This book provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of traditional (upper-middle class) Bengali women and their families. Roy presents a thorough analysis of the dynamics of extended family life in West Bengal. She begins with an exploration of the special bonds that develop between father and daughter, then moves on to how schooling and classic literature play a role in developing a young woman's idyllic view of married life. Later she contrasts that ideal with the reality of being a stranger competing with one's mother-in-law for the attentions of one's husband, and how this is tempered with the birth of children, especially sons. Finally, she discusses middle age and the later years, when the children have grown and women seek companionship from their sons or religious personages. In some respects, the dynamics that Roy describes here are probably generally found in any culture with a strong tradition of patrilineal extended families. Other aspects of life, particularly religious life, are more unique to Hindu and Bengali culture. The book was originally written some 30 years ago, and certainly there have been many changes in Bengali culture during this time. But even as a window into Bengali family life of the recent past, it a very interesting and well written study.

A Wonderful book that details a Bengali (India) woman's life from birth to death. An enjoyable and informative read. By interviewing many Bengali women, the author gave amazing detail into what it is like to be a woman in Calcutta, by illuminating the subject's feelings, experiences, rituals and secrets. Manisha Roy also offers an update in the back of the book that chronicals the many changes that have happened since she first published the book some twenty years ago. The book gives a timeless glimpse into the private world of Bengali women. Subject range: Sociology/Women's Studies/Anthropology/Indian Cultural Studies, some photos. Highly reccomended!

After reading several versions of the Bhagavad Gita, I found this one to be the most accessible -- especially listening to it on an audio cassette. I sensed that I really understood the message as the original author intended for the first time. Needleman is a masterful reader, and this contributes to the enjoyment and teaching of this work. I find the wisdom presented here to have had a profound effect on my learning as a human being seeking my spiritual self.

Very well read by Mr. Needleman. I'm listening to it now for the second time. Barbara Stoler-Miller's translation works for me: she translated everything. People's names were not changed, but there are no untranslated Indian words to puzzle the listener. The Dover Publications book, e.g., has some Indian words left untranslated so I sometimes don't know what is being "said". That's why I put down the Dover book and got this tape and am very happy with it. The Bhagavad Gita is very interesting and very thoughtful. I've been interested ever since I saw the Mahabarata (spelling?) presented on PBS. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of that larger story.

Sunil Kothari is an outstanding scholar in the realm of dance. And this book is a precious gift that has been written for anyone passionate about their art! Beautiful colour pictures. Detailed descriptions and it inspires you to strive for greater achievement in dance....

I am a beginner in Bharata Natyam and this book have help me alot to understand the history and the various postures. I feel very comfortable when I attend my classes as I know what my teacher is talking about. This book have been very helpful to me especially as I am not a South Indian and do not speak the language either. A very good book for anyone who wants to learn Bharata Natyam.

I have just completed the reading of this excellent work, in one sitting, during which I created a bit of biogas of my own. I have been engaged in research work in natural gas generation for some time and find Lichtman's opus most informative and enthralling. I had no idea of the potential for biogas, even here in Los Angeles where the potential of biogas has barely scratched the surface. I believe even the general reader, including children, will get hours of pleasure from this top-class source of information about creating light from nothing other than that which we would otherwise flush into our once pristine seas which are now full of polluted entities which have no place there and which have destroyed the minds and hopes of this and all future generations, who, as we all know, will be much better off if the recommendations of this book were actually implemented by the politicians and other power-holders who only tend to protect themselves instead of the much larger global population who lives in misery because those holding power refuse to subsidise biogas systems for humanity.

A unique and important book describing, with skill and alacrity, the many facets of the fascinating topic of biogas systems in India. Readers will be delighted to have their questions answered in terms of both practical wisdom and concise advice on how we can grapple with issues contained therein. All those with an avid interest in such an extra-ordinary subject will find this book takes pride position on their bookshelf.

I am a stident of Political Science at Rutgers University and had Michael Rockland as a professor. A Bliss Case is written to the highest literary standards with consistent wit. With an underlying theme of East meets West, Rockland expresses the innocence of the East as it encounters very foreign situations in the West. This is a must read for anyone interested in good contemporary fiction. If not, read it for the consistent, realist humor.

The mark of this novel has barely faded in the 5 years since I've read it, reading it spawned an interest in cults and their leaders. A Bliss Case offers so much psychological insight into the experience of cult leaders, members, and their families, and it remains a gripping read throughout. It is primarily a meditation on the personality of a college professor, Sidney, who loins a cult. The narrator switches from his mother (a fun voice) to his friend to his daughter. The man's psyche is perplexing yet fascinating, and although the novel captures him from all angles, reders are still left with the ambivalence that surround our most complex heroes and villains. Sidney is left, like evil and love themselves, an enigma. This book is a great experience for those who love psychological probes, mysteries, family dramas, or the artistry of finely crafted fiction. Email me if you'd like to discuss it, I could talk about this book for pages.

I am trying to find more information on the Andrew Ward responsible for writing this beautiful book. Based on the memoirs of a British families' servant, this colorful story brings to you the tale of an Orphaned boy growing up (on the run) in India. You will learn about his childhood, a crazed Christian Reverand (I am Christian, so no hate mail please) who runs a halfway-house/slave camp....and more about his (Balbeer's) life on the run. The back of the book also contains a nice glossary for people like me who have no clue what a "mahout", "bidi", or a "rao" are. If you have to go to work the next day, don't bother starting this book!

I found this book in a book fair in Washington DC. I never suspected that this book was going to be one of the best fiction books I have read. Balbeer Rao, through his memoirs, takes us to a grand journey across India meeting all kind of peoples (Holy men, exotic concubines, royal families, the feared Thuggee) and living all kind of adventures.In this book Andrew Ward presents a very vivid image of India on the time of its independence. He describes the land as he describe the people in all their splendor and traditions. Read it!

This is really the definitive book for novice birdwatchers in India, and remains very useful even as you grow more experienced. Its small size makes it much more portable and thus useful for field trips. The illustrations in the new edition are simply lovely and improve tremendously over those in the earlier editions. A must buy.

Beautiful hand drawn illustrations, detailed characteristics, habitat, calls and everything else you need to know to identify a bird. A real work of art.

This is a recycled version of the same book by the same publisher in the Past Masters series. It is a pity there have been no changes if any made to the original work done in 1983 as a few things have changed in Buddhist studies since then. At least the pictures are better and the book looks shorter than the original transmission.

A sharp, highly critical approach with the most important elements highlighted. A coherent essay of depth and rigour. A joy to read and appreciate.

This is the 2nd book on Buddhism in the A Very Short Introduction series (VSI) by OUP. The book "Buddhism a VSI" by D. Keown is also excellent. In fact most of the books on the VSI series seem to be brilliant. To be recommended to anyone, cheap to buy, cheaper to read and the taste is very expensive.

This book, perhaps better than any other I've read, brings to light the unique philosophical position of the Buddha. Carrithers clearly explains how the Buddha stood out from the intellectual background of his time and helps one understand how and why the Buddha arrived at his views. A brilliant account of the Buddha's life and teachings not only for its scholarship but also for its refreshing lucidity. ...

A most interesting read, shows the business acumen of the old times, a large part of it is still valid in this day and age. Most interesting part was how the Birla's managed their conglomerate, how they became a conglomerate - the concept of the "Partha". The lessons from these great men are most inspiring. This could be a text book for a Business school. Show the west - How the east does business and are successful at it. Good work Gita Piramal. - Cheers, Sarab Sokhey

This book contains a wealth of information about the business life of these great industrialists like JRD Tata, Walchand Hirachand, G D Birla & Kasturbhai Lalbhai. While there are a lot of information available about G D Birla & JRD Tata, this book contains little known facts about the life of Walchand Hirachand & Kasturbhai Lalbhai which make for a very interesting reading of the business life in India in the earlier part of the 20th Century.

In a crowning achievement to a long and illustrious career, Prof. Dimock has provided us with a wonderful new version of this essential text. For a long time the most available version of CC has been the Hare Krsna (ISKCON) 17 volume set. It is a relief to have this careful, brilliantly done and very readable version in one volume without the eccentric "purports" of the Hare Krsna version. Although a hefty academic text, this book is quite an easy read. Cannot be too highly recommended.

Dimock and Stewart's translation of the Caitanya Caritamrta (The Nectar of the Acts of Caitanya) is a readable and extremely well-researched edition of the biography of Sri Caitanya, a 16th century Bengali ascetic who is believed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas to have been the androgynous dual incarnation of Krsna and Radha. The lengthy introduction and notes on translation provide readers unfamiliar with the tradition with all the background they need to appreciate the layers of meaning hidden in the text and the narrative strategies of Krsnadasa that come across so well in this translation. For more background, read Dimock's 1966 book, "The Place of the Hidden Moon". a true classic in the literature of South Asian studies. Highly recommended.