India Books

Also available in a hardcover format (0970766211, $26.95), Gary Worthington's India Fortunes is an impressively written novel of political struggle and a hunt for treasure spanning centuries of East Indian history. Colorfully and dramatically presented, offering a compelling and original tale of clashing tensions, enhanced with reflections on profound events of history, and revealing the corruptive and seductive lure of power, India Fortunes is an absorbing and superbly written historical saga. Also highly recommended is Gary Worthington's previous novel, India Treasures.

A sweeping tale that covers a govern-ment's quest for the treasures of a previous regime, told through parallel flashbacks of the treasure's concealment. Strong writing, sympathetic characters, and a thoroughly intriguing location make this a book to seek on the shelves.

I'm very glad I purchased this beautiful book. The pictures inside are breathtaking and show the true essence of India: its colour, its poverty and that joy of life so typical of this wonderful country.

My congrats to the author.

All I can say is, WOW.

This book is a breathtaking spectacle of color, textures, emotions, and INTELLIGENCE. What I mean is, this just isn't a book of random photographs...these are exquisitely beautiful, intelligent photographs. The fact that the pictures have been taken in India makes it more exotic and adds a bit of spice to the already obvious mysticism.

I can't say I'm a professional at photograpgy, but even i can see the classiness of this piece of art. If you love photos, exotic cultures, or even a bit of sensitivity in photographs, this book is definitely a recommended buy.

Signing off,

Secret Agent Booker

This is a wonderful, landmark book. Ypma successfully reinterprets traditional Indian design for modern contemporary living. The book provides knowledgeable updates on various Indian craft traditions (sectioned cleanly into distinct chapters)and traces the historical roots from which these traditions have evolved. Perfectly straddles the ancient and the contemporary without stereotyping India. The pictures are great but what really sets this book apart is the accompanying text which is nothing short of illuminating. A great introduction for those interested in Indian design as it is practiced today.

I wish it was available in a larger format, as the limited space does just so much justice to the vibrant colors, moods, and designs of India. But it is a fantastic introduction, and is packed with some of the best quotes you can find on the topic....

I have never cooked Indian before and bought this cookbook on the recommendation of my friend, who owns it. It's fantastic! The recipes are well explained, the pictures are great, and there is much variety in this book. This book is an excellent introduction to Indian cooking, within 5 days of owning this book I made a feast based on the recipes for some friends and dinner was a hit! I highly recommend this.

This is my favorite of Shehzad Husain's cookbooks. The recipes are, as of yet, all delicious and taste very "authentic" (as validated by one of my best friends who is an instructor for Indian Cooking). Has a great variety of recipes from meats, veg, Indian pickles, side dishes, etc. Definitely a great book if you can find a copy, you won't be disappointed!

This is not fun to read. In fact it's extremely depressing. But, you'll never find anyone more knowledgeable on the subject than Larson. I have him as one of my professors. The book is full of information. So, if you are looking for an interesting book to read this is not it. But, if you need to study India... this is it.

If you want to know about modern India's plight over religion and politics, than this is the book for you. This book gives the history of India's religion including the British takeover and most importantly India's building of its own government. It outlines India's inherent conflict with its nonsecular values in a secularized world. Larson shows with vivid examples the inseparable intricacy of politics and religion in India. In the end Larson gives his ideas about resolutions for India's conflict between radical Hinduism and radical secularization.

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If you want to get a good grasp of India's nuclear force structure and policies then I suggest you read this book cover to cover.

This is a scholarly work full of a lot of Information, arguments backed by solid reasoning and superb constructive criticism.

The author himself is an authority on South Asian Security issues. He is also the advisor of Robert Blackwill(US Ambassador to India).

The author puts himself in the shoes of an Indian and attempts to go an extra mile to explain the threats to India's National Security particularly from India's nuclear neighbors.

The book is organized into 6 chapters and deals with the issue from various angles (Domestic politics, military, National Economic performance and Contemporary International trends in the field of Nuclear Arms control).

Out of the 6 chapters Chapters 4 and 5 are of foremost importance. Towards a Force-in-Being(I) and (II).

The book consists 19 figures and 11 maps. But the maps of India are not shown properly(particularly J&K, PoK and Aksai China).

The discussion of India's SSN/SSBN program(ATV)(pp 573-581) is very interesting so is an analysis of Chinese threat & capabilities.

It also brings up several significant issues that need to be addressed such as the Nuclear Doctrine.

All in all this book is for you !

Happy Reading !

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This is a very interesting & scholarly work. The author himself is an authority on South Asian Security issues. He is also the advisor of Robert Blackwill(US Ambassador to India).

The book is organized into six chapters and deals with the issue from various angles including but not limited to Military/National Security, Economic, political and contemporary International trends in Arms control/Non Proliferation.

The author puts himself in the shoes of an Indian and attempts to go an extra mile to explain the threats to India's National Security particularly from India's nuclear neighbors.

Chapters 4 & 5 are the most important ones. Towards a Force In Being I & II. In these chapters the author describes how India's nuclear force is taking shape.

The discussion of Chinese capabilities and threats (pp 58-75) is interesting so is the coverage of India's SSN/SSBN program (ATV) pp 573-581.

All in all this book is for you.
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Those who pick up the book 'India', an illustrated History, will be very satisfied as it gives an excellent overview of the significant historical facts and challenges that have shaped the current India. With an informative and scholarly text the book gives a wonderful glimpse into the beauty and sohistication of the rich cultural traditions and heritage of India. This concise book about India, a collaborative work of the mother-daughter team, Prem Kishore and Anuradha Kishore Ganpati is truly engaging. Their work focuses passionately on the theme of the imagination and the institutionalized structures that speak about the colonial and the independant India. It is quick and easy reading!!!. Pick it up!!!.

Reading Prem Kishore and Anuradha Kishore Ganpati's book, India an Illustrated History, brought back to my mind the days when I started reading Indian History for a University degree many years ago. While carrying a burden of unusually heavy textbooks, I searched in vain for a simple and accurate introductory book like this, to serve as a first foundation for my studies.
Indian culture is an intricate mosaic, blending millions of variegated political and socio-economic elements into a living mandala. In presenting this procession of dramatic events, extending over 5000 years, in only 235 pages, without disturbing its vibrant harmony, the authors have demonstrated a very high level of erudition and a unique genius. Congratulations.

Dr. Lionel Maithri Perera
Ex-United Nations Consultant in Human Resources

Stuart Cary Welch is THE acknowledged expert on Indian art. This is probably the best and most important introduction to the subject. There are nearly 200 colour pages and the text is informative without presuming too much knowledge in the reader. There is a good glossary and index plus selected bibliography for each chapter which deals with art from each selected period. I so badly wanted this book to add to my Moghul/Rajastan book collection that I ordered it directly from Mapin Publishing Pvt, Ahmedabad, India. They shipped it + 2 others airmail to Australia without charging me the full postage. This book should be on EVERYONE'S coffee table because it's beautiful and enlightening and stimulating and gorgeous and, well, just THE BEST BOOK on Indian art

"India: Art and Culture 1300-1900" is actually a 478-page catalogue for the exhibition "INDIA !" held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rather than call it a catalogue, which can sometimes conjure up a negative image and diminish the importance of this effort, it would be more appropriate and accurate to call this a definitive tome on Indian Art. This specialized book presents three hundred thirty-three works representing Indian art from fourteenth through the nineteenth century. Author's love for art and his expertise are very obvious to the reader in the scholarly text and references accompanying each piece of work. Recipedelights.com thinks that this book is perfect for libraries, professional artists, art students, art lovers or Indian art buffs.

I have just start reading this book & it's very interesting,useful & a very good helper for beginners.At the same time it is a very good referance book.Some topics in this book are real nice & helpful for eg.The Mauryan period,South India,Islamic India & Jain,Rajasthani & Pahari painting.This famous book provides the widest available range of illustrated topics on art in all it's aspects.But there is something in this book which is still missing & i can not find out that what is missing?still it's a very good book for the beginners like me & i love to take refarences from this book & to use it as a course book in fine art in my college.That's only what i can say about this lovely,useful & great book.And i like to say thanks to the authur of this book that is ROY C. CRAVEN for writing such a lovely & useful book for all the art lovers.

This is an excellent overview of Indian art for beginners. It takes you through the major periods and styles, and concisely explains why each artistic/architectural development is significant.

This was one of the most fascinating books I have ever read, and I've read thousands. The author wrote beautifully, with such vibrant descriptions it was almost like being there. I've often wondered what it would be like to have lived in a village in Punjab during that period of time. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in rural Indian lifestyles.

I read it about 12 years ago so I'm kind of rusty about it but I recall it was a super book. The true story of an amazing gutsy British lady who gets involved with a Sikh Nihang (temple guard) in India and their subsequent adventures. This book is a real sleeper for those of us who enjoy cross-cultural and travel writing. Highly recommended. I wonder what the author is doing now?