India Books

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

The great strength of this book lies in its brevity. Two-hundred pages divided by twenty chapters makes for fast reading, covering a wide variety of subjects. Edward Dimock is a man of the world; his depth of experience allows him to write with both fondness and irreverence. Early on he confesses himself to be an old fuddy-duddy, guided by the ancient Manu (like Dante and Vergil), yet is not above numerous and much-appreciated pop references to anything from Mel Brooks to Star Trek. For those of us who know choice little of India (let alone been there) Mysteries of the East is both didactic and hilarious. Dimock's a wonderful writer, quickly establishing a humorous tone while discussing otherwise weighty matters. The rhythm he works himself into had me anticipating his editorializing, even in the midst of the more luxurious description. He's always "on", always has a little something to say about his travels and discoveries, be they an American movie star in Agra or the island of Diu where Dimock "communes with the spirits" (my realization of what he meant by this caused me to laugh out loud; I was finally hooked). Dimock is a witty observer of detail, with a well-educated sense of comparison and contrast. The similarity between Santa Claus and Ganesha is nicely drawn, while the author is careful to distinguish between Sir Richard Burton and just plain Richard Burton. The Indians and Sahibs are allowed to speak for themselves either charmingly or boisterously, quick character sketches that add flavor to the cultural mix. Dimock also knows his Vishvamitra and Herodotus and lets these old-timers have their say. But as he himself writes, "It is no news to anybody that language is more than words", and some very fine study is put into his silent characters as well, everyone from Yusuf the waiter to Nikki the German shepherd. Dimock takes an obvious delight in the menagerie that is India, from thieving monkeys to a charging water buffalo, and a most striking non-speaking role is played by Gopal the elephant, whose astuteness and venerability Dimock compares favorably to his own father. He's correct in describing the glance of the polite pachyderm as sagacious: some animals--say, cows,--look right through you, but elephants look right at you . . . appraisingly. The change of scene in Part III of the book caught me somewhat off-guard as Dimock leaves India and travels to Aden and then back to New England. I thought the whole book was supposed to be about India, but I got to thinking about the title; the East. After all, Aden is in the Middle East, and Massachusetts is on the east coast, and both are plenty mysterious to me as well. The most memorable advice Dimock provides if one is to truly see India is that one must: 1. Meet a maharaja, whether he be sober or inebriated, 2. Ride an elephant to see an outdoor drama without trampling any of the locals, 3. See a ruby-eyed idol deep in a rain-forest straight out of The Jungle Book, 4.Take in a live performance by a cobra and its handler in the street, or at least stumble upon one of the great snakes out in the bush, or (Shiva willing) in one's own bathtub.

Mr. Dimock possesses a perspective on India that, few if any, Westerners will ever have. He is probably the only Western author who has been able to notice and accept the chaos of India. Mr. Dimock aslo has the unique insight of perceiving the order that arises from this choas. In his book he presents India to us as a place of constant comedy the humor of which is best understood by someone who is fimilar with the region and it's people. India comes across as a place of extremes where even the animals have a personality and express it in their own right. The book was funny and nostalgic at the same time. The ideas would have been best expressed in an Indian language but the limiations of English as a language used to recount India is also very amusing. The book is very highly recommended especially to those who live in mortal fear and awe of the place. Thanks! B

I am passionate for non-fiction books about India so this book was on my personal reading list. I will mention this: Something about Mr. Dimock's writing reminds me of that "lost" writing style of the 19th century. This is an absolutely fabulous book that unfortunately will probably be overlooked time and time again by readers. This is a book I will buy and always keep because it is so perfect in every way!

My fascination for Ismail Merchant started when I read an article on him couple of years ago. Since then, my interest in reading about the man and his journey has been immense. Finally I found the right book.

It has the makings of a classic book - Its entertaining, informative, uncomplicated and is about the journey of a man whose dreams came true. I couldn't stop laughing when he mentions about the many incidents and decisions he made. I admire the common sense, persuasive skills and fearlessness of the man. I highly recommend it.

Mr. Merchant is an excellent story teller. If you are looking for light, entertaining read, this book is a good investment. If you expect this book will introduce you to Ismail Merchant, it will not. It will introduce you to Ismail Merchant the producer and director of off-beat films who, with indefatigable zeal for film making, has earned the right to be included in the list of international film makers. An enterprising individual who is a self-made entrepreneur.

A more accurate title would be: An Indian film maker's passage from India. Because there is little that Merchant discloses about himself or even his trade. Living and interacting in a world of glamor and beauties, Merchant is mum about his emotions. If such a lively individual has a romantic side, the book discloses nothing. Except his childhood "innocent" infatuation with India's popular actress Nimmi in the fifties, Merchant displays or at least discloses no other "infatuation." Apparently, he never married. Despite starting his feature film career with the Householder (1962), Merchant never discloses why he himself did not decide to be a householder himself. There is an underlying shyness or uncomfortableness in revealing himself to the reader. Or being so deft and intelligent Merchant is saving his real autobiography for another time. In this book all we are allowed is a glimpse of Merchant the enterprising film producer and his incredible journey..

Unlike many Merchant-Ivory early art films, Merchant's book is entertaining and written in a vivid, uncomplicated style. If like me you are familiar with the terrain (India) and time (60s the pre-inflation golden age of India), Merchant can transport you back to those giddy times. With a touch of a maestro, he brings vivid recollections of the golden age of Indian cinema of which the West knows very little. He weaves exotic connections between India's art directors (Satyajit Ray and himself), Bombay film world and Hollywood. Surprisingly, except for Bombay Talkie and a documentary, his interactions with Bombay are very limited.. It was Bombay that triggered his love of the cinema.

Do not expect to get philosophical definitions of anything from this versatile man. He sets out to make films on Indian themes. Yet, what is "Indianness" is never commented upon let alone any attempts toward defining. Ironically, Merchant's first feature film (Householder) meets with limited success in New York, not because of any unique "Indianness" but because of universal human qualities and situations it depicts: An intrusive mother-in-law, compliant Son, a stubborn, independent daughter-in-.law and falling in love all over with spouse in her absence. Indians are not that different after all!

Many readers will not pay much attention let alone be bothered. What did bother me was the apolitical nature of Mr. Merchant. With the exception of his boyhood partition memories, no political events on any continent, including those that effect him are mentioned. Maybe art films can be separated from politics. But why is his book so apolitical is beyond me. Ironically, to this day Mr. Merchant is harassed by the corruption that pervades India's governments. Still he has very little to say about politics and its effects on people. When Utpal Dutt (actor with a leading role in his film The Guru) is arrested, Merchant approaches the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. With some manuevering Dutt is conditionally released by the West Bengal communist government. The film is made. Merchant, however, does not question the arrest. Individual rights, rule of law, abuse of government powers are never mentioned let alone questioned. (No mention of Nehru's death or Indira Gandhi's murder. No mention of the deteriorating conditions in India-- the mismanagement of public resources and the duping of the public, mobsters , the Hindu-Muslim riots taking of innocent life--all the unpleasant realities of India are meticulously avoided. Maybe it is bad marketing to expose the underbelly of India.

Yet Merchant is exposed to this underbelly in his own account while filming the Courtesans of Bombay, in the red light district of Bombay. He, first hand, encounters the exploitation of woman by hands of criminals. He witnesses switchblade fights but does nothing to expose the sad plight of the dancing women. The dance of life must go on. That the government has failed is not obvious to Merchant (I told you he was very apolitical) Is there honor in receiving the Padma Bhushan from such a failed establishment?

Okay, when it comes to socio-political realities, Mr. Merchant is neither a Charles Dickens or Mark Twain. What Merchant lacks in political depth he makes up in an effusive sense of humor which can compete with either Dickens or Twain. My Passage From India, is a great, true short story that will enthrall, in particular people familiar with the terrain and time. There is a joke or a quip embedded in every page. Like all great men Mr. Merchant undoubtedly has a great sense of humor, passion for life which, of course, includes food . I can go on and on (like Aan, Nimmi's great Hindi film which made an impression on young Merchant and goaded him to follow his calling.) But in deference to short artistic film I must stop.

I do not know Mr. Merchant personally nor am I connected in any way with Merchant-Ivory company. Nor am I am being paid to write this. Therefore, my advice is unbiased. Go ahead and buy My Passage From India Especially those who love Indian literature in English. As with the legendary Merchant cuisine (I trust his judgment on that) this book shall not disappoint.

My fascination for Ismail Merchant started when I read an article on him couple of years ago. Since then, my interest in reading about the man and his journey has been immense. Finally I found the right book.

It has the makings of a classic book - Its entertaining, informative, uncomplicated and is about the journey of a man whose dreams came true. I couldn't stop laughing when he mentions about the many incidents and decisions he made. I admire the common sense, persuasive skills and fearlessness of the man. I highly recommend it.

This may be the best guide book I have ever used. I think I should write Kerry Moran a fan letter for helping me to have an amazing and wonderful time on my six-week trip to Nepal without always feeling like a clueless tourist. This guide is so well written and interesting that I read it cover to cover during the trip-- even the sections about places we weren't planning to go. The cultural descriptions are informative and sensitively written, but not unrealistically rose-colored. The guides to towns and trekking routes give you an accurate and practical idea of what to expect when you get there without being overdetailed or bossy about telling you what do. The Nepali vocabulary and grammar in the appendix really came in handy and Nepalis, even when they could speak English, seemed genuinely pleased that I was trying to speak Nepali. The maps are not especially good, but then even with maps you would still have to ask directions. This is a great guide for anyone whose itenerary is not set in stone and who wants to get some genuine insight into Nepali culture.

This may be the best guidebook I've ever used-- I read it cover to cover during my trip, and feel like I ought to write Kerry Moran a fan letter. The advice and information in this book helped me to have an amazing and wonderful experience Nepal without always feeling like a clueless tourist. The descriptions of Nepali culture and customs are sensitively written and indespensible for a mystified first time visitor. The guides for trekking routes and towns are right on the mark but not overdetailed, so you get an accurate idea what to expect without being told exactly what to do. The Nepali vocabulary and grammar in the appendix were very handy and I really had fun trying to speak the language. This book does not have good maps, but I was able to get pretty good maps in Nepal.

Being a traveller who usually swears by Lonely Planet guides, I have to admit that when it came down to taking one or the other, the Lonely Planet book stayed at home and this one made it into my backpack. It's just plain good. I will be sure to check out other Moon Guides in the future. Their series might soon be alongside my LP and Footprint Guide collections.

I am reading Kenneth Anderson's books...since...I was a Class VIIth student...I used to read his books after coming from school, lying over a cot under an old Banyan tree.

Today...I am 33 years old...work as Manager - Quality with HSBC GLOBAL RESOURCING...but that habit of reading Kenneth Anderson's books after work continues...and will always continue.

I have read many books on hunting by many authors...but no one comes close to Jock's (Yes...that is what one of his closest friends used to call him as) story telling ability, his knowledge of the flora and the fauna, the description of the Indian jungle...

One of my biggest regrets of life is - Mr.Anderson died around the time I was born and hence, I never got the opportunity to meet him.

Wish you were here Andy...you will forever live in my heart and soul. Your books are beyond ratings. God bless your soul where it maybe.

Reading Kenneth Anderson presents your mind's eye with a vision of an intensely dark tropical night: the fire cracking in front of you, the innumerable stars in the clear firmament, the soft, warm river-bed sand beneath, a slight chill in the still air, the sounds emenating from the dark jungle beyond and the soft, immortal voice of the scotsman as he reminiscened his adventures... Kenneth Anderson's stories are exceedingly pleasurable to read and everytime I read them, I felt I was indeed back in the deep dark silent tropical night of the South Indian wilds. Acquire. Read. Please. This Book is indeed an heirloom.

Kenneth Anderson lived in South India and a being a hunter, he hunted man-eating tigers and other man-eating cats. He did not hunt for sport, but to rid-off these man-eating menaces that lived off people. In this book he re-collects his experiences while hunting man-eating cats, especially tigers. This book is very very interesting and is probably amongst one of my all time favourites. Many of his other books like Tiger Roars , etc deal with the same subject and are all equally interesting.. This books paints a very clear and interesting picture of the whole affair of his hunting of man-eaters. Since this book consists of short stories, each of these stories can be finished in one sitting. I thank Kenneth Anderson for giving me such wonderful moments while reading his books on quiet nights and week-ends, that I will cherish for a lifetime. I only wish these books were more easily available.

Under the occupation of the People's Republic of China, school in Tibet is too expensive for most families to allow their children to attend (Tibetans normally have large families while the Chinese are allowed to have only one child per family). Of course, for those who can afford to attend, the traditional Tibetan teachings are banned. Consequently, the Tibetan Children's Village was established in the city of Dharamsala in India with the motto "Others Before Self." "Our Journey from Tibet" is based by Laurie Dolphin on the dangerous journey taken by a young girl named Sonam to travel from her home in Tibet, through the mountains of the Himalaya in Nepal, to India. There, with other children who had taken a similar journey, Sonam learns about the language, religion, and history of her homeland. Dolphin, who has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism for several years, was inspired by the plight of these children to write this book as a means of helping to preserve Tibetan culture. "Our Journey from Tibet" is illustrated with photographs by Nancy Jo Johnson, who has produced several stories for "Life" and "National Geographic." The book also includes a message from Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and an afterword by Rinchen K. Choegyal, Minister-in-Charge for Education for the Tibetan government in exile. As much as the story of a young girl having to take a perilous journey, the efforts of the people of Tibet to keep alive their Buddhist religious traditions, to reestablish in exile the monastic institutions destroyed in Tibet under the Chinese, and to teach their children their culture as part of a modern education is equally inspirational. Young students researching the land of Tibet for school would be well served by looking at "Our Journey From Tibet" as well to really get an idea of what live is like for children only slightly younger than themselves living on the other side of the world.

Although the book was written for children, as an adult I found it very interesting. The color pictures on every page bring the story to life. I liked the book so much I ordered another one for my niece. She is 9 years old, and is anxious to bring the book to school on a "show and tell" day.

I am 33 years old. I read this book for the first time today. These child's courage and bravery in this journey outshines all else. From the beginning to end this small child went through more hardship than most people I know of. What brings this book to light with most people is the quality of the pictures and the words. To be able to put the images that come to mind with pictures of such a dangerous journey is VERY Commendable. It also brings home the environment of what Tibets' children are facing each day. Makes me want to reach out to this child and hug her and tell her that it's over and it wont happen again.

This book can provide plenty of help and guide for anyone traveling to Pakistan, foreigners in particular (she mentioned a few things in Lahore, my hometown, which even I did not know). I picked the book from my father's bookshelf to kill my time and ended up reading all of it. She explains most things about the local culture extremely well, without the usual negative tone that most other authors unconsciously get into (no offence for anyone please).

For me if a book gives you the information that you need and makes you read more than what you initially planned, is a five star, so is this one!

We visited North Pakistan, looking at the archaeology, and this guidebook was excellent- it covered virtually everything.
We ordered it from London, and it arrived very promptly - and cheaper than the price quoted by amazon.co.uk!

My journey home to Pakistan started a little over five years ago when I married a Pakistani national who had immigrated to the United States in the early nineties. The decision to visit my family back home in Lahore City was one that took nearly five years to make. After securing my flight at the height of the summer travel season and I might add the hottest time of year in that part of the Indian subcontinent I desparately sought out the most comprehensive travel guide I could find. Isobel Shaw's book is informative and a godsend to a novice traveller to the Indian subcontinent such as my self. From her descriptions of famous landmarks to the locations of hotels and hospices she gives an accurate account of what to expect. The index of Urdu phrases came in handy on several occasions as I do not speak or read the language and was often dependent on my husband's translating capability. The maps and descriptions of the different regions allowed us to the luxury of travelling to areas of Pakistan I might never have seen otherwise. My only regret is that we were unable to see more of Kashmir than the border checkpoint. Due to my blonde hair and western features the border guards were relunctant to let us in. Perhaps next time I shall be allowed to travel in that region. I would not hesitate to recommend Ms. Shaw's guidebook to anyone travelling in Pakistan. It is an informative and enjoyable book on the people and the country of Pakistan.

Pakistan is a fascinating and unfairly under-rated country. It certainly is one of the poorest in the world but its people are the most welcoming you will ever meet and the scenery is enthralling. I promised myself I'll keep returning to Pakistan every year since my first discovery trip (1998). Look no further for the best guidebook to Pakistan. This new edition is VERY detailed and informative and has even succeeded in improving on the already brilliant previous edition. In my opinion, Lonely Planet's updated 1998 edition is not bad either but does not compare. Have a wonderful journey ! And please, if you go to Lahore, don't miss the beautiful Wazir Khan mosque !

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be indespensible during two trips to Pakistan in the Summers of 03 and 04. A little skimpy on photos and the prices were outdated (it has not been updated since 1998 I wish they would too). other than that it was/is the best on the market, far more engaging and extensive than Lonely Planet. I see Footprint is expected to release a Guide to the Northern Areas. Although I welcome this I think far too many tourists neglect the four provinces down country. This is really where the guide book shines for it reveals so much about the majority of the country that other books neglect or skim over.

While in pursuit if my passion of travel, I have had the chance to use several types of guides, but never have I enjoyed reading any guide as this one. Very detailed, yet simply arranged, and excellent recommendations. Very accurate trekking information is also included in it, along with the typical "touristy" material. Maps could use a little more detail, as I saw it. Prices and other recommendations were excellent! Awesome job!

If anyone is going to Pakistan, I would highly suggest getting this book. There are so many things that I have never known even though I was there for several months.

-A good dictionary in Pali, the language of rich classic Buddhist texts, isn't just for left-brain dweebs -- it can add irreplaceable depth, enjoyment, and accuracy to your practice. Dictionaries have limitations, to be sure, but in Pali (as in English) if you are confused or curious about the precise meaning of a word you have no substitute for a good dictionary, and incompletely translated terms can significantly interfere with your understanding. This is as true for your native language as for a technical professional discipline.
-Here's an example. I recently prepared a talk on the Dhammapada and commented on Byrom's translation of verse 95 (yes, yes, there are far more literally accurate translations, and you bet I backed it up with Carter and Palihawadana and Thanissaro, but Byrom's stylistic beauty makes it a popular text which most people in the class seemed to be using. Other translations have challenges, too). Byrom describes arahants as "yielding like the earth." Yielding? This word conjures up images of a passive, floppy, Alfred E. Neuman attitude which would be indifferent to grave injustice. That just didn't seem right, but other translations only threw confusion on the issue. Well, when all else fails, read the directions in the original language. The dictionary showed the Pali word meant "without resistance; without hostility." So...in the original language, the verse probably meant one could resist injustice and untruth, but one could never skillfully do this using hostility. Problem Solved. Consistency Re-established. This is but one example where a dictionary, especially in a precise and meaning-rich philosophy like Buddhism, is enriching and even crucial, especially for one not fluent in the language. Goodness only knows how many other misconceptions I have, based on inaccurate or incompletely explained translations.
-Other dictionaries exist, including web-based ones, by competent scholars and I've used most (though not all). But -- when I first looked into this text my jaw literally dropped because of the dictionary's comprehensiveness. The entry for "kamma" had 4-1/2 pages! It was like comparing a pocket dictionary with a Webster's Unabridged. The authors are the only ones I've seen who consistently give root verbs and Sanskrit analogues, which are enriching and crucial for understanding the Pali. Translating or explaining difficult terms without them amounts to malpractice. Furthermore, it is organized like my friendly old Macdonell's Sanskrit Dictionary, also a useful masterpiece of scholarship and precision. The authors also briefly introduced the problems any dictionary will have, including accuracy and precision.

-No one with an intermediate or advanced level of interest in Buddhism should be without an adequate Pali dictionary to further explain difficult and controversial topics. End of discussion. Period. Dot. The Buddha taught no one should let someone else do their thinking for them! This Pali dictionary is far and away the most comprehensive and the best I've seen. Its main problem (being out of date) is far more easily rectified than having a trendy, modern text or translation which is neither as comprehensive nor as accurate. One really picky thing is that it doesn't give the Pali alphabetical order, but that's easy enough to correct by making your own chart (I'd suggest tabs, too).
-If you like the Dhamma as explained by Theravada Buddhism, then buy this dictionary, even if you think attachment to material things is bad.

This dictionary is an essential tool for the Pali scholar. And yet it was first published eighty years ago and has not been revised - or so little - since this first distant edition. Does it mean our knowledge of Pali has not improved? Of course not. It only means no one has had the courage nor taken the time to go back to this dictionary and to enrich it with all we have learned about Pali. But the very first shortcoming is not that. It is the fact that it is only one way. No English-Pali half. It only works one way. It prevents what I would call cross-examinations, crossing the two languages. The second shortcoming is the very layout of the book that makes it very difficult to use. We do not see very clearly the various sections of each entry and we have to scrutinize the entry to find the end of the etymological section of it, for one instance. Another shortcoming of the same type is that all similar entries are not always built the same way, with for verbs for instance first the etymology, second the various forms, third the meanings. At times some important elements are missing : all nouns are not specified as for gender. This is rather easy to improve. Then we can deal with the more semantic shortcomings. This dictionary opposes gerund and gerundive but Rhys Davids is the only one, with Geiger, to do so; and no explanation is given, not even by Geiger. This dictionary should contain a short survey of all the grammatical forms and concepts of Pali, a short grammatical presentation of the language. At times it is not very easy to follow some derivations that are not clearly identified or connected. We can find the causative of some verbs but not the basic pre-causative form. We are not always provided with the passive verb of an active verb, though we may have the past participle of this passive verb. So we are obliged to run around in circles from one book to another to supplement what's missing. The last remark I will put forward is that some Buddhist concepts are not always either explained properly or translated in agreement with the meaning. It is the case of "dukkha" for example. It is reduced - as a noun - to meaning "fraught with pain, entailing sorrow or trouble" which is alas in phase with the traditional Christian vision of life as a valley of sorrow or tears. But as Rhys Davids says: "There is no word in English covering the same ground as dukkha does in Pali. Our modern words are too specialised , too limited, and usually too strong." And yet he reduces dukkha to suffering which is totally false. Dukkha is a direct and global reference to the natural cycle of birth-decay-death-rebirth, to the fact that nothing is permanent and everything is evanescent, to the principle that there is no good, that man has no soul, no divine part in him, that the only future of man - if he does not get out of the cycle of dukkha - is to die and be reborn into the cycle again. But at the same time the force and energy necessary to get on the Path to nirvana is in this very materialistic dukkha: it is the mind that can, through concentration and meditation, detachment and clear vision, build the slow process that will get us out of this very cycle of birth-decay-death-rebirth, on the Path of Enlightenment beyond. In other words dukkha states that there is no salvation since there is no saviour, but it also states that we can be the artisans of our own salvation, or rather escape, and that the engine of it is precisely embedded in our very dukkha. It is thus wrong to reduce dukkha to a meaning that implies something completely different when literally and narrowly translated, word for word, into our European and Christianized languages. And yet this dictionary is the only tool we have so far if we want to penetrate the words of Pali.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine and University Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne

The Critical Pali Dictionary project presents the language in much greater breadth and depth. But it is a multi-generational project and seems to have run out of funding after the first few letters. Margaret Cone has begun a project and covered the first few letters. This is still the dictionary to consult for complete coverage. (The notion that this dictionary should have covered grammar is simply silly. Works on Pali grammar are available separately.)

.. A sad fact about an ethnic group that has served other Nations with distinction whenever it was called upon. While a lot of this information in caroe's book is not as relevant as it used to be, it remains the best English book on Pashtuns. For a more contemporary book I recommend read Spain's The Pathans of the latter day.

I bought this book in hopes of learning about the nature of Pathan history and its roots... I must say this book was a sheer delight although a little heavy on history... It is not for the casual reader. However if you seek to get a good knowledge of Pathan history.. then this is the book.. For some, the historical essence of this books might be somewhat compromised by the romantic overtones of the writer towards the pathans however for me it was an added delight since it comfirmed to me the involvement of the writer with the subjects of his chosen topic. Overall, if are a serious reader than this is the book for you.

This book is an extremely useful work for historical reference, probably the only one in its category extant. It can be regarded as the magnum opus of its subject. The main merit of the book lies in the fact that its presents a detailed genealogical history, as well as a narrative of the area, its places, language and dialects, and culture of this race - with valuable first hand background information by a scholarly author who was also the top colonial administrator of this area, having reached that position after a long record of lesser tier appointments and experience in the same place. And nobody then or since, has attempted another such work in any language concerning this crucial and extremely troublesome race, whose region is now a crucible of turbulence. One of the book's chief drawbacks is that it dates to the time period of 50-60 years ago, and given the nature of 20th century developments, not just "water" alone but a whole ocean has flowed under the bridge since then, to modify the cliche realistically. Also the narrative of its writer is heavily tinted with his own maudlin emotional sentiments and rose tinted romanticism--and he has acknowledged these feelings openly while describing to the reader the nature of his book in the preface--therefore this aspect of the book robs it of any credibility in presenting the reader with the actual picture as it obtains on the ground, especially nowadays. After all, analysing a society doesn't wholly depend on facts and figures concerning what its inhabitants eat or wear, or the group its language belongs to. Even emotional involvements must be seen as to whether they are deluded or appropriate. So, as a reviewer, let me take up on the subject of this book where its British imperialist officer, yet somewhat giggolo-like author, fails. The Pathans are perhaps the most criminal society on the face of the planet nowadays and have been for since long. The people are extremely proud and boastful about their negative "dangerous" qualities, extremely jealous, grasping and malintentioned, bellicose and vindictive and can nurse the pettiest of slights and grudges for years, ending in explosive results. When the British ruled here for a century, there was a semblance of order and justice, but after 1947 the area quickly started reverting to its protean tribal lawlessness, and following the Afghan revolutionary upheavals of 1978 the reversion was complete, if not more intense than ever before. Government exists here only as a verneer on paper; even that is made up of the obsolete rules the British colonialists had drawn up. Those "elders" in power and authority are bandits and things get done through favour and patronage and contacts. Nobody is ashamed of this. For a Pathan, its "normal living". Drugs and smuggling make up their economy, robbing the state treasury makes up their top officials' salaries and no taxes are paid. Of course, when the top dogs indulge themselves thus, everybody else feels they have a right to do the same, here... There is no public or civic life, and one's safety and survival are dependent on the jungle law, survival of the fittest (or the cunning). Public works suffer for lack of money or planning. "Justice" is meted out by informal gatherings of toughs and "social influentials" known as "jirgas". Thus the place is rundown and ramshackle like an American frontier town's scenario from the 19th century Wild West, where rude, boorish macho tribesmen rule the day. It is the home base of the Taliban and Islamic extremist terrorism. Here the only women you can be relaxed with are your mother and sisters. Sex is only "permissible" in marriage, and for that you have to send a party of relatives over to a person's house to choose and "reserve" his daughter for you. If a man tries meeting a "stranger" female normally, he and the woman risk getting shot dead by her father/brother(s)/cousin(s) for violating their family's "honour". (Women here, you see, are objects of honour for their tribe and family. They are there only to be given or sold to husbands at their males' liking. With due apologies to gays, Pathan men are normally bisexual, and society doesn't bat an eyelid about it). The police treats such killings as "honour killing" between the two parties involved, and leaves it to a "jirgah" to mete "justice", usually settled by payment of blood money or yet another forced marriage, known as "swarrah". Of course in reality, Pathan women are among the most oversexed and "hottest", but all liaisions are strictly "underground". I was born a Pathan - from Charsadda district - and because of various constraints am still living here. But in spirit, I'm a normal human being, not a Pathan. In short, this is a society beyond redemption. The Pathan spirit refuses to change in any aspect. And they try to prevent others from doing so to, who want to change. This society truly merits the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) to wipe it cleanly and efficiently off the face of the earth as a sevice to the ideals of normal, modern civilisation. And I think one day in the near future, responsible leaders will be forced to take that path out of dire necessity. But at the moment, this evil blot on the globe continues to exist just because America and the West support it, and don't give a damn about how bad its people are. Anyone who is "proud" of, or likes such a society or situation - needs to be stood to a wall and shot.