ASB Book of the Week

India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy is a voluminous study of India by Ramachandra Guha. The book examines five sections of life after Gandhi for India: after Gandhi’s death, Nehru leading India, addressing all areas of India, India’s populism, and India’s histories. Because of the size of this mammoth book, it would be difficult to read in one setting; however, this book may be used as an excellent resource for post Gandhi history. If read in sections, this book’s content is understandable for an advanced young adult reader. The information is clear, concise, and logical making this an easier read than most historical information on India.  

Despite the size of this book, it is easy to navigate. With five clear sections to the book, it is easy to locate an area of concentration. Also, the index is expansive; every topic in the book has been indexed with plenty of references to other index titles when needed. There is a substantial section of notes (90 pages), so other resources are plentiful from this resource. There are a few complimentary pictures, yet there could be more to add interest, and all maps and charts are very clear and help to inform the reader. India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy is an excellent reference book for any researcher studying the aftermath of Gandhi’s influence on India.

Volume 5, Issue 12 of TimeOut Mumbai has a very special feature this month.  On pages 4, 91, and 93, you will read about The Mercy Street.  Our very own Dr. Jillian Campana of ASB will be the lead alongside Arvind Pandey.    The setting is an apartment building where the two lovers witness the terror of 9/11.  As Dr. Campana is quoted in TimeOut Mumbai, “The play is about the collapse of a relationship under the backrgound of the collapse of a building, a city, and in a way, a culture.”  All of us may go to this play at The Mysore Association on either Thursday, February 12 or Friday, February 13.  We are all very proud of you Dr. Jillian Campana. 

Images of India provoke color to the mind.  That’s exactly what this beautiful book does!  It’s gorgeous as are the colors of India.  All the regular anticipated features of India are highlighted in India Color like bazaars, palaces, and saris (the typical dress for women).  Also jewels and bangles, doors and passages, and puppets and toys are also included.  There is even a section on animals–of course the sacred cow along with camels and elephants is present.  The images of this book are vast and of course very vibrant.  This is a wonderful and visually stimulating read for the eyes.

Now that the movie Slumdog Millionaire has won best film from the Golden Globe awards and has received 10  Oscar nominations, perhaps it should be known that previously this title was an international bestseller under the name of Q & A.  Vikas Swarup, who is actually a member of the Indian Foreign Service, wrote this tender story.  A young man wins a large amount of money on a TV quiz show, but since it seems impossible for him to win, he’s is falsely jailed for cheating.  Through flashbacks, all the answers are explained for this true winner by the histories of his life.

Dorling Kindersley (DK) has created the ultimate travel books.  DK started with an Eyewitness series many years ago for kids.  Any Eyewitness book is filled with tons of information with accompanying pictures and graphics.  The books are eye candy for anyone eager to learn about a particular topic.  Now, DK has started a new line of travel books that follow the same suit.  Pick a region, country, or city, and most likely DK has made a travel book for this place.  The information will include the history, sights, culture, and maps as well as lodging and dining options for a travel destination.  This week, in lieu of Inauguration Day, Washington, DC has been chosen as the Book of the Week.

This week a magazine shall be highlighted.  Ready Made is a jam-packed magazine tiny wonder.  It has instructions and projects for just about anything.  Take old unused belts for example.  Old belts can be turned into the cover for a stool, an earring holder, or the handles for storage boxes.  Closets always seem to lose space; bungee cords may be used to hold shoes down on the door.  This is an old classic: organize bed sheets by storing the folded sheets inside the pillow case.  For an simple baby gift, pom pom socks look easy enough to make.  These are just four examples found from paging through this magazine.  And to increase the value of this resourceful mag, there’s a blog to match!  http://readymade.com/blogs/rmblog

This cute little book is a jam packed compilation of Christmas stories.  In all there are twenty short stories from authors such as Willa Cather, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Nikolai Gogol, and O. Hentry to name a few.  The stories vary in length from 10-54 pages, so there’s a story in here for every reader.  Some of the stories are romantic, some tragic, and some typical of a Christmas night scene.  All are enjoyable and assuredly will put any reader in the Christmas mood. 

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a timeless classic.  While some may find Shakespeare’s use of language difficult to decipher, there are many versions of the tragic love story retold.  This new version by Bruce Coville is beautifully illustrated by Dennis Nolan.  The best picture by far is the balcony scene–it literally folds open and out of the book since it’s been expanded.  At first you can see Juliet looking for her Romeo, and then you open up the page to see Romeo professing is love to his Juliet.  This version is breathtaking and a relief for those who would like to read the story in prose rather than verse. 

Remember this rhyme? “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”  Well, this book investigates whether it really was Christopher Columbus who discovered the Americas.  Instead was it the Chinese?  Was it the Vikings?  What about the Mayans?  By looking at past legends, runes, stonework, and mysterious objects, this Russel Freedman examines who found the Americas. 

Here’s another DK must for all of you especially if you like any of the following: technology, gadgets, inventions, electronics, Web 2.0, exploration, science, transportation, and gaming to only mention a few.  This book is completely packed with cool stuff–just like the title claims.  With dynamic pictures and interesting text to accompany, this is a perfect book to read if you enjoy Cool Stuff 2.0.