India Books

I loved this book. So wonderfully written. Albeit the author took some liberties with the stories, I think the idea of the book is very well executed. I loved reading about Shiva and Ganesha and Vishnu and Parvati as if they were people who lived just down the street. So much of Hindu lore is very difficult to digest, but the author does a great job of delivering the myths and the moral point of each story very very well. Well done.

Fairy tales from the East lent us insight into a new range of contemporary issues and new responces to these temptations, character flaws and daily errs. Through these mythological stories and the choices these characters make, we are invited to be in both the situation and each character in tne story. Their choices then become our story. It is a unique tool for checking in with our values and coming to greater clarity about "what if" I were placed in such a situation myself. Good reading for all ages and an ideal gift for conscience raising without being rude.

Beautifully written! The timeless quality of these ancient myths shines brightly through Ms. Kapur's lucid prose.

Ganesha Goes to Lunch is a grand mix-up of Gods and mortals... all doing the best they can considering the limitations (and non-limitations) of their realities. The treat is that we are afforded a front row seat and, while enjoying ourselves all the while, suddenly discover that teachings of profound wisdom have somehow been assimilated.

A wonderful and imaginative journey with the power to inform, inspire and - ultimately transform the reader. Thank you, Kamla Kapur for the (wild elephant) ride!

Ganesha Goes to Lunch by Kamla K. Kapur is a collection of twenty four stories drawn from the oral tradition of mythical tales in India. The stories are retold in contemporary language, and maintain the essential structure and characteristics of the folklores. Kamla's choice of stories ranges from tales about why Ganesha has elephant's trunk, to the marriage of Shiv-Parvati to the creation of Brahma and universe. The story of the friendship of Sudama and Krishna is retold as is the tale of Vishwamitra-Vashisht rivalry.

The Bharatiya (Indian) tradition thrives on stories passed on from generation to generation. Each generation adds its own experience to knowledge and reinterprets the understanding passed to them. The Hindu myths by their very nature don't have absolutes. They represent Gods or men trapped in their vices, roused or limited by their virtues, acting in response to the demands that existence as humans on earth demands from us. The attempt is to create examples as prototypes to deal with contradictions and complexities that daily strife, be it in war, peace, family matters, need, greed, valor, and amorous desires lead us to. This had lead to several epics about avataars or incarnations, and as humans Gods lead exemplary lives, faulting at times, and suffering for them. In Kamla's collection, the gems from the boundless sea of folklore are picked, polished and repackaged to lure Western audiences as well as those Indian readers who have learned most from English education and English Literature.

The book has a number of pictures and illustrations, which allow a non-Indian reader to visualize the God or character in question. We Indians grow up with these tales, and somehow we imbibe their lessons into our being without realizing when or how. The modern age has brought a slew of stories and media into our household, and in these times, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the shallow characterizations and sensationalist serials. The demands of materialistic modern life, makes it even more important for us to connect to the spiritual wisdom of centuries, the philosophy both rich and humbling is present in highly entertaining form in these stories. Kamla Kapur's effort is commendable in both the spirit and the style of execution.

While most of these stories can be read out to children, a few characterizations are little more sensual than I would have hoped for. The discussion about Shiva and Shakti, the male and female powers, is done quite boldly, whereas my encounters with these stories as a child were in an understatement, and in euphemisms. Perhaps the retelling must respond to the contemporary world, where the Victorian writing, the euphemisms are considered trite and cliched. The tale from Ramayana, incorrectly mentions that Hanuman brought Sanjivini (or the hill with that herb on it) for reviving Ram (I am certain that it was needed for Laxman). Aside from these quips, most of the stories are brief and well written, and will form a good reading for people of all ages.

Myths by their very nature appeal to the heroic, and the virtuous elements of our being. Kamla's rendition ensures that the heroic and mystic elements are distilled into a reader's consciousness. The simplicity of language, the delightful imagery, the translation as if of whole oral tradition of myths into this eclectic collection speaks volumes about Kamla's craftsmanship and reverence for these tales. While the tales are derived from Hindu myths, the structure, the impact, the ideals, the virtues they inspire transcend time, space and religion. I enjoyed these, and so I hope you will too.

Laughs, adventure, romance with a questionable rogue, a delightful story that is thoroughly unique. I could totally see the entire book as a cinematic feast! The best of Bollywood and Hollywood. Read it, you won't regret it!

I loved this book--one of the funniest I've ever read. There were times I wasn't sure about character motivation(Why, exactly, did she dance at that club?) but it didn't matter because I was just there for the fast and very amusing ride. And I loved the hero!

I have read all of Flo's books. She has a gift. This is a wonderful fun romp though India. I can see this as a movie! Are you listening Hollywood?

Hot Stuff is an adventure of a lifetime. Tempe Walsh, is an interpreter with a secret dream of being an actress. The hero is one Briggan "Brig" O'Brien who seems to be a man with a shady past. The two them are thrown together by the Shiva's Diva statue that everyone wants and they have.

Brig and Tempe are shot at, have knives thrown at them, as they dodge the bad guys while also doing flips and somersaults. When they are not avoiding weapons, they are working on a movie directed by one of Brig's friends. In the movie they are dancing, doing flips and somersaults on top of Ferris wheels and other things I wouldn't do. It seems they are on the move all the time.

Flo Fitzpatrick has a great talent for telling a story. It kept me entertained and held my attention. I loved this story, and if you enjoy adventure with some comedy thrown in it is a story you would like also I am sure.

A delightful book I am very happy to recommend coming from Flo Fitzpatrick. This one amazing tale from start to finish that will leave you clamoring from more from this new writer.

Tempe Walsh is a translator. She has a job with client Ray Decore. Sounds simple enough. She is to translate from Hindi to English and back again as needed as part of a deal with Kimali Khan, brokering a sale for a stature. Tempe might raise eyebrows at the setting - Hot Harry's Bar in Bombay, but hey, a girl has to live a little! Only trouble ensures when Tempe spots the statue is a fake. Suddenly all hell breaks loose, resulting in her client getting killed. Instead of standing and screaming, our intrepid heroine uses her lithe bod and her trusty earrings to escape, taking one "Strider" O'Brian (this is the third book I have reviewed this month with "Strider" heroes, glut from LOTR!), with everyone chasing in their wake.

This is one delightfully wild, tongue-firmly-through-cheek tales that takes off and never lets up from start to finish. It's seasoned with a wickedly funny sense of humor, that has a touch of movie adoration tossed in. It is madcap comedy reminiscent of Hollywood romps of the 40s. A great aim, but can the writer pull it off? Yeppers, big time! Hot Stuff is absolutely dead bang on target from the homage to films past to romance lovers at heart and those of us who enjoy a good belly laugh along the way.

After returning from a tour of India, I decided I needed to learn more about this country. Mr. Anderson's book is a true look into this country. This book digs deep into the sights, smells, sounds and feel of India. A very easy read and a great travel log. I hope Mr Anderson continues to write.

In December 2004, the author left his home in North Carolina to study
yoga in India. Anderson found enlightenment in the land of Gandhi and
Mother Teresa, but not in the way he expected. The moment he stepped
foot in India, his lessons began. To quote the author directly:

"India asks existential questions, and demands immediate
reply. How can you square what you see here with your omnipotent,
benevolent God? You can't. What will you make of your life? What
purpose do your many pleasures serve when millions suffer unrelenting
pain?"

Anderson's odyssey begins in Delhi and proceeds through several
cities, including Calcutta. Calcutta, especially, left an impression
on his body, mind, and spirit. Five-star hotels co-exist there with
squalor beyond American comprehension. Caustic pollution burned his
eyes and seared his lungs as he walked the streets of Calcutta.
Emaciated street children fought with feral dogs over scraps of
rotting food on mountains of trash. People with leprosy, birth
defects, and infections begged from every street and gutter. And yet,
despite living in such unspeakable conditions, the sweet spirit and
inner light of the people shone clearly through their eyes and smiles.

Yes, walking the slums of Calcutta enlightened the healthy, successful
American lawyer and writer. After days of experiencing the sounds,
scents, sights of horrible human suffering, and toxic air, Anderson
was too sick to stand, too emotionally drained to weep. He returned
home determined to do all one man could to offset the suffering he saw
in Calcutta.

The Light Within is beautifully written; Anderson shares his
experiences powerfully with readers. He speaks not only for himself
but all humanity - the armless and legless, the perfect and healthy.
Along with writing this book, Anderson established the Calcutta
Children's Permanent Fund, an endowment providing medical and
nutritional support to the street children of Calcutta.

Joseph Anderson has the unique ability to bring the reader through a vivid and heart-wrenching experience of life in India. He takes the reader to places few tourists would venture, and he describes the challenges he encounters --from extreme poverty to personal discovery -- with a deep understanding of human emotion and a personal connection to our sense of sight, sound and smell. If you want to experience what life is truly like in India, through the eyes of someone who connects deeply with humanity, read this book!

Joseph Anderson's "The Light Within" may be the first book written as
a blog. Undertaking a pilgrimage to India (to study with yoga
masters) after his father's death, Anderson promised his mother to
keep in touch with daily blogs. It's evident that the blog was
written not only to his recently widowed mother, but to himself as he
recites his daily activities in England, Paris, and, most
importantly, India. The account goes far beyond a travelogue: it is
part diary, part meditation, part exultation, moves from description
to interpretation to philosophy, even to poetry! Anderson's language
is fluid and often lyrical, even at its most spontaeous. The
narrative is most alive when he gets beyond the touristy days in
England and France and arrives in India; he spares nothing in his
deeply sensory-and deeply moral-account of this land which offers
both splendid beauty and utter degradation. The fact that he has now
begun a foundation to rescue children of Calcutta from poverty,
ignorance, filth, and disease demonstrates the powerful impact this
experience had on him, one that will be shared by sensitive readers.

Pick up Mr. Anderson's book and find a compelling travelogue through India and all-too-human emotional terrain. The writing is fluid and graceful and you will find yourself immersed in the journey of this soul. You will find a wide variety of experience on display, from the haunts of modern London to the very heart of Calcutta and beyond.

Well worth a read!

I went to India twice, the first time for 4 months, and sadhus are definetly one of the most interesting people of the hindu world. Obviously their lifestyle is not comprehended by westerners and even less by closed-minded people who probably have never been to another continent with a different culture (as reviewer fro Hawaii); or if they have, they still have'nt learned to respect the differences and traditions among different societies. Since my first trip to India I saw this book on many bookstores there, and after comparing it to many others this is the one with the best pictures of the holly men. Incomprehension should not be a cause of disrespect; actually, this has caused wars, and still does.

If an ordinary worldly-minded person was to read this book, there would only be two extreme reactions. One would feel shocked and disgusted while the other would be filled with deep admiration for this class of human beings. I belong to the latter!

While reading this book, I felt a great shift of my consciousness to a higher plane. It was as if most of the sadhus were blessing me and were aware that I was reading about their fascinating way of life. It is definitely light years away from the modern world! The pictures of these holy men were simply breath-taking and the authors objective view (filled with subtle humour) of these sadhus is amazingly filled with reverence and a deep understanding of Hindu philosophy.

If one were to visit India, he/she must pay a visit to these holy men. That is the REAL India!

The men (and very occasionally women) portrayed in this inconspicuous volume are compelling in the extreme. It is only necessary to gaze at their faces and ash-dusted bodies to fully appreciate the gift of this work. But the author/photographer offers so much more.

As a study in psychology in extremis, the wealth of behavioral detail and description is satisfying. And the diverse, often incredibly imaginative, rituals of self-abnegation are conveyed with tremedous sensitivty and scrupulous balance.

The text is dense, and possibly impenetrable in places. It is academic in its emphasis on getting every possible relevant detail down. So one is met with an avalanche of esoterica upon delving in.

Perhaps the writing assumes a bit of knowlege and sophistication in Eastern ways? But it really doesn't matter anyway. Somehow a sense of what is important filters through after a while. And the photo captions are well-written and fascinating.

This is a picture of a society of devotees who have given it ALL up in order to stay exquisitely near to the timeless, pitiless cycle of death and regeneration that powers all life. The book itself is clearly an act of devotion to that extaordinay commitment.

This is a beautiful book about a bunch of morons. The basic fallacy of this book is that the people written about in this book are "mystic holy men" and that living a life of asceticism and renunciation and smearing your body with ashes and doing a bunch of rituals will bring enlightenment. Total hogwash.

This is one of my favorite books. Just by looking at the pictures I feel as though I am put in a higher state of consciousness. These men - and a few women - are fascinating. The pictures are beautifully done, and the text is very informative and provides information regarding the different groups of Sadhus and their - by our society's standards - unusual practices.

Two things that I found interesting about this book were: the discussion of rituals done by the Sadhus with the intention of shedding light on the non-duality of life ("life is death, death is life"), and that to the Sadhu "rationality" is not the prime objective in life. The book says that what is considered rational is too grounded in the transient world of appearances to be of concern to the Sadhu. The goal of the Sadhu is to go beyond the world of appearances and duality, and that often means going beyond what the world would consider rational.

This is a group of people that most of us will probably never be able to fully understand, and I certainly do not claim that I do. But I find them fascinating and very inspiring. This book is one of the best documentations of their life and world which, as the book mentions, may sadly be coming to an end due to the influence of the West.

This is a great recipe book for both Indian and East African food, especially for the North American cook. Some of the recipes capitalize on available convenience foods such as frozen hash browns or frozen vegetables (in a good way). I have tried a variety of recipes from this book and they've been quite good, including fish, vegetable, lentil/bean, chicken, and bread recipes. The recipe for mkate wa sinia (kumimina) is excellent, and the method translated from cooking with charcoal to the gas/electric stove. The photos are clear and many in number, although often put in parts of the book far from the recipe.

I have a few complaints about this book. One, my copy is missing half of the index (which I assume is just an unfortunate but unique case). Two, the samaki wa kupaka is way off, as its downright frightening photo (a fish swimming in a yellow gravy) attests -- it should be a light tamarind marinade, not a gloppy turmeric sauce poured over the top. Three, the authors include a recipe for vitumbua that requires, according to their own notes, a pan found only in Zanzibar. Actually, an aebleskiver pan could make an acceptable substitute.

That being said, "Simply Indian" is a very useful resource.

Upbeat and user-friendly, this book uses simple cooking techniques and more often than not, calls for ingredients you can find anywhere. I've tried out four recipes so far and they've all been hits with my family. We really like the Sheesk Kebabs with Tomato Sauce, the Chicken Palak (spinach curry) and Masoor Daal Curry. The recipes often leave salt out of the picture and usually I have to add some, but otherwise the beauty of this book is the emphasis on the natural flavor of foods, not a dependency on oils and heavy creams like you'd find in restaurant versions of these dishes. Since all the readers are raving about the Butter Chicken, I can't wait to try that one next!

Gulab Jamun and Butter chicken...two things I love in Indian meals but very hard to make..and I did it in following Taheras simple steps...I love it...now next try ....three variations of rasmalia....I love this book ..150 plus recipes...one can just go crazy ...and the steps ...so easy to follow....

I took two of Tahera's cooking classes 3 years ago. I am pleased that she's finally published her book. I was quite surprised to see it mentioned in a 2003 Cosmopolitan article about enhancing your sensuality!

The chicken bhiryana is the best chicken dish I've put into my mouth. I like it better than butter chicken. The vegetarian samosas don't last long on any table. In general, all the dishes are tasty, and most can be easily prepared for a week-day supper. This is a great collection of recipes for a beginner in Indian cooking.

What a beautiful book! I'm so glad I have it.

The recipes are easy to understand and so much fun. I've wanted a book to teach me Indian cooking for a long time, and this book is all I needed, because it has soooooooo many recipes! (Actually, it has *every* Indian recipe I've ever wanted and more.) =)

I wish you could see the inside, because it's so pretty - it looks really authentic and the pictures are so vivid and glossy - I can't believe it's so cheap!!! Oh, and it's got lots of tips and there's a little blurb about each dish that is sometimes quite funny (and always helpful). :)

...and get a better understanding to not follow fad diets, but instead adopt a new lifestyle. Practical knowledge everyone needs to get FIT and stay that way. RECOMMEND.

I'd give this book six stars if I could. Why doesn't Amazon have six stars? They should have a six-star rating for when you feel absolutely magnanimous. Anyone with an ounce of fat around their midrift would create a six-star rating. Anyway. I'd give it six stars, and each star would represent the ten pounds I've lost as a result of this book. That's right -- I've lost forty pounds! And never felt better in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you K. Colton. Anyone who squirts whipped cream on bacon can see that Miss Colton (may I call her Katharine?) is solely, heroically responsible for the exquisite recipe of style, information, encouragement, and good sense that informs this useful, intrepid, necessary (dare I say magnificent?) literature of self-actualization. For that is what occurs when one sheds the outer layers matter what your weight. But anyway. Great book

I agree with the other 5-star reviews I've seen. This is this well written, sensible guide without the hype and false promises of the typical "diet book" (and the price is a real bargain as well). I'd recommend it to anyone.

This is by far the best book on dieting I've ever read. Not just a diet but a whole new healthy way of eating. So far I've been able to lose 60 pounds by following the sensible eating guidelines in the book. These guidelines are flexible enough so you don't feel deprived. Anyone who is serious about loosing weight and feeling good at the same time should give this a try.

Thank god this book doesn't have the same jokey, smarmy tone of those Complete Idiot's Guides. It's totally accessible but not "dumbed down" or condescending, and it's packed with good, realistic advice. Most important, the author has a great attitude about weight loss: do it for your physical and mental health, not because you want to look like a Vogue model. Her advice hits the mark.

This book is very important in my life. I first read it in 1970 when I was on a furious hunt for 'Truth', the meaning of life, etc. At that time I owned several books by Sri Aurobindo, including the "Life Divine". But they were all heavy, erudite tomes. Then I read Satprem's poetic, inspiring treatment of Aurobindo's life. I cannot describe here the ecstatic opening of consciousness that reading this book gave. It was as though every word was on fire. And the same with Aurobindo's book on "The Mother".
Sri Aurobindo (and the Mother), are Co-Avatars of the Supramental. But that's another story.

The author is a student of Aurobindo's and 'The Mother'. Aurobindo's experience and description have an uncommon breadth and depth to them. Where most disciplines stop (Nirvana) Aurobindo is just getting started. This book is well written in readable english. Satprem does a fine job of presenting some history of Sri Aurobindo as well as the core teachings of this rare individual.

Sri Aurobindo was, in the opinion of many yogis, the greatest saint who was generally available to the public in modern times. (The caveat is because there are great souls who prefer to remain hidden.) Though his wisdom was vast and his discoveries in deep meditation greatly advanced our understanding of humanity's capabilities, his writings are so huge and dense, that comparitively few have understood the majesty of the man's philosophy. That is why Sat Prem's book is so valuable. You will never find a more succinct or readable tome on Aurobindo. It is the perfect introduction to the work of this great master, who deserves to be much better known in the West.

Sri Aurobindo was, in the opinion of many yogis, the greatest saint who was generally available to the public in modern times. (The caveat is because there are great souls who prefer to remain hidden.) Though his wisdom was vast and his discoveries in deep meditation greatly advanced our understanding of humanity's capabilities, his writings are so huge and dense, that comparitively few have understood the majesty of the man's philosophy. That is why Sat Prem's book is so valuable. You will never find a more succinct or readable tome on Aurobindo. It is the perfect introduction to the work of this great master, who deserves to be much better known in the West.

The writings of Aurobindo are enormous. As much as one might wish to bathe in the wisdom of this extraordinary man, the task is too much for most of due to the massive tomes we would confront. However, Satprem has magnificently synthesised the life work of Aurobindo. Not only has he accomplished this task well, but the subtelty, the depth of vision that Satprem manages to convey, says to me that he is himself someone who has great insight, has great life experience and spiritual maturity.

Stephen Bezruchka has prepared a valuable and complete guide to trekking in the Nepal / Everest region. The book offers practical advise from years of personal experience for anyone thinking about a trip to the area. Bezruchka also creates a much needed ecological awareness and offers substantial insight into the culture of Nepal. The book is much more than a travel guide and just plain interesting. I don't often give books five stars, but this work was beyond my highest expectations - a labor of love. Highly recommended!

This is the book that first opened my eyes to Nepal and its culture. It's much more than a guidebook: it has a sensitivity and compassion for its subject that is almost unique in the field of travel writing. It doesn't coddle you with if-it's-day-three-this-must-be-Namche route descriptions, but lets you find your own adventure and gain profound insights along the way. It also has an extensive medical section.

This is the most fantastic travel guide I've ever used and the only one you will need in Nepal. Bezruchka's love and respect for the Nepali people is evident in every line and will enhance your journey to Nepal as well. We followed his advice and had a much richer experience for it. We watched other tourists who didn't follow his advice being laughed at and ignored. The language book and tape that you can order were incredibly helpful, way better than any dictionary. We were able to converse competently which made a huge difference in our experience. Don't bother with the Lonely Planet guide, which just tells you how to get through the country as cheaply as possible. There is so much more to experiencing Nepal than saving a buck here and buck there.

While the completeness of Bezruchka's guide cannot be faulted the tone and style certainly don't compare to Jamie McGuinness's book on the same topic. In comparison this book was quite a chore to read especially since it is peppered with sermons on globalization. An extremely capable guide but there are good alternatives you may find more enjoyable.

Fifteen years ago I started my trekking company's operation in Nepal with information from this book! The trek descriptions and the information on organizing a trek offer all the nuts and bolts. The background information is fascinating as are Dr. Bezruchka's views on poverty and culture shock.

Jay Kinney, in "Whole Earth Review," wrote of this work:
"Frithjof Schuon's Understanding Islam...delves into the depths of Islam... Schuon does not hesitate to draw parallels between Islam and other faiths, particularly Hinduism. He also takes the reader into the esoteric (or inner) essence of Islam, where traditions and laws are given unexpected twists. If you have ever had any doubts about Islam being a satisfying framework for intellectual inquiry, this book should lay them to rest."

This book presupposes a basic familiarity with Islam. Rather than being an encyclopedic source of information, it offers keys to elucidating the universal symbolism of Divine Reality as manifested within the Islamic revelation. At the same time, it gives excellent comparisons between different world religions viewed in their essentiality. Highly recommended for serious readers.

I just started reading the book.
It is written in a very subtle way. Lots of insight. I can't wait to finish the last page. It would be a good recommendation for anyone interested in understanding Islam and Muslim thinking. It also is a good reading for someone who has enough knowledge about Islam for it gives more food for thought and challenging perspectives.

What an amazing book. Somewhat difficult to read, you need a dictionary next to you. But what amazing insights this man has not just into the world of Islam but religion as a whole. I should clarify that the insights he has always existed in religious traditions, what is amazing is his ability to convey it clearly to the modern man. I cannot recommend this book enough. You will need a good understanding of Islam to really appreciate it. Some of his insights has left me in awe. Truly has changed my outlook towards things. It's interesting to note that above all the religions he has studied and known intimately, he chose to accept Islam.

Although i have my doubts about Schuon as a person and as a sufi,especially considering his absurd behaviour in later life(Allahualim),this book is an indespensible companion to anyone serious about learning Islam.

It is a book which one will constantly refer to..as the points it makes,become clearer over time and experince.The greatness of schuons work is that his ideas are from the realm of experience not specualtion alone .You can only feel what he writes about,or only understand it having experinced it.This is not the work of a dry scholar,who speaks artfully,but soulessly from a pedestal,to a religous public he intellectually scorns.This is the work of a man who lived what he talked about,to the point or past the point of losing his mind.
The downside to Schuon is that his work is too involved at the level of the intellect(even though he refers to it as the divine intellect) and can consume you in a world of concepts. At a certain point one will have to abandon such a mentally overwhelming approach and adopt simplicity.
Whilst all orthodox paths may be valid as Schuon states,in his persoanl life he tried to reconcile too many opposing streams of divine influence and became exactly the kind of victim he was so opposed to?
A friend of mine who tried for years to find Schuon was advised by Ann Marie Schimmel,that Schuons books were very useful,but meeting the person himself was otherwise.
Very valuable as mentioned,but dont take everything as gospel..even though its intitial brilliance will dazzle you.!

Long regarded as a masterpiece, this book should be read not only as an original, profound and beautiful view of the spiritual philosophy, rituals, art and culture of Islam, but also as a much needed intelligent introduction to Religion in general, Religion with a capital "R", Religion as such. In this respect, the "genial" insights of Schuon concerning the inner treasuries of Christianity (especially in the 4th chapter) should be emphasized.

Schuon was an intellectual and a spiritual genius, and in this book this genius is shown simultaneously in his visions of Islam, of Christianity, and of Religion as such.

This is a nice book (and a good value) but the only real connection between Bombay and Miami Beach is that the author lived in both places. Sure, both cities have Art Deco but as I looked through this I was startled that the authors tried to make a Miami Beach connection, when the buildings in Bombay appear to be "separated at birth" from places you see in London or Sydney. Have a look at the Victoria Coach Station in London and you'll see what I mean.

Of course this makes sense since India, Australia and New Zealand were all outposts of the British empire.

Bombay Art Deco is a beautiful book in many ways. The colorful photos of the Art Deco buildings complement the well-written prose. Navin Ramani is the perfect person to write such a book. He grew up in a Bombay Art Deco building as a child and now lives in South Florida and has immersed himself Miami Beach Art Deco. He truly loves and respects the architecture and is an advocate for its preservation. He takes beautiful photos, too.

As a Miami Beach Art Deco guide myself, I loved the chapter on BoMi(BOmbay-MIami Beach), A Tale of Two subtropical Deco Cities. The chapter compares the similar climate, seaside geography, optimism and Hollywood ties of Bombay and Miami Beach. On one page is a Miami Beach landmark and on the facing page is a comparable Bombay landmark. The similarities are truly amazing and one could easily be interchanged with the other. For example, the Indian Merchants Chamber (1935-40) is juxtaposed to what is now Jerry's Famous Deli (1940). The caption is "Curves folding in on curves."

I recommend this book to anyone who likes Art Deco. AFter reading this book, you will want to travel to Bombay to see these buildings for yourself.

Myself and my wife have just bought an art deco apartment in Sydney's inner western suburbs where there was a proliferation of small (generally 4-8 residence) deco style blocks built through the 20's, 30's and early 40's. When we were searching out books to learn more about the style elsewhere in the world this book on Bombay Art Deco really stood out, partly because my wife is an early career South Asian historian (with a specialization on modern Delhi) and neither or us had any idea that there was this collection of buildings in Mumbai. Dehli has its own Art Deco architecture exemplified by buildings like the Imperial Hotel which is a mix of Art Deco luxory and imperial Raj projection of power. However the style in Bombay exemplified in this book looks like it's something different again; sub-tropical and closer to holly-bolly-wood glam in parts than imperial grandeur. We'll be traveling to Mumbai next October for the first time to see these buildings first hand and to take some photos - we reckon this book has given us some great ideas on where to go and what to look for.

A superb tribute to the whole art deco movement, this book is also a loving tribute to one evocative facet of Bombay,her art deco glory.

Excellent job Navin, brings back memories of those beautiful cinema halls where we would take in morning shows bunking off from college, walks along the Oval maidan (hearing Wilson Pickett at your place) and up Phirozeshah Mehta road and across Fountain to Rhythm House...past Dhanraj Mahal and into the Sea Lounge for endless refills of coffee patiently poured by Mr D'Souza until closing time.

One of those rare books that makes one say WHAT a city!!

Who would have thought that Bombay would have the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami Beach. There is a photo on pages 272-273 of Marine Drive, Bombay and you could be forgiven for thinking, at a quick glance, that this might be Ocean Drive, Miami. Navin Ramani reveals the background to this remarkable architectural heritage in the front of his book: the opening of the Suez Canal, a merchant class settling in Bombay, the city becomes the center of the Indian architectural profession and extensive land reclamation from 1929 all helped to create a unique Far Eastern Deco habitat.

The book's many photos show plenty of apartments and commercial buildings with their concrete curved lines, geometric floor patterns and streamlined appearance. It's unfortunate though that the photos also show plenty pipe-work and aircon units spoiling the external look of so many of them. It is the movie palaces that really show off the Deco style. The interiors of the five featured bubble over with streamline curves, recessed lighting and flamboyant marble floor patterns.

Ramani's book will surely be the definitive one about Bombay deco but I was rather disappointed with many of the author's photos. They lack a sharpness and the color is rather muted and dull. I became aware of this when I compared them with Arnold Schwartzman's clean, focused photos of Deco LAndmarks: Art Deco Gems of Los Angeles and in fact there is a good example of the photographic difference in Ramani's book on pages 256-257, on the left is a dull, flat photo of 63 Marine Drive, Bombay and the right a similar looking Hotel Victor in Miami but the photo is sharp, clean and colorful. Still, despite this Bombay Art Deco is certainly worth having if you love this exuberant architecture.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.