Book reviews 2014

Book Reviews

Legendotes of Hyderabad

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Legendotes of Hyderabad Author: Narendra Luther

Publisher: Niyogi Books, New Delhi

(Pp 258, ISBN 978-93-83098-17-0, Rs 995)

Here’s yet another art & illustrated book from the house of Niyogi Books. Printed on art paper with beautiful images from Hyderabad, the book is a treat for the eyes. The birth of Hyderabad is rooted in two legends. One is the early-teen love affair of Prince Mohammad Quli with Bhagmati, a beautiful singer and dancer. The other is the decree issued by him as the sultan of Golkonda that a new city should be constructed which would be a replica of heaven. It was earlier called Bhagnagar, after his beloved Bhagmati. Such legendotes, as the author calls them, form a chain of gripping snippets from the history of Hyderabad and the basis of this book. It is an interesting book and a collector’s item. 

–Varsha Verma 

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Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince

Author: Anuja Chandramouli

Publisher: Platinum Press, an imprint of Leadstart Publishing, Mumbai

(Pp 363, ISBN 978-93-8157-63-97, Rs 250)

Arjuna is the immortal tale of one of India’s greatest heroes. This Pandava warrior- prince has been a fascinating person for one and all. 

The book is a collection of episodes from Arjuna’s life (some well known, others relatively obscure), gleaned through years of painstaking research and then presented in a seamless narrative with the uninhibited panache and style of a 21st century writer. It spans his journey from before his birth, when omens foretold his greatness, across the fabled, wondrous landscape that was his life. This is the intense and human story of his loves, friendships, ambitions, weaknesses and follies, as well as his untimely death and revival. 

The book will appeal to both general readers as well as scholars. 

- V Verma 

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself

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Author: Neeru Sachdeva

Publisher: Lotus Press, New Delhi

(Pp 230, ISBN 978-81-8382-232-9, Rs 125)

Self-help books are always in demand and every now and then we see a new book on the rack. An average person easily gets stuck in the daily routine of life. The book aims to help you turn that way of thinking around and motivate you to reach your desired goals. Simple, easy-to-follow tips, the book prepares you to face the harsh realities of life and emerge as a happy, satisfied and successful person. 

The language is simple and can be read by students, home-makers, besides the management professionals as well. 

- Vasu V 

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Story of a Bollywood Song

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Author: Vijay Ranchan

Publisher: Abhinav Publications, New Delhi

(Pp 130, ISBN 978-81-701-7551-3, Rs 550)

What is Bollywood without its lovely songs? Well, it is unimaginable. The Story of a Bollywood Song traces the evolution of a Hindi film song from the time of silent movies to the era of talkies. The book depicts certain incidents and situations during the process of composition, narrating the contextual background of a song. These stories are illustrative of the gradual as well as the simultaneous evolution of a Hindi film song. As we hear it today. Each milestone in the evolution of a Bollywood song has a story to tell – be it the story of a Jesuit Father, or of the first test recording, or of the mendicant-beggar song, or of a song sung by a princess or a rebel commoner, and so on. 

This interesting book has some interesting pictures as well, showcasing singers from the yesteryears – Jamshedji, Ardeshiriji, Jahanara, Noorjahan, Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar, 

Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, besides the modern-day maestro AR Rehman. A well-written book, which can enchant a general reader as well as those who wish to know more about the legendary Bollywood songs. 

- Vasu Vt

Chanakya’s 7 Secrets of Leadership

Authors: Radhakrishnan Pillai and D Sivanandhan
Publisher: Jaico Publishing house, Mumbai
(Pp 232, ISBN 978-81-8495-401-2, Rs 299)

Want to transform yourself into an ideal leader? Well, who can be the better guru than Chanakya, who was a leadership guru par excellence. The treasure of his teachings can be found in his treatise, Arthashastra, which deals with good governance based on ideal leadership. The concept of the ideal nation in the Arthashastra, called saptanga, holds that there are seven pillars of a kingdom: swami, amatya, janpada, durg, kosha, dand and mitra. 

This author Radhakrishnan Pillai delves into Chanakya’s saptanga, with the real-life example of D Sivanandhan, former director of police, Mahrashtra. Together, Pillai and Sivanandhan bring Chanakya’s model to life. One can apply them in life and see the Chanakya’s wisdom transform one into the ideal leader. 

- Varsha 

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More Than Just Biryani

Author: Andaleeb Wajid
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 360, ISBN 978-93-81506-40-0, Rs 399)

Don’t go by the name of the book, it is not a recipe book but a novel. It is a fascinating story of a young woman Zubi who is unable to communicate with the people she loves and so turns to food as a way of showing her affection. But soon, she realizes that it is food that helps her forge an identity for herself. Readers can cook along as Zubi’s stories travel through time, facing the challenges of life, the emotional complexities of family relationships, discovering identities, overcoming fears and above all, embracing love. 

The choice of words is fantastic, sometimes you can actually smell the delicacies prepared in the book! 

- Varsha 

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A Soft Eclipse

Author: Jayabrato Chatterjee
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 258, ISBN 978-93-81506-42-4, Rs 299)

A chronicle of any middle-class girl trapped in the city’s so called elite El Dorado, A Soft Eclipse touches the heart of the readers at the right place. Set in Kolkata, the book takes us behind the superficial high society. It reveals the disturbing lives and unfamiliar narratives in shockingly familiar surroundings. 

The author Jayabroto Chaterjee is a film maker, literary editor and corporate communicator. He has portrayed the woman in the story so realistically that you often think if this book has been written by a female. Written in first voice, the book will appeal to all those who wish to peep into the mind of a woman. 

- V Verma 

Almond Tree, Maharaja in Denims

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Maharaja in Denims

Author: Khushwant Singh
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 176, ISBN 978-93-81506-43-1, Rs 250)

The author Khushwant Singh is a writer, columnist (Punjabi by Nature' in the Hindustan Times) and TV show host. Though, he has previously authored three books: Sikhs Unlimited, Mending Soul, and Turbaned Tornado, this is his first novel – a historical fiction. It is an intriguing narrative of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, commonly known as the Lion of Punjab, through the eyes of a teenager named Hari, who believes he is a reincarnation of the maharaja. When Suzanne, Hari’s girlfriend, attempts to decode Hari's past life through the practice of regression, she is shocked to discover that Hari has had more than one tumultuous past lives. An emotional drama with shades of politics and the tragic after-effects of the assassination of the former prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi, it makes an interesting and intense read!

–Varsha Verma

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The Golden Jubilee

Author: Subrata Dasgupta
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 217, ISBN 978-93-81506-38-7, Rs 325)

As the name suggests, the book is woven around the Golden Jubilee wedding anniversary celebration of a Bengali-American couple. But it is not just that, all the family members gather together for the special day and it becomes as much a time of bonds lost and recovered, a time of remembrance of long-buried and willfully forgotten pasts, of confessions and self-discovery, of acceptances and rejections and a time when old personal conundrums are finally resolved. It can be a story of any household.

The narratives are a succession of first person tales, which are good in the sense that they show how each individual thinks but sometimes it seems a repetition of the instances. But, the story looks very real and makes us think of our own family ties.

–Varsha Verma 

The Almond Tree

Author: Michelle Cohen Corasanti
Publisher: FingerPrint!, an imprint of Prakash Books India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
(Pp 352, ISBN 978-81-7234-487-0, Rs 295)

If I have to describe the book in one line, I would say ‘A beautiful work that touches your heart to the core – it teaches you life’s difficult lessons and shows how a man’s determination can change his world and the people he loves.’

Set up in the time when the war between Palestinians and Israelis was on, the book shows how lives were ruined, people were butchered or imprisoned for no reason. How a happy well-to-do family is shattered, with nothing to eat and no place to sleep. The story revolves about a boy Ahmed Hamid, who uses his intellect to save his poor and dying family. What really impress is his positive attitude towards life and his undying hope for a better future. Torn between his family and his aspirations, Ahmed succeeds in bringing a turnaround in his life.

The style of writing and the choice of words is brilliant…you actually feel you are a part of the story. A well-written book that deserves appreciation and recognition!

–Varsha Verma 

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The Cosmic Clues

Author: Manjiri Prabhu
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House, Mumbai
(Pp 316, ISBN 978-81-8495-479-1, Rs 299)

Claimed to be India’s first astro-detective novel, the book is about a detective agency that uses horoscopes to solve cases. When a young detective agent Sonia Samarth starts her private investigation agency guided by Hindu astrology, it raised many eyebrows. Soon, Sonia proved her mettle by solving various cases.

But, one has to look at one’s own stars as well…was all this destined in Sonia’s life? She needs to know the invisible thread that binds all the cases she has solved. Life has its own ways and who can better understand than a person who believes in astrology. Different but interesting, the book will be liked by people who love mystery as well as those who have some faith in astrology.

–Varsha Verma 

Faith for Life

Translated by: SM Haricharan
Publisher: Prism Books Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru
(Pp 98, ISBN 978-81-7286-759-1, Rs 99)

The book, translated from original Kannada version Baligondu Nambike, is a very lucid presentation of a thinking and visionary mind to depict the then state of nation, when India was experiencing the newly obtained independence in 1950. The book introduces us to fundamental questions of life and enables us to answer ourselves for developing a vision and responsibility to our life. The book drives three attributes of human life – enthusiasm, human endeavour and social consciousness. It is not a self-help book but it motivates and guides you on the roads of life.

–Varsha Verma 

Book Reviews

Super Memory – It Can be Yours

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(Ageless Memory in 12 Practical Lessons)
Author: Shakuntala Devi
Publisher: Orient Publishing
(Pp 238, ISBN 978-81-22-205077, Rs 295)

Have you ever said, “It was in my head but I forgot it…” or “I am sorry, I can’t recall.” Then, this is the book for you. Through this book, Shakuntala Devi claims that you can develop a mind that is more focused, less wayward, less absent-minded and more present-minded.

The book is spread into 12 chapters, each focusing on particular topics like remembering names, remembering faces, remembering telephone numbers, memorizing the longest number in the world, etc. Then, there are some mind-boggling card tricks for everyone and memory tricks and treats.

An interesting book, powered with Shakuntala Devi’s easy-to-understand language and step-by-step approach to super memory. As she puts it, “Take my word. You can start applying memory-enhancing techniques immediately, right now. Before you realize, applying methods and strategies will become your second nature.”

–Vasu V

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Secrets of Power Problem Solving

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Author: Roger Dawson
Publisher: Third Eye, (an imprint of Pentagon Press)
(Pp 220, ISBN 978-81-8274-534-6, Rs 195)

The author Roger Dawson is the renowned best-selling author of 16 books, including Secrets of Power Negotiating and Secrets of Power Persuasion. This book is something that everyone needs: a way to solve life’s problems.

This book provides proven techniques and sure-fire strategies for solving everything the world throws at you. The book shows how to treat every problem as an opportunity, making intuition work for you, evaluating the available choices and creating options when you see no solution. Most importantly, the book also helps to avoid problems in the first place. The book says there are only two types of problems - people and money but both have a solution.

A ready-reckoner, the book is an indispensable tool for everyone to make life easier. Problem will come but then you know how to get the right solution. Read on those secrets.

–Vasu V

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In Search of Meaning

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-A spiritual perspective of Management
Author: Moid Siddiqui
Publisher: Prism Books Pvt Ltd
(Pp 223, ISBN 81-7286-685-2, Rs 250)

Lord Buddha had rightly said, “Life is not worth living without a purpose or meaning.” Infact, life is like a melting ice cube; we know but never realize this! We need to understand it and create some purpose and meaning in it – both in life and business. The author has tried to question the happenings, beliefs and events in business and social environments, and presents to us the right and noble practices in these contexts.

The book will be of great help to those who are serious about life and believe in using the right means for gains. They can be CEOs, entrepreneurs, managers, consultants, research scholars, students and even housewives who wish to seek a purpose of their life and business. An interesting and inspiring book for all!

–V Verma

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Chittorgarh: The Braveheart of Rajputana

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Author: Dharmendra Kanwar
Photographs: Abhijit Singh Jhala
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 236, ISBN: 978-93-81523-02-5, Rs 795)

A lot has been said about the bravado and gallantry of the soldiers, chiefs and rulers of Chittor; there is also enough written and spoken about the pride and heroism of the queens and common women in Chittorgarh Fort. Who can forget the devotion of Meera Bai towards Lord Krishna, Panna Dhai’s sacrifice in Mewar or the Rana Pratap, Rani Padmini, Karnawati, Jaimal, etc.

This book is an attempt to pay tribute to the stories of bravado, loyalty, sacrifice and gallantry of Chittor. Though it is not an exhaustive recount of the selfless sacrifices of the people, it gives a fair view of the emotions that the history of Chittor unfolds.

Beautiful pictures of palaces, paintings and memorials add life to the history of Chittor. Readers are taken on a journey to the checkered history of Chittorgarh, that has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles ever – three great sakas (sieges) and some of the most heroic, almost super-human deeds of valour, that are kept alive by the local musicians.