From June 14, 2007 to June 20, 2007

Study On Novels

Though plenty of novels are being published in all the Indian languages nowadays, comprehensive

studies on these works are very rare. The book under review is one in such uncommon genre.

Unending Conflict

The title of the book indicates the continuing war between Israel and Palestine people over five

decades without any end, a tragedy for the Palestine people.

A Window On The World Of Coins

This is a Festschrift for R. Krishnamurthy, presenting a mixed bouquet of 19 essays by both Indian

and foreign scholars.

R.K.Narayan’S Oeuvre

In the 1930s and 1940s Tamil children learnt their mother tongue more by reading Ananda Vikatan

than by studying in schools.

Reclaiming Rights

Why do women need, ever so often, to reassert and reclaim their constitutionally guaranteed rights?

Democracy In Practice

The History of the World’s Largest Democracy: Ramachandra Guha; Pan Macmillan, Picador India,

5A/12, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002. Rs. 695.

Hoarding Knowledge Diminishes Power

The new order is changing the way "we think the world itself is organised and who we think has the

authority to tell us so." As a result, we are questioning the need for a culture in which "truth means

accuracy, effectiveness requires adherence . . . .

Mutter India

For a man who once planned on becoming a priest, Tully turns a contemplative gaze on India’s

possible spiritual core to alter its many modern dangers and doubts.

More Sinha Than Sinned Against

Yashwant Sinha's account of the time he spent in North Block is significant not only for what has

been stated but also for what has not. His three stints as Finance Minister in Chandra Shekhar’s

shortlived government and two governments led by . . . .

The Fine Science Of 'Quirkology'

There are two kinds of sciences. One, the kind you cram so that you can somehow make it to that

BSc course and avoid becoming an underpaid journalist; two, the quirky science of everyday life that

is not explained — or even touched . . . .

Lady By The Lake

Justin Wintle has written the best biography yet of Aung San Suu Kyi, the beautiful, charismatic and

increasingly isolated (through prolonged incarceration) leader of the democracy movement in Burma

(aka Myanmar).

Little Value Addition

Jan Breman has done extensive fieldwork in rural South Gujarat — Gandevigam, Chikhligam,

Bardoligam, Atulgam (these are not real names of the villages) — and this has been documented in

his earlier books.

A Potpourri Of Stories

These books cover many topics from romance, pregnancy and philosophy to life in a medical college

and campus woes.

Wasted Talent

Set in West Bengal, this rather strange novel explores the vicissitudes of Maya, a poor but street

smart young girl of 16 who is employed and taught by a well meaning but overwrought and wealthy

social worker Amrita Sinha.

Lost In Translation

This love story comes into its own when it forgets about the language barrier, says Carole

Cadwalladr.

Madonna Is Not Our Saviour!

Her novel about the Biafra war won Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie the Orange prize. In her first interview

since, she tells Stephen Moss that the west does not understand the real Africa.

Jrd's Uncrowned Successor

In an awestruck, silent Mumbai crowd of at least 10,000 people, when we attended the post-Budget

analysis by Nani A Palkhivala, we did so to hear the sharpest economic Indian brain throw light on

the subject.

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Morals

During my primary school days, there were a few things, I thought, I could never live without. The

comical exploits of Chacha Chowdhary was one of them.

Misery Of Anachronism

It has become a habit with Muslim intellectuals and pseudo-secularists to say that the Muslims of

India have had a raw deal after Independence.

The Sniffer That Caught Cold

Answers are resilient facts of social life. They do not yield easily.

Tale Of A Storyteller

You see things; and you say, “Why?” But I dream things that never were; and I say, “Why not?” -

George Bernard Shaw

Donning A New Role

Mukesh, the actor who is unique in his own way of acting is showing instincts as a writer too.

Trust The Basic Instinct

With shrinking book review pages in newspapers and magazines and cramped bookshops, how does

one know what is going on in the world of books? Through literary journals would be one answer, but

they are expensive.

Spontaneous Overflow Of Emotions

The idea is quite noble really. Rajeev Nair has written his fantasy book, a guideline he sorely missed

when he “sallied forth” into “the uncharted waters of North Indian music”.

The X Files

To Charles Tegart, the commissioner of Calcutta Police in the early years of the 20th century, even

the Ramakrishna Mission was not above suspicion.

Different Score

Indian finance ministers do not usually last long. Only four have presented five budgets.

Filling In History

Author Neera Kapur-Dromson brings India to Kenya and Kenya to India in “From Jhelum to Tana”

Storyteller’S Tale

Storytelling is no easy matter – be your young listener of wizard-kind, a Jedi, hobbit or a muggle, for

tales need to be showered with imagination, narrative skills, considerable artwork … and what makes

Harry Potter the next best-seller after the Bible:

Inform And Entertain

Reading can be fun and informative. Fun&Focus is a new children’s magazine aiming to reach out to

kids and curious adults.

Tale Of A Storyteller

You see things; and you say, “Why?” But I dream things that never were; and I say, “Why not?” -

George Bernard Shaw

A Problem Of Perspective

Andrologist Sudhakar Krishnamurti stresses the need to talk about sex in a more open manner

Crises And Cherries

Yashwant Sihna begins his Confessions of a Swadeshi Reformer (www.penguinbooksindia.com) with a

narration of `the dreaded moment' that left him with no option but to sign a proposal to mortgage

gold to save the country's honour and prestige.

More Sinha Than Sinned Against

Yashwant Sinha's account of the time he spent in North Block is significant not only for what has

been stated but also for what has not.

Mutter India

Mark Tully in India’s Unending Journey, says 40 years of living in India — half spent as BBC’s

correspondent — have taught him to value humility, avoid thinking in black and white, to be

suspicious of certainty, to search for the middle road and to . ..

The Fine Science Of 'Quirkology'

There are two kinds of sciences. One, the kind you cram so that you can somehow make it to that

BSc course and avoid becoming an underpaid journalist; two, the quirky science of everyday life that

is not explained — or even touched upon — by Nelson . ..

Tale Of A Storyteller

Children’s writers on how to keep the young readers hooked

Bhutto's Treachery

ZULFIKAR ALI BHUTTO was one of those persons who, however talented, were inherently incapable

of being truthful. He was treacherous to India, his country of birth, and simultaneously to Pakistan,

the country of adoption.

Who Is The Real Ayub Khan?

Ayub Khan's memoirs reflect his split personality. He is opinionated, well-meaning<149>, now

statesmanlike, now foolish.

Glimpses Of Iran

AMERICAN scholarship on Iran is persistent, at times enlightening, at others misleading. Ray Takeyh's

purpose is specific: to decipher the "hidden" Iran so that the true challenge posed by the Islamic

republic can be addressed.

The Real Jinnah

The present series covers Mohammed Ali Jinnah's record as a lawyer, legislator and politician. BY A.G.

Noorani.

In Letter And Spirit

TWO recent judgments, one by the Supreme Court and the other by a single Judge of the Allahabad

High Court, have set the alarm bells ringing in the corridors of power.  

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