciplined lifestyle, relating better with our parents, treating others and ourselves with respect and nonviolence, dealing with the demands of the outside world, and listening to our voices within. Weaving her own personal story with the teachings of a spiritual master, Nankani writes about such lofty issues as coping with life, and coping with death, in a way we can all access. Without judging, Nankani presents Dada's (and her own) quest for enlightenment through stories and parables so familiar that it seems like we have read them before. We feel the "magnetic" presence of Dada as Nankani recounts their moments together. Wherever you are on your own personal spiritual journey, this book is an excellent tool to help you figure out your next step.

The unusual way the author combines interview and diary makes this book so much more than transcribed lessons. Dada is a brilliant spiritual teacher whose experience and study enable him to offer simple, powerful insights leading to a path of peace and growth. Reading this book is sometimes like being in class with our favorite professor. However, sitting beside us is our friend Sandhya. She asks the questions troubling her mind and ours. When the lessons end, Sandhya takes us with her to the dining hall and the courtyard where we observe Dada and learn from his example. We stand close by as Dada interacts with his family, studies with his teacher, and cares for children and the less fortunate.

I've been interested in spirituality and religious teachings for a while. I have encountered many (not all) of the concepts in this book over the years. But the daily grind brings our thoughts down to the mundane. Reading this book helped me pick my head up and I recommend it to anyone who needs such a refresher. If you or someone you know has never thought much about the big questions, this book will be life changing. In a pleasant, short read, Dada will inspire you to turn life's challenges into opportunities for service and growth.

The best parts of this book are (a) a very clear description of a number of control methods which can be used in practice; (b) very useful survey of macroeconomic models which can be used in practice. The application on India is very useful for deleopmnent planners and researchers. There are many books on useless methods which in practice can not work, but this book is a very exception. Every methods explained here are original and work in practice.

The best parts of this book are (a) a very clear description of a number of control methods which can be used in practice; (b) very useful survey of macroeconomic models which can be used in practice. The application on India is very useful for deleopmnent planners and researchers. There are many books on useless methods which in practice can not work, but this book is a very exception. Every methods explained here are original and work in practice.

The book consists of the following chapters: 1. India's Economic Scene and the Behaviours of the Monetary-Financial Instruments; 2. Methods of Optimal Control; 3. Recent Advances in Macroeconomic Policy Analysis ands the Analytical Structure of the Control Model 4. Estimation and Analysis of the Model 5. Analysis of the Result of the Control System.

I have read this book before in the original Indian edition. This new edition by Blue Dove Press is a definite improvement. The book is a true work of love by the author, Richard Schiffman, who is a devotee of Jillellamudi Mother and spent several years with her. I too am her devotee as well as one of Sathya Sai Baba's. The inspiration for my looking her way - for which I am eternally grateful - came principally from Richard's wonderful book. In the past, I have given and lent copies to others on the spiritual path. Many of them were extremely devoted to their gurus and reluctant to read about other holy beings. Nevertheless, literally everyone who read this book was truly inspired, and many insisted that their friends read "Mother of All" as well. Books with this kind of power and ability to transmit the love of God are rare and should be treasured.

I have had several remarkable personal experiences with Mother including being put into a state of bliss lasting over three hours resulting from just a half a second glance at one of her photographs. Jillellamudi Mother, though not well known even in India, seems to have been an Avatar of Adi Shakti, the primordial creative power - truly, the Divine Mother and the mother of us all. To say that such a being is rare is an understatement, and not to find out more about her would be unwise. To be able to look her way with love and an open heart would be a great blessing. Many high souls have said that the path to God realization always goes through the Divine Mother. That's why this book is such a gift to the seeker.

Even though I have never seen Mother in the flesh, when I think of her or see her picture, I feel tremendous longing and tears come to my eyes. With her, teachings and practice don't matter. Of course, it is a good thing to know her life story, but her very being engenders tremendous love - no real need for details. I feel she is my true mother and always has been. Spend a little time thinking of her or concentrating on her picture and you can't help but feel the love which she so perfectly embodies. We are all her children.

There is no better introduction to the Jillellamudi Mother than Richard Schiffman's book, and few books give such heartfelt glimpses into how wonderful the Divine Mother aspect of the Godhead can be.

An enjoyable read giving insight into a very inspirational figure. I found the insights Richard gained from Jillellamudi Mother to really help clarify and broaden my own view of what healing is and, also, it was great to read an account of someone who truly lived with a very high awareness of what I will call here, for the sake of simplicity, nondual 'truths' or Awareness of Love.

I have just completed reading this remarkable book. Though I have not been to India or been her devotee, I feel in some way I am now just from experiencing the loving writing of Richard Schiffman. I feel in some way I have opened up more to experiencing things in a non dualistic way. Thank you Richard, thank you Amma

Dr. Stone's book does much to lead her readers to come and know the Mother Teresa of these qualities; a holiness that was rooted in joy, humility that was rooted in an openness to all God asks of her, and a humor that never allowed her to take herself too seriously. This book leads us through the journey of Mother Teresa's life when the dream of the young girl to be a missionary folds into "the pencil in God's hand" that comes to write God's loving signature on the minds and hearts of millions throughout much of the twentyth century. Father Michael Mannion, former chaplain of the Catholic University, Washington, D. C.

The material is very moving and deep seated. I am not a deeply religious person, but this book has touched me. Elaine Stone presented facts about Mother Theresa of which the average person has no knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Virginia S. King, secretary NLAPW Inc, Cape Canaveral Branch

Elaine Murray Stone has the rare ability of bringing our saints and heroes to life. It is good to see her "Mother Teresa" living vividly in her pages, and so soon after that great saint's death. Perhaps we needed a princess and a saint, and how extra-ordinary that they died the same week. But Elaine Stone writes not about a dead saint, but a vibrantly living one, and in a style suited for both student and teacher. This is a beautifully crafted biography, and a needed one. It will be around for a long time. Madeliene L'Engle Newberry Award author