India Books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All in all this book is for you !

Happy Reading !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mary Ellen Mark likes to go deep into her subject matter. This is a unique record of the fast-vanishing world of the Big Top Circus - Indian style! The circus was imported into India from Europe in 1880. Although it is a rare commodity today in Europe, it continues to exist in pockets of the subcontinent, having changed little over the decades. However, with rapid globalization, it is but a matter of time before this art becomes extinct. As a collector of documentary photography, I can attest that this book is one of the finest examples of the medium.

Mary Ellen Mark is an outstanding photographer. This is among her best work. Her superb technique complements her incisive portraiture. She has studied the circuses of India carefully and captured something of the soul of her subjects. Many of the performers that she photographs are young, and for all intents and purposes are indentured servants. Their lives are filled with pathos, but also with immense pride in what they do. It is impossible not to be moved by this wonderful book. I recommend it highly.

After ataking the class in Philadelphia,this offers information,that compliments class taken.It would also be good to have if interested in massage.

As a Massage Therapist, I work using the technique described in this book and also run courses in teaching the technique, I found this book a wonderful read, it is very simply laid out - beautifully presented and very easy to follow for both the practised practitioner and also for anyone interested in the art of massage for use on their loved ones.

The slides in this book are all in color which is great. Even though it says from cave temples to the colonial period there is not much on the earlier cave temple times. I think it serves more as background information on the Mughal period art. Of which, the book focuses on with a brief look at some 20th century pieces. Overall it is a good read with analysis of the work it contains. A very nice museum collection. Well worth it!

Over a hundred examples of Indian painting history and styles, in full color, grace the pages of INDIAN PAINTING FROM CAVE TEMPLES TO THE COLONIAL PERIOD, a far-reaching survey of illustrations selected for their ability to reach the non-artist, non-Indian-specialist viewer. A history of Indian painting styles and trends covers scriptures, music-inspired images, and historical renditions while full-page color selections liberally dose almost every page. Over a hundred works from the MFA's holdings make for an exceptional presentation.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Most critics and scholars, especially in the west often dismiss and even ridicule popular Indian cinema owing to its idiosyncratic musical format, melodrama and playing to the gallery. This book provides a refreshing counter-argument, while analysing how popular cinema has affected the way of life in India, and how it might be significant to a western audience.

The book is well-researched and very enjoyable. Without going into too much details about specific films, it tries to highlight the trends and unique genres developed in Indian films over a century. Having grown up on Hindi movies all my life, I found the book interesting, but I think it is more relevant to the western audience. It provides a good introduction and starting point to those just discovering the magical world of Hindi movies.

For those who are into in-depth study of Indian cinema, I recommend "Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema" by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willeman.

A knowledgeable and affectionate look at 90 years of Indian cinema, the cultural values it portrays and the influence it has had on the evolution of modern Indian society. I enjoyed it immensely and strongly recommend it both to cinema buffs everywhere and to all those interested in better understanding the complex web of traditions, prejudices and feelings that make India a compulsive focus of attraction to travellers and observers of social change.

I can't decide who loved this book more, me or my children! Together we have read many of the stories over and over again.

This is a book that is both insightful and fun. The stories are simple and straightforward but also carry deeper meanings and significance.

Plus the illustrations are a bonus! They paint a rich and descriptive picture of the Indian subcontinent.

"Damayanti and Nala," the love story was my favorite.

Well done Nanji.

Book Review

Title: Indian Tales
Author: Shenaaz Nanji
Illustrator: Christopher Corr
Publisher: Barefoot Books
ISBN: 978-1-84686-083-6
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

Vibrant. Alluring. Brilliant. Indian Tales by Shenaaz Nanji and illustrated by Christopher Corr is a phenomenal collection of daily life stories from different regions of India. Each section takes on the personality of the region and brings forward the colors and imagery from that region's lifestyle and legends.

Together the collection of stories weave a beautifully written work of art that will delight children and adults alike. From the tale of the young drummer boy named Gopal to the royal narrative about the princess Damayanti, Indian Tales delivers a book filled with information, poetry and culturally-rich images that promise to enchant adolescent readers.

It is a book that begs to be read and reread over and over again. Nanji does a superior job winning the interest of readers and keeping them coming back from more. Readers will explore deeper into the regions with each read and images will continue to reinforce the information learned. Indian Tales is an important piece of cultural literature and should be on the top of wish lists for schools and libraries around the global.