biblomania

Title:The Decline and Fall of the Roman empire Author: Edward Gibbon Category: Historical One of the only epic in English literature I have read and it is really an epic. Six volumes in total,although I read an abridged volume of 1500 pages.The canvass author has painted is huge i.e 1500 years in total from start of Christianity to the final fall of Constantinople.What an era it has been,ascent of Roman empire to it's glory,Caesars trying to usurp power from senate,corruption of institutions and the nadir when Roman title was sold off in an auction. Equally intrigiung is the role of religion, rise of Christiandom,conversion of the emperors as well as barbarians to christianity,reign of Popes,birth of Islam and it's rapid conquests from Spain to India & Africa.Division of powers among the western and eastern branches of empire led to the final partition and Constantine was the emperor who tried to unite them.The Crusades for delivery of Holy land and their ultimate failure

Title: Confessions of an Economic Hitman Author: John Perkins Category: Non-Fiction One of the most disturbing books I have ever read.John Perkins is an ex-EHM or economic hitman and the book is his disturbing account of what an EHM does. An EHM actually convinces third world countries in accepting huge loans for big infrastructure projects with help of econometric models and forecasts.The debts are huge with high interest rates and are provided by agencies like USAID,World Bank or IMF.It is ensured that the projects go to American cos like Bechtel or Halliburton. Once the countries are in debt trap US extracts it's pound of flesh in form of natural resources,military bases or in short colonizing it. The author gives his own account of experiences in countries like Indonesia,Ecuador,Panama,Iran and Saudi Arabia all have been by debts,assasinations of politicians or corruption have been made a part of global empire, larger than even the Romans could build.Just to give an example Rob

Title:GODAAN Author: Premchand Category :Fiction (???) If there is any book written which can be the national book of India which depicts the true picture of Indian society then it will be GODAAN thumbs down.The magnum opus of Premchand which is basically a story of marginal farmer called Hori.The other characters are his nagging wife Dhaniya,son Gobar daughters Rupa & Sona.What is so special about the book? It is it's heart wrenching story. Hori is a simple farmer neck deep in debts but has a dream of owning a cow.The story is what I have stated in the previous line,but Premchand's craft comes into play when he goes on touching different aspects like indebtedness of farmers,iliiteracy,exploitation by zamindars,urban migration,liqour problem,labour unrest etc etc.You would feel it is a preachy story but nowhere does Premchand becomes didactic.What comes to fore is how farmer the backbone of our economy our culture and someone who ensures we have something to eat everyday is

Title: I too had a Dream Author: Verghese Kurien Category: Non-Fiction In India who does not know about Verghese Kurien,and even if you are unaware do'nt you know AMUL. The man behind India's Milk Revolution,this book is his autobiography. A young Masters graduate from Michigan in Dairy Engineering has to take up a job in nondescript town of Anand in a governement firm.While working there he gets involved with farmers of Kaira cooperative in a fledgling dairy.The farmers determination and perseverance make a lasting impact on him and he decides to make Anand his home.Then there is no looking back as he turns the cooperative into a conglomerate called AMUL (actually GCMMF).His encounters with biggies like Nehru,Shastri & Rajiv and his tendency of mincing no words against what was bad for the farmers of the country make an interesting backdrop. A beautiful book which doubles our faith in the very idea of INDIA and makes us beleive that it is people like Kurien who will help o

Title:Shantaram Author:Gregory David Roberts Category:Non Fiction What do you say about a movie with loads of love,violence and adventure,a typical masala movie and if well made a blockbuster too.Then what about a book which has all the things above and is equally thrilling. Shantaram is the book pretty long one but keeps you on the edge of what NEXT?.Most wanted criminal of Australia escapes from jail and lands in Mumbai on a fake passport. Starts staying in a slum begins a health clinic and earns loads of friends. To top it up gets close to a DON called Kadirbhai and his smuggling racket of gold and currency. Do you think he is lagging, also gets into gang wars and even goes upto Afghanistan to fight as Mujahideen. Oh! I forgot about Kalra his lady love and also his stint in Bollywood. It’s backdrop of Bombay of 80s which gives it a familiar and interesting touch. A must read if you want to read a thrilling real (or reel) life story.

Title:Bajirao:The Warrior Peshwa Author:E Jaiwant Paul Category : History Most of the Indians remember Bajirao as the hero of the famous love story of Bajirao and Mastani.However very few books including course books outline the adventures of this greatest generals of India. Peshwa at the young age of 20 he had dreams of conquering heaven.He was the one who when Marathas were contemplating about a Pan Indian vision stressed the need for it and also said that it was it's righful progress.Bajirao's victories against Nizam at Bhopal and Palkhed established him as the greatest generals of his time. It was his courage and statesmanship which galvanized Marathas from a small kingdom to an empire eclipsing the Mughals. Probably one of the few sons of India who had the capability of really changing Her fortune for the better.All this and many more you will find this in the book.

Title: Roots Author: Alex Haley Category: Non-Fiction The book's last statement actually gives the very concept of the book that it is an effort to prove that history is not always written by victors.And yes it is about common ordinary people like us who go about our daily chores,live a life and eventually fade away.The story starts around 3 centuries ago in a remote village of Africa with birth of a boy called Kunta Kinte.His growth from a baby to toddler then a child and adolescence,when he is kidnapped and sold away in the far lands of America is beautifully described.The particular chapter of his transfer from his native to America is the most touching of how a fellow human can met out such a ghastly treatment to others.Eventually he settles,gets married and has a daughter. The story might not seem interesting on face but it grips you once you start reading it. A must read for someone who is interested in the history of slavery and how blacks were treated.Finally it is a story