biblomania

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 ...

Title:Majhi Janmathep(My Life Imprisonment) Author:V.D.Savarkar Category:Autobiography(Marathi) What do you say about a personality who is worshipped by some and deeply hated by others or at least pretent to hate.I am one of theworshippers of this great son of Bharat.I will discuss one of the masterpeices of Marathi literature. The story begins with how was he convicted in Jackson murder case and sent to India to be sentenced to 2 life imprisonments in Andaman.Andaman was infamous as jaw of death,anybody going there for few years would like departing from this world,so leave aside of someone sentenced for48 years.But still he persisted,gave courage to his wife by saying that we as humans are born to serve high ideals. His stint of 12 years at 'Kalapani' was an odyssey in itself. The torture heunderwent being a revolutionary will send shivers down anybody's spine.But still being incarcerated,he composed poems,novels which were published later.The social movements he initiate...

Title: Pride & Prejudice Author: Jane Austen Category : Novel (Love story) One of the most famous love story in English literature after “Gone with the Wind” and has been made into motion picture both in Hollywood and Bollywood. The story is about a typical English middle class family of 19th century of five young daughters, two of whom are at the right age for betrothal. Jane and Elizabeth are the two daughters and Elizabeth Bennett is the lead character of the novel. The story revolves around the love of Mr Darcy for Elizabeth, his initial reluctance, just giving innuendos of his interest in her. Elizabeth’s strong and independent character of facing anybody with equal calm and coolness. Darcy’s proposal to her and instant refusal. Finally LOVE blossom in their heart and they come to terms. One can find many love stories & movies being influenced by this novel. A strong hero & heroine, both initially refusing and then accepting their feelings.

Title: PANIPAT Author: Vishwas Patil Category: Historical (Marathi) Wars have had profound influence on human destiny from time immemorial. But some wars change the destiny of a complete nation. The book I am going to talk about discusses about a similar war i.e third battle of Panipat. It was fought between Marathas and Afghans. Although it’s a novel but the background of history makes it interesting. Author has taken lot of pains in collecting information about political situation in Delhi, ambitions and treachery of Najib Khan, mistakes by Marathas in understanding undercurrents, climate, strategic location of Marathas vis-à-vis Afghans etc. Although Marathas lost the battle, but what stands out is the patriotism of Marathas, determination of Sadashivraobhau even in a case of providence, Abdally’s strategy of surrounding enemy and cut off it’s supply lines etc . A must read for somebody who is interested in Maratha history.

Title:Julius Caesar Author: William Shakespeare Nature: Historical/Drama Very few authors have exercised such a profound influence on literature as Shakespeare had, cutting across linguistic lines. Julius Caesar is no exception to that. The story is about one of the most audacious Roman Emperor who came close to replacing the trium-virate which represented the democratic traditions of empire. After Julius’ scintillating wins people start considering him a demi-god. This sparks off jealousy among the conspirators namely Cassius who is joined by Brutus, Cinna & others. The conspiracy bears fruit and Julius is murdered. However the drama does’nt end here but the murder is avenged by Antony & Octavius. The interplay of emotions, jealousy unleashed, treachery of Cassius, innocence of Julius but loyalty of Antony all make a lasting impact on the reader. The other side is world famous quotes like “The fault lies not in our stars Brutus but in ourselves” OR “Brave die once but coward...

Title: RSS: A Vision in Action Author: H.V.Sheshadri Nature: Non Fiction RSS is probably the most misunderstood or mysterious organization in the world. Although being the largest voluntary organization it is the least studied one. For outsiders it is fascist, communal or Hindutva ideologue which is trying to make India a theocratic state, but seeing the large following it has in masses the reality is other way round. For anybody to know RSS probably this is the best book to start with. It defines the scope of so called SANGH PARIVAR which encompasses RSS,VHP,Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad etc.and shows the herculean efforts of lakhs of svayamsevaks who are implementing close to 30000 seva prakalps across the country. The lucid language along with the sheer experience of Sheshadriji across all spectrums of society really impress upon the reader that RSS is a vision in action of leading the country towards PARAM VAIBHAV i.e Eternal Glory.

Title:ALCHEMIST Author: Paulo Coelho Nature: Fiction Some books you read and they tend to haunt you throughout your life. You tend to find these images in different walks of life. The book I am going to talk about is of same category i.e “ALCHEMIST”. It is a story of a young shepherd in Spain who dreams of finding a huge treasure near pyramids of Egypt. So begins his odyssey in which he meets a gypsy who tells his future but promises from him, half the treasure. The omens which tend to direct him towards the treasure. His journey takes him through Sahara desert where he meets his lady love and finally the ALCHEMIST, who hands him a piece of gold for his journey backwards. The boy is astonished because while returning he will have loads of treasure so why this gold piece? The most fascinating part of story is it’s climax. Paulo Coelho’s book is really a best seller, although his another book “FIFTH MOUNTAIN” I found boring. Other Books : Fifth Mountain, Zahir, Pilgrimage,Twelve Minutes

Title: MOTHER Author: Maxim Gorky Nature: Non-Fiction An old classic and that too it praises Communism which has lost it’s shine of what it had in late 50’s or 60’s. But it still is one of the master pieces of Russian literature and probably English too. The story revolves around a woman called Pelagea Nilovna who is a worker in a factory at the start of 20th century. Her husband, a worst kind of alcoholic is dead, and the only hope she has in life, is her son Pavel. She is a typical woman who has lived her life in the tyranny of her husband without realizing that her son has grown, not only physically but mentally too. Pavel comes into contact with communism and becomes an instant devotee. Due to Pavel, Pelagea comes in touch with comrades who visit their houses frequently to preach among factory workers. Earlier she is worried about her son but later on herself becomes a comrade. The metamorphosis of a age old woman from a typical house wife to fearless comrade is brilliantly portra...

Title: MAHANAYAK Author: Vishwas Patil Nature: History (Marathi) One of the best biographies Marathi literature has ever seen. This IAS officer opens many new areas of NETAJI's life by his extensive research of archives from Japan,Burma & India. The book describes the interplay between different characters in NETAJI's life mainly Gandhiji & Nehru.And how Chitranjan Das was his mentor in political life, his love life with Emile, finally his readiness to take herculaean efforts just to see his beloved motherland free. The only drawback is book is very long, but epics are long and still they are worth reading is'nt it? Other book: RANANGAN (by same author)

Title: The Mossad inside stories: Israel's secret intelligence service Author: Dennis Eisenberg+Uri Dan+Eli Landau Nature: Political/Thriller Probably no country in the world has followed "Offence is the best defence" as closely as Israel. Many times it is justified because of it's hostile neighbours. But to be offensive one has to have in depth knowledge of enemy's moves. It is where MOSSAD comes into picture. The book narrates story of the rise of MOSSAD from a hotch-potch days of WW-II to the second most dreaded intelligence agency in the world after CIA. The contribution of Isser Harel in carving out MOSSAD from different agencies and making it responsible for Jewish interests. The successful plot of capturing Adolf Eichmann and bringing him to gallows. The story of Eli Cohen who almost became Defence minsiter of Syria or when the whole of the agency was just obssesed for finding a simple teenager boy make it a exciting reading. The other plots are as lucid...

Title: Giants of Enterprise: Seven Business Innovators and the Empires They Built Author: Richard S Tedlow Nature: Management A great read fo someone who is interested in how eneterprises are built from just ideas. They are then scaled up and probably become market leaders around the globe. The book takes a chronological view of these giants, starting from the earliest Andrew Carnegie to the latest of Rober Noyce. It is a book mainly about these people and not the enterprises they built.Still it is great to read about the great salesman "Thomas Watson", best Retailer "Sam Walton", man who was close to Nobel "Robert Noyce",man who created cosmetics "Charles Revson" and others to watch out for are Carnegie,Eastman& Ford.The book goes in detail about the whims and fancies of these people, which can sometimes be boring.

Title: Tipping Point Author: Malcolm Gladwell Nature : General Although the book can't be classified in a particular category, still it's effects on a person are far reaching. The book starts with crazy phenomenas like explosive sales of Hush Puppies from near bankruptcy, sudden dissapearance of NY crimes. Then the author goes on explaining the phenomena on principles like law of few & power of context. These are then supported by different cases like Paul Revere ride, making of the Sesame Street etc. A must read for management students becauser of lot of focus on marketing,consumer behaviour, psychology etc. Other book : Blink (by same author)

Title : The Eagle Has Flown Author : Jack Higgins Nature : Fiction The novel is set in background of WW-II. It revolves around the audacious plot of SS ( Nazi wing) to assassinate Churchill. The SS team led by Col Kurt Steiner lands secretly in England but is stalled in a major skirmish with villagers. The whole team is annihilated but with 2 survivors Steiner who is captured and Liam Devlin an IRA revolutionary who miraculously escapes. As soon as the SS comes to know of Steiner’s imprisonment, a brilliant plan is made to rescue him with lead as Devlin. Whether Devlin succeeds or not, is something to be read for. A must read for a fan of fiction novels. Prequel : The Eagle has Landed

The purpose of the blog is to discuss about books I have read on some subjects. If you find some related books please do comment and give the name. It is said about Jonathan Swift that when he finished reading some wonderful book, he would leave it in some garden, so that other people can read it. We can't afford that much generosity but definitely could exchange names and views about books and read them. There is no joy like reading a good book. so HAPPY READING