India Books

I first read this book just after it was first published some 50 years ago. It was, I recall, a pleasure to read then and doubly so to re-read the account of Corbett's adventures again today. Jim Corbett's somewhat matter-of fact, understated style is a delight to read and his simple yet vivid descriptions of the Indian locale and the people, who play a part in his story are those of a man that loves and deeply understands this land and its people. Corbett is no wanton destroyer of wildlife but a protector of impoverished and often terrified communities who understands and explains with sympathy, why the prey he hunted were forced to become what they were.

Any book by Jim Corbett is an interesting read. Although, nowadays, big game hunting is a thing of the past (I reckon), yet it is through the eyes of the author that the reader can seamlessly go back to the times when it was not so.

The stories are beautifully detailed in their descriptions of the expeditions, the customs of the hill folks, their traditions, courage, and (some interesting) superstitions. More often than not while reading the book, I have wondered whether whether I would know what happens in the end because of some absolutely incredible situations and circumstances described.

HOW THIS MAN COULD MOVE THROUGH THE JUNGLE SO EASILY I DON'T KNOW..HE MUST HAVE HAD BAZOOMAS LIKE BASKETBALLS...LOL

In a few words Jim Corbett can transport you back 60-100 years & make you feel like you are right there beside him tracking a Tiger in India. There is no bravado, he comes across as very humble. I had read his "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" several years ago & thought it was without a doubt one of the best books I had ever read. Even knowing how good his books were I was still highly impressed with this book as well. It isn't just the tigers he describes but the whole Indian country-side & the people & animals that habitat the place. He takes you there. Don't hesitate to read one of his books.

Once again in this book Jim Corbett has proved it, he was a awesome incredible gentleman. I have never seen anyone who could write like him. Amazing man with amazing courage. His modesty is revealed throughout his book. He goes through so much suffering and pain, but never once writes about it. From his book you can feel how much concern he had for people. People trusted him with with their lives. His book teaches us a lot about jungles. I would recommend this to anyone who likes animals. Once again Jim Corbett you were and still are the best writes of adventures.

Love, love, love this book! I wish Patty had more books out there!

I've read a lot of Christian fiction, and this book had me hooked very early on. I couldn't believe how soon the action started. There's nothing to wade through before the adventure takes off. The storyline and characters are so compelling that, I know it's cliche, but I really couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed the exotic setting and the romance, but what really shines through is a Christian faith that stands up in the face of anything.

Patty Metzer was from my home town. I only met her once, briefly, but her death was a loss to the community and a loss to the world of Christian fiction.

What first caught my attention was the cover which immediately brought to mind the picture of Taj Mahal. Then I read the book. To say Patty Metzer is an amazing author is an understatement. This book was wonderful. The prince was gorgeous and the heroine, for once was intelligent and thankfully not to much so. In most christian romance books, the hero and heroine don't seem to be attracted physically to each other, but this book has all the spine-tingling tidbits that will give you the idea that characters are attracted to each other.
I love the Indian setting. It lent the storyline a sultry exotic setting. The characters were intriguing and so was the plot line. Although I thik the Prince's character was a little to bratty and arrogant, it worked well for the plot line because he showed the right emotions at the right time.
All in all, it was a great read and I would recommend it for anyone who wants romance that does not contain Hentai( japanese, for well you know..)Good job Patty!

(...)

I absolutley love to read and have read many, many Christian fictions. This one is one of the best ever. It has a little of everything. Suspense, adventure, love, etc. Once you get started, you will find it hard to put this book down. Metzer is a truley gifted author.

I am a VERY avid reader of inspirational fiction - having read literally hundreds of titles over the past few years. Among so many books, this one stands out as one of my absolute favorites. If you love exotic settings, touching romance, and intriguing suspense, you can't go wrong with this one. (Clearly I thoroughly disagree with one of the other more critical reviews listed...) More importantly, however, is the author's focus on faith - the message is truly inspired. Kudos to Patty Metzer - especially considering the hardships she's endured in her own life. I so hope to see more books from her in the near future.

Sai Grafio's prophetic, intellectual, and psychic power
all proceed from his Spirit, a Spirit which has through
many many lives unveiled his universal compassion.

He has told his students that in 2012 DNA will expand from
2 to 12 strands, that we must go beyond not only identification
with the body, the feelings, and the mind, but beyond also
identification with our souls.. to realize that we are God.

When he does an astrology chart, he gazes upon it as upon a
mandala, goes into a trance, and gives readings from that
perspective.

He is very aware that God can change the effects of any chart,
once the individual has grasped its lessons.

The Zero State has been called by some tara, (Sanskrit for
the void), by others Divine Mother, Tao, or the power of
emptiness.

He describes this state from the unique perspective of
his lives as a philosopher, leader, and meditater.

This book is excellent not only because it provides the reader with much information that is hard to come by in the spiritual readings of today but also because it connects the truths explained by sages of every culture clearly. It contains a wealth of information about man's position in the universe.

Outstanding book on spirituality and metaphysics. The author has an excellent underingstanding of spiritual laws. The glossary at the end of the book is helpful in understanding the meanings of the sanskrit words. I highly recommend this book to any serious student of metaphysics

An easy to follow reference into some of the most interesting phenomenon known to man. A must read for anyone who has ever asked the questions why? or how?.....

The information I found in "Mysteries: Ancient and Modern" taps into the profound spiritual wisdom of the Eastern and Western cultures and their philosophies.
Yoga and the Vedanta of India, the teachings of Chinese Master
Lao-Tse, Karma, Zen, Ascention, The trinity and even Astrolgical influences, plus much more.
This book contains a vast amount of knowledge for those seeking to better understand life and its meaning.

For those who look for interconnection with God and themselves and particularly are not tied with one specific spiritual tradition.

"Path to the Soul" is an intriguing and informative book on the relationship and cohesion between Eastern spiritual philosophies and Western psychiatric knowledge. It offers insight to its readers on methods to traverse that path, and ways to enhance that journey. This book is spiritually based, with the emphasis on growth of individual spirit. Psychiatric analysis is brought in to show how spiritual and psychological principles correlate in the path to the soul. Dr. Bedi has taken a complex topic and presented it in a way that is inviting, informative and detailed, yet not overly burdened with vocabulary that might challenge the average reader.Path to the Soul is an enlightening, informative, and inspirational look at the necessity and ability of each of us to examine ourselves as physical, mental and spiritual beings. It invites us to honor each part of our journey as a step toward greater freedom and connection with our souls and our Higher Spirit. The book easily transitions between psychological and spiritual discussions. Interspersed throughout are examples of patients to illustrate how he uses these foundations for his patient's well being. Dr. Bedi really connects the interlocking of the psychological and spiritual features present in each of us. He shows how they are not separate but cohesive; and how both need tending, particularly by those in the West, where we have been entrenched in a clinical, scientific frame of mind.

I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist or a psychoanalyst. I am a theoretical physicist. I have read Ashok Bedi's book Path to Soul carefully and critically. First, let us be clear as to what this book in not: Path to Soul is not preachy, it is not New Age-ish, it is not a sermon of enlightened guru to his/her obedient disciples, it is not a chicken soup for ... book. Path to Soul is a labor of love. It is thoroughly rooted in experience of a long and highly successful practice of a working physician-psychiatrist. The writer is classically trained in Western medical, psychiatric and Jungian psychoanalytic sciences in USA, England and India. The book clearly betrays the writer's deep insight and vast experience in expertly applying these Western approaches to problems of mental and psychological health. By the time I had read the third chapter, I realized that the author has unknowingly stumbled upon a fundamental truth - the complementarity principle of the being and becoming of human psyche. This is the exact psychological parallel of Neil Bohr's famous principle of complementarity in physics that wave and particle are two mutually exclusive manifestations of the one and same entity. However, in the realm of human psyche, this principle works with one crucial difference that the two aspects of our being and becoming are not only never mutually exclusive, but on the exact contrary they are inseparable just as clouds are inseparable from rain and sun is inseparable from light. The author, it appears from his book, in his years and years of long practice felt that "he was walking on one foot" and wondering "where is the other foot", and in his heart-felt search found the lost twin - the missing spiritual aspect of our souls, and hence the book. The book is thoroughly grounded in solid, practical experience in treating patients. The author clearly shows how the intuitive, innate and spiritual inseparably, intrinsically and integrally complements the intellectual, analytic and dialectical. The book respects the readers, it talks with them, not at them. The ideas, feelings and approaches are genuine, authentic and honest. The book is definitely a labor of love, and distillation of critical, hard-headed research, experience, insight and inner struggle. The deftness and clarity with which the author elucidates Yoga, Chakra, Mandala and other delicate Hindu concepts and their application to problems of our mental and psychological health and peace are truly remarkable. Though in all this the physician is never lost. The author - again unknowingly - shows that the classical Hegelian pattern of thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis is not always valid. The author has genuinely synthesized the western and eastern in a seamless whole. For those who want to fully self-actualize, and are looking for a genuine, authentic, unpretentious canonical path, Path to Soul is it.

In Path to the soul Dr. Ashok Bedi has put together a marvelous companion for the person seeking a journey of self-discovery. Readers will immediately be drawn into the careful and thoughtful merging of eastern and western wisdom and they will experience the power this wisdom holds for healing. Using a Hindu template rich in philosophy and spiritual guidance Dr. Bedi sets forth a map for spiritual wholeness that resonates to the seeker in each of us. Employing the absolute best of what current western medicine and psychological thinking have to offer, he weaves a personal program that promises meaning, fulfillment and personal freedom. Each Chapter is an introduction into a world of philosophies and ideas that call for individual action. At the end of each chapter Dr. Bedi challenges us to ask ourselves questions that will lead us deeper into our search or our "true self." He illuminates the connection between physical and emotional pain showing us how spiritual confusion and bankruptcy are part of the overall dis-ease we often feel at different points in our lives. His case illustrations are excellent examples of how ordinary people have sought to find themselves using the methods subscribed to in this text.

Path to the soul stretches beyond the confines of a self-help book. Self help books so often tell us what we need to do to be better, to get "fixed". They imply we are bad and need to "get good". Dr. Bedi's approach assumes that the reader is good and merely struggling, seeking, to get better, to find more, to connect in even deeper ways. To connect beyond themselves to others and to the community in which they live. He emphasizes the goodness of the unique soul into which we are born and then helps the reader construct an individualized program that develops their Karmic Self to it fullest possible potential. He offers a holistiac way of being in the new millenium. I recommend it highly.

In the wake of the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 I read, once again, a little gem of a book - "Path to the Soul" by my friend and colleague, Dr. Ashok Bedi.
Like almost every other American that day, I sat stunned, watching the horrifying images unfold on my TV screen. I experienced the entire gamut of emotions from anger and fear, to shocked helplessness and frustration.
As it has in the past, the book helped. I found myself wondering, however, how and why it helped and came to an obvious answer. Dr. Bedi's book is ultimately about restoring balance - the physical, psychological, and spiritual balance that is so important to help us actualize what Dr. Bedi refers to as our "Dharmic potential".

A psychopharmacologist by expertise, I often see challenging, seriously ill patients in whom I employ medications to correct imbalances of the neurochemical transmitters in their brains. At the same time, these patients rarely improve without an understanding of why they have developed these symptoms in the first place, and how imprudent or inappropriate choices have disconnected them from their ability to understand their emotions. Dr. Bedi explains in a way that is readily understandable and comprehensive, the ancient and ageless concepts of Maya, Karma, and Dharma. He explains how physical and psychological symptoms can be seen not only as symbols, but as "whispers from our souls" that actually point the way to a deeper understanding of ourselves, and ultimately, to Moksha or liberation.

What Dr. Bedi has done is unique. He has combined Jungian psychoanalytic insight with his own finely-honed clinical intuition. He has then added his own blend of Christian and Hindu spiritual wisdom to provide a truly integrated approach to treatment. He has described the seven Chakras of Kundalini Yoga and illustrated, with actual clinical vignettes, how Karmic complexes can obscure our pathway to the soul, and can be reconfigured towards Dharma.

The ultimate test of any meaningful art or science is whether it truly helps us to experience the world in a different way than we did before. In this endeavor, Dr. Bedi has succeeded admirably.
Every time I peruse those pages I look at my patients with a new insight and understanding. I also have increased understanding of my own fears, doubts, dreams and life events.

This book invites and facilitates the kind of simple but profound clarity of thought that helps us cope. It is the path to an island of peace in the turbulent, chaotic ocean of life, as we know it today.

Paul Scott's following is small, but Loyal. He is a fantastic writer. The Raj Quartet by far, is my favourite favourite series of books by him because of its complexity and such extraordinary characters. His charactres are so indepth, so well played out that the reader feels that he or she knows them thouroughly. Its a historical epic, very well written, and its absolutely a must read.

About 25 years ago I got a list of the best 100 books of all time, and found "The Raj Quartet" by Paul Scott listed. I started at the beginning with "The Jewel in the Crown" and got bogged down. Coincidentally, PBS started its Masterpiece Theatre version. I watched a few of the episodes (actually all of them, eventually) and got back to reading. What I discovered was the best set of novels I've ever read, and each one an individual "jewel" as well. A pebble thrown, the towers of silence, and many other images stay with me, as well as the memory of Scott's beautiful writing and well-developed, complex characters, and the scope and importance of the story. If there wasn't so much else to read, I'd reread the whole set--sounds like a good retirement project some day.

My yardstick for excellent writing about a foreign culture is probably Paul Scott's "The Raj Quartet", which was the basis for the BBC TV series "The Jewel in the Crown". I think these four books are a real tour de force - he writes in several different voices throughout, but remains - I think - completely sensitive to the political and social complexities and subtleties of the situation in India towards the end of the British occupation. Very nuanced, extraordinarily sensitive writing.

It's not just the writing: the stories that unfold in this masterpiece will draw you in, grip you, and break your heart.

This book (or series of books) is so sprawling and intricate, like India itself, one might say, that it is impossible to "pin down", as it were, in a review like this. The thing to do, I think, is to cover the most salient aspects of the work separately. Otherwise, one will become lost, as many of the characters herein do. So, salient aspect numbers:

1.) History - This is the novelistic equivalent of Gibbon concerning the British Empire. It might even be called "The Decline and Fall of The British Empire." As a reviewer for the Sunday Times puts it, "A history student years from now should be able to say to his professor, `Yes, but what was it REALLY like in India in the last days of the Raj?' and be told, `Read these four books and you'll not only know, you'll understand...' " The "understand" part is especially significant in that these books will have you totally spellbound by Scott's deft character portrayal and psychological insight. It is no exaggeration to say that one feels one has lived in India from 1939-1947 after having emerged from the nearly two-thousand pages that comprise this work. But the deft character portrayal leads me to a more troublesome, salient point:

2.) Ronald Merrick-A host of characters populate this work, portrayed with deep sympathy herein. And yet, one can't help but feel, upon closing the pages, that the work might also be called, "Ronald Merrick: An in-depth Portrait of a Psychotic in India". It is a tribute to Paul Scott that we do not discover the depths of the....evil (Sorry, I can't think of another word that fully encompasses the character.) of Merrick until the tag end of the work. Yes, Hari Kumar is the other major character who, to a certain extent, offsets Merrick. But he fades into the background after his interrogation by Nigel Rowan with Lady Manners looking on in the second book, The Day of the Scorpion. Merrick, so to speak, stays on until the very bitter end. Not only does he stay on, but he lingers in the mind. What is he? What does he represent? The British Raj itself, as some would have it? Partly, I would say, but there is something about Scott's obsession with this fellow that refuses to be pigeonholed. It's all very eerie. By the end of the book, you won't be able to hear the word "Merrick" without a troubling frisson running through you. - He is not mad like, say, Susan Layton, who rather resembles a character from one of the Bronte novels. - His nature and the nature of his evil are complex. They defy reduction. So, I shan't venture on a futile quest to do so but rather come to salient point:

3.) The brooding fatalism that overhangs everything here. Of course, one knows before one picks the book up that the Brits in India are doomed. But, well, I'll just let Daphne Manners' quote from the first book, The Jewel in the Crown, give the reader notice of the feeling that permeates this work:

"We were sitting on the verandah. Oh, everything was there - the wicker chairs, the table with the tea tray on it, the scent of the flowers, the scent of India, the air of certainty, of perpetuity; but, as well, the odd sense of none of it happening at all because it had begun wrong and continued wrong, and so was already ended, and was wrong even in its ending, because its ending, for me, was unreal and remote, and yet total in its envelopment, as if it had already turned itself into a beginning. Such constant hope we suffer from!"

Salient points covered...except that the reader might do worse than to do as Perron does at the end and look up Philoctetes, not a futile quest by any means.

It has been too long since I read this book [probably 15 years ago] for me to offer an erudite and detailed analysis. But I do remember vividly that when I read it that the word "masterpiece" came repeatedly to my mind. In a league with Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" and Naipaul's "A House for Mr. Biswas". Find the time to read it; you won't regret it.

Originally published in 1995, this book was updated in 1999. My wife, who is in the Navy, found it in Singapore when her ship visited there. It is a wonderful book with delicious recipes, well explained procedures and clear illustrations, that calls for easily accessible ingredients -- no need to go to the non-existent "Indian foods store" all the other cookbooks send you to. Recipes are detailed and well-explained. I have over fifty books on Indian and South/Southeast Asian cooking in my library (most of them gathering dust), and this is by far the best. I use it every week, and friends and work colleagues demand the recipes. This is a book for the beginner and pro alike. I lived in London for years and had a lot of curry, and the results of these recipes taste authentic and are uniformly delicious. A great book!

I would recommend this book to someone who is not familiar with Indian cooking but enjoys the cuisine. It gives a basic idea of Indian cooking methods and Indian spices....people can play around with it a little to come up with variations on their own. I've cooked almost 50% of the recipes in it and have been satisfied with the result on 75% of them....not a bad record.
In case you're wondering, this review comes from an Indian who bought this book as soon as she got married to obtain a few Indian recipes. But now, I just look at the book to inspire me with new ideas.

Excellent pictures that guide you to delicious Indian Cooking, with useful tips, a great gift for a new bride

I am a native Indian; I LOVE this book. The dishes come out tasting VERY real; like a restaurant or even an Indian 'Dhaba'. I gave my copy to a friend for his wedding and have regretted my decision; I CANT FIND IT. Please help me someone.

I am a Native Indian and immigrated to this country and loved this book and all its illustrations and wish I could find it.

PLEASE HELP. Publisher please reprint.

Cooking at Home with Pedatha (Best Vegetarian Book in the World - Gourmand Winner)

This is an awesome book filled with traditional South Indian Vegetarian recipes and includes hints on varying the dish either by adding/changing other spices or vegetables. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and the illustrations are very appealing. It is impossible to find such authentic home food in any restaurant, whether in or out of India. The food based on these recipes definitely transported me back to my childhood!

Shiva
CA

I just received the book two days ago and have read it from start to finish. A beautifully written and illustrated book - you can tell it was written with a lot of love. I would have given it a heart 5 stars BUT, not being at home with many of the ingredients, I have compiled a significant list that needs more definition, and perhaps source recommendations before I can try the recipes. It also has a STRONG mothball like smell so it's airing out in the screened porch!

We bought this cook book shortly after an extended stay in India with family and it is the real deal. The recipes are just like our Autie's. Clear instructions and great pictures. It's just not a beginners book.

Being a South Indian and having lived most of my life in a whole different world far away from home, I yearned for all those special dishes Mom used to cook which remained a distant memory since she passed away. Pedatha's simple recipes brings back the aroma of my Mom's kitchen and rekindles a part of my chilhood.

Looking for a South Indian Veg. cookbook with clear instructions, well laid out text, images of raw ingredients and finished products, tips on getting things "just so", and suggestions for variations in case you have the urge to try the same dish with other materials? Look no further, because "Cooking with Pedatha" has all these features. The end products are authentic and taste like home cooked food (quite unlike most over spiced and greasy restaurant food) and leave you wanting to try more recipes. You will need to be able to get to an Indian store to get some ingredients but they can be used in multiple recipes and it is worth your time to do so. I hope you enjoy the book as I have since owning it the last month or so.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books, Florrie Binford-Kichler
Founder of Patria Press, Inc. - an award-winning independent publisher, President of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and Member of The Children's Book Council; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book is an honored recipient of this distinguished award.

Finders Keepers? is an excellently written book aimed at children of all ages. Its illustrations are top-quality, very colorful and go along very well with the story. The book carries a deep message about what is the correct and most spiritual way to act according to one's conscience. If everybody would be acting according to the principles exposed in this book, we would definitely be living in a better world. I recommend this book to anyone.

My mom got this book for me and I love it.I shared with whole class and my teacher read the book to us. They liked the meaning of NAMASTE and the colourful pictures.
My favorite part is the honest boy who teaches you honesty in a very simple way.

"Finders Keepers?" by Robert Arnett has been honored with the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award of the Publishers Marketing Association for Best Multicultural Book of the Year, the Independent Publisher Outstanding Book of the Year, and the Seal of Approval of the National Parenting Center. This book is better for school-age children, as it really provides a geography lesson, a study in ethics and a brief insight into Indian culture.

The book tells the true story of an experience the author had while traveling through India. He had just bought some postcards when a young Indian boy tapped him on the elbow and held out Arnett's wallet, which the boy had picked up when the author accidentally dropped it. The man thanked him and offered him a reward, but the boy refused to take any money, insisting that he should not be rewarded just for doing the right thing.

I'm in LOVE with the brightly colored illustrations by Indian-born Smita Turakhia, who said she was inspired by memories of the place where she spent her childhood. In fact, even the youngest kids enjoy looking at the pictures, so I skip some of the more technical stuff when I read it to them.

I got this book as a gift. As an Indian-American it helped me learn more about my culture. I took this book to school for "show and share". All my friends and teachers enjoyed the stories and the nice pictures. Especially the picture with differnt kids holding hands around the world. my teachers also liked that theme. Thank you.

I LOVED this book. I read a lot, and don't love most of what I read, but I loved this book. Kamla quickly and steadily emerged as the wise and quiet commentary over the unstable and difficult struggle faced by the family she came to love (and not love).

I swear I could SMELL and TASTE India while reading this book.

I am exhausted. I have just spent the last week racing around India in the late 1940's, struggling with the loss of love, fighting to keep faith and belief alive, and despairing at the imperfections of the human heart. Aimee Liu's Flash House is a myriad of subplots all rolled into one dazzling central theme - fighting for what you believe in and never giving up on what or who you love.

Joanna Shaw met her husband Aidan in a 'Maze of Mirrors' attraction at a beach-side carnvial. From word go, his interests in the world, his unique beliefs outside of Joanna's previous "Pleasantivlle" life were a gasping, sweet breath of fresh air for Joanna. When Aidan follows his journalism career to India, Joanna packs up their home and their son Simon and dutifully and happily follows. Settled in New Dehli, Aidan leaves Joanna asleep in their bed to set out on what she has been told is an 'assignment'. In his absence, Joanna goes ahead with her employment in New Delhi - running a Safe House for rescuing child prostitues...one of which becomes elemental in ironically rescuing Joanna. From the minute little Kamla, the girl with the turquoise eyes, rests her sight on "Mrs Shaw" she "claims" her as the physical entity of her freedom. After suffering a savage destruction of her innocence, Kamla runs to the only place she can think of, Joanna's residence. Amidst highly volatile political unrest, Joanna takes Kamla in after learning of her history and decides to deal with the consequences of personally rescuing an Indian orphan later. Just days later, Joanna receives a telegram of Aidan's disappearance after his plane went down in the Karakoram mountain range and Joanna's entire existence gets thrown off course.

So begins this wonderful, wild adventure told with scissor-sharp precision by the glorious writer, Aimee Liu. As it increasingly appears to the reader, the circumstances that Joanna met Aidan in, the maze of mirrors, may have laid the groundwork for what Liu slowly reveals of their smoke and mirror marriage. Accompanied by Lawrence Malcolm, an Australian friend of Aidan's and little Kamla who proves to be a talented translator, Joanna packs up her son Simon and does the only thing she feels sure of - going after Aidan.

This novel explores the strength, the stubborness, the fraility and the invicibility of unconditional love and all of the complicated mess of emotions that are unable to be contained, that don't fit neatly into a clean little box. Liu's language and descriptions left me breathless and shaking my head - walking alongside these beautifully crafted characters was an absolute joy...with the ultimate question of Aidan's location dangling above me like a carrot for the entire journey. Flash House is a convicting satsifying and unpredictable read and overall was a perfectly paced tale of adventure and love, a combination that Aimee Liu has pulled off with great skill and authenticity.

If I could give this novel ten stars, I would because this is everything that a novel should be. The twists and turns in the plot capture your interest and hold you captive yet it is the rich lyrical use of language that truly make the book memorable. This is an author who uses words like magic to weave you into a spell of love and intrigue.

The epilogue of this plot-driven novel is satisfying at all levels and the author does the reader the great service of truly wrapping up the novel to a lovely and believable ending.

The only negative that I would caution about is that on occasion the jump from the novel being told in the voice of Joanna to the voice of Kamla is not a smooth transition. However, it is hard to conceive of any way in which the author could have made the transition less jarring.

In the beginning it is somewhat disappointing that Aidan is not a fully drawn out character that would allow the reader to fully understand why Joanna is so driven in her search for the truth. Yet as the novel progresses, it becomes more clear why the author is so clever in slowly revealing the complexities of this character.

The insights into history and culture whet your appetite to learn more about Asia in the post World War II era. This is a book that will capture the delight of book clubs for the foreseeable future!

Set against the backdrop of The Game in which the U.K. and the Soviet Union strive to influence India's future, this historical espionage novel is a terrific read. The story is a good one, the writing better than usual and the detail and ambience superb.

I loved this book! I picked it up on impluse, just liked the look of it. I had no idea when I finished it, I would put it down as one of my favorites. Joanna Shaw and the people who make up her family and life are unforgettable.

I have just purchased my second and much newer copy of this extraordinary book. My first copy fell apart from use and age. Thirty years ago, when I bought the first edition, I was a neophyte in Indian cookery, vegetarian or otherwise. Thanks to Shanta Sacharoff, I have actually presented dinners to sophisticated Indian guests who literally raved about an American woman creating a 6-course mini-feast that reminded them of home (my greatest compliment). The book is comprehensive, richly but clearly written, bursting with beautiful and attainable recipes, history, lore, encouragement, and wise counsel. (Occasionally I would even take it to bed at night and read it like a novel). I have NEVER even come close to a disappointing result. Vegetarian or not, this is the one Indian cookbook that should be on everyone's shelf and used until it has worn itself out...then go buy another.

This cookbook is very easy to follow. After a chapter on vegetarian nutrition, we take a tour of the Indian pantry. The chief ingredients, spices, and cooking tools are described, with their background, history, description and uses. By reading up on spices and ingredients, along with their Indian names, one is able to go to an Indian grocery store and make the right choices. In addition, the author shows you how to roast and grind spices, and includes recipes for garam masala, chai masala, tamarind pastes, sauces, how to make your own ghee, paneer, yogurt.

She then covers a variety of chutneys, pickles, snacks and appetizers. There is so much variety in this book, covering salads, vegetable dishes, beans, dals, rice, breads, sweets and even beverages. And it's not just how to cook them, but also she gives you cultural background, traditions, and how and where the item is served, and what significance it has in reference to the holidays. Even if you never cooked a single dish, you can learn a lot about Indian cuisine, culture, holidays and festivals from reading this book.

The chapter on dals has more than enough variety for you to experiment, as it covers all sorts, chana, mung, urad, toor, masoor, and even pancha dal (combining all 5 dals). I have enjoyed several of these, and the only comment I have is that she does not tell you how much cayenne pepper to put in, so you can suit your tastes. The other thing I noticed is that if you use all of the water the recipe specifies, your dal will be too watery. For example, 5 cups of water for 1 cup of masoor dal is too much, turning it into a soup. She does a great job explaning the vaghar, which is a hot oil mixture that is added to the dal in the last minute to flavor it with spices.

Background: I grew up eating Indian vegetarian food. Sometimes it was good, sometimes mediocre, occassionally fantastic. I had kichadi for breakfast and dal-chawal-roti-sabji for dinner every day except festival days.

Bias: I will admit a bias that I actually met the author; I went to high school with her son and was lucky enough to have dinner at her house once.

Review: This is the absolute, number one, best Indian cookbook on the market today. I own most of the big ones and many little ones, and nothing else out there even approaches this book for utility and quality. Most cookbooks offer a good base for a recipe, but you have to make it once and then adjust and improve it. All the recipes in this book are excellent as written; I have not had to modify any of them! There's no padding in this book. She doesn't include every Indian recipe you've ever (and never) heard of, but she does include all the basics you need to eat well every day. This is the only time I have seen okra treated properly in a cookbook, and the recipe for pakora batter is phenomenal. Her style is authentic Gujarati-style cooking. Having spent some time in Gujarat and eaten at many Gujarati houses, I should know.

All in all, a highly recommended resource for any kitchen. Having eaten at the author's house, I can attest that her cooking is excellent, authentic Indian vegetarian cusine, and she used the same recipes included in the book. She is the real deal.

It turns out that even an average American mom like me can make great Indian food. In the two months since my sister gave it to me as a birthday gift, I have made many recipes from this book. While I cook, the house smells like an Indian restaurant. My three young kids have willingly eaten most of the meals--they're that good.

This is not some sort of foo-foo picture book written by a well-known chef. It's a rubber-meets-the-road sort of book by a real mom. The book is a sensible size for setting on the counter while cooking, and the binding stays open fairly well. The author includes a shopping list ("The Healthful Indian Pantry"), which is very helpful. Each chapter has an interesting introduction that provides a cultural background for the food. Most of the recipes are actually vegan, and when they are not, the author includes adaptations to make the recipe vegan. For anyone who lives nowhere near an Indian market, at the end of the book there is a list of addresses for mail order. And, of course, there is an index and glossary--also helpful!

Too bad the publishing company has such a generic name that it's difficult to run a search for all their other books. If they're all as good as this one, I want to buy more.

Indian cuisine is really the only cuisine I know anything about. Growing up in London and being vegetarian have something to do with it. This is my favorite Indian cook book. It is also the one I give to friends interested in starting to cook Indian food.

What makes this book outstanding is the simplicity of most of the receipes, and the way the author elucidates the reasons for putting this spice in before that one, or using this ingredient rather than that one. The layout is excellent, and the drawings add a touch of elegance. A superb book!