E.M. Forster appeals to many because of his early novels, "Where Angels Fear to Tread", "A Room with a View", and "Howard's End", the last which is included in this book. They seem like updated Austen novels, neat and well-structured, albeit more surprising, but still in all appearances novels dealing with social manners. However, "Howard's End" and "A Passage to India" deal with much more substantial themes of industrialization and imperialism as well as Forster's overarching idea of connection between peoples and ideologies.

"Howard's End" sets up the opposition between the cultured Schlegels and the industrious Wilcoxes. Simplistically, each family represents the division within society at the time, whether to embrace the outward form of change in motor cars and encroaching tenements or to hold onto the land and the responsibility and feelings contained within it. Forster also makes use of associations and symbols to further the reader's understanding of a greater meaning, such as the teutonic assocation with the Schlegels or the description of Mrs. Bast's photograph to suggest her occupation. Still, the theme of connection found in its famous epigraph "Only connect... (the prose to the passion)" is woven well throughout and sometimes surprisingly so.

"A Passage..." is Forster's greatest work, and rightfully so because in it he is most ambitious, adding elements of imperialism and religion to that of relationships between people. While the novel is not a political novel per se, it justifies the interpretation through its mostly sympathetic treatment of the Indians and the absurdity of British bureacracy in a culture beyond its understanding. I assert that this is one of Forster's more pessimistic novels with an appropriate ending, but my colleagues assert the opposite, that it makes claims to the hope of connection. I leave it to you to conclude for yourself. Forster also gives a good foretaste of the post-modernist technique, with his attempt to show that the "many-headed monster" of India or any culture cannot be adequately treated by a single perspective.

This book is deserving than more than just 5 stars.

As a historian myself, the biggest problem in expressing yourself is making "old" topics informative and interesting to modern generations. Antony Wild has succeeded beyond any scale of recognition in his book The East India Company: Trade and Conquest from 1600.

This book, which details the English East India Company's history will appeal to anyone with an interest in British, Indian, Asian, American, military, nautical, or commerical history-- it is that wide-ranging. This book is also a must-read for anyone interested or concerned over the so-called modern phenomenon of "globalization." After reading Wild's account, one can see that globalization has been around for nearly four hundred years, if not longer.

The English East India Company, acting under a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I, sought entry into the Spice Trade in Asia. Soon, however, it found itself involved with Indian piece trade and trade from the Middle East and Arabia. Its trade interests in India eventually led to de facto conquest and colonization on that subcontinent-- all with the tacit support of the crown. The company reached into China and even North America-- it was East India Company tea that got dumped into Boston Harbor during the Tea Party.

The company exported and imported goods, laid the foundations for three important Indian cities, fought land wars and naval battles with other European merchant powers or local natives, and brought a host of new products and new words into the consciousness of the English-speaking world.

India proved to be the company's lasting legacy, and not always a positive one. However Wild provides a well-balanced account that does not paint the company as either completely ethical traders or imperialistic devils. No matter one's opinion, India proved to the company's (and Britain's) largest asset and also the cause for the company's eventual dissolution.

The book is well-illustrated and is an easy but very informative read. I would rank this amongst the top 10 books I have read in the last 5 years.

This is a wonderful book about modern life in Dharamsala, exile home of the Dalai Lama in India. Dr. Diehl, an anthropologist, actually became a member of a local rock and roll band, the Yak band. Her story is about the day-to-day struggles of Tibetans to maintain their sense of identity while adjusting to the modernizing forces of global culture. The book is well-written and produced, with lots of sharp photos that give the reader a clear view of what life is like in the 'capital' of the Tibetan world in exile. Refreshingly, there is little anthropological jargon in this substantial and important book. I highly recommend it.

A must for anyone concerned with the people of India. This book is written in simple language and is precise. I know people whose whole attitude toward our Indian problem have changed after reading this book. This book clearly shows how even the middle-class Indians have been responsible (indirectly) for the degeneration of India.

great insight to handllom secto

If you are looking for map for delhi, this is the best thing money can buy. I was born in delhi and has lived for last 27 years but even then I found the map very helpful and keeps it in my car all the time.
Eicher have done a good job with both the layout and accuracy. They have one large map that shows the entire city and then about 50 small maps dividing the city in that many parts. This allows one to first get an overall view of the route one is planning and then zoom on to the exact street. The resolution is good enough to locate the exact plot in most localities. The accuracy is so good that I am yet to notice a single mistake.
The fact that they have also included maps for adjoining suburbs of delhi (like noida, gurgaon, faridabad and gaziabad) helps a lot. I actually used the map to plan my home purchase in NOIDA to compare locations (in context to nearby markets, schools, large roads) of places I was considering to buy.
The only complaint I have is against the binding of the book. The pages have a tendency of getting a little loose after frequent handling (or may be I use it a little TOO frequently). In any case, I expect a map book to be able to take a little more heavy handling than this one.
Nevertheless, where it matters, in details and accuracy - this book scores and I have no hesitation in giving it five stars.

This excellent little volume passes the biggest test of a great children's book, namely, it also holds the interest of the adult reader. This is because these are the timeless, classic myths and folk tales of India. In fact, if you wanted to start to understand Indian culture, you could do far worse than to start with this book. Here you will finally understand why Ganesh has the head of an elephant. You will learn just who Rama and Krishna are, and how they relate to Vishnu. For that matter you will understand the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The heroic monkey king, Hanuman is also introduced and explained. If you would like to go on to understanding and appreciating the Mahabharata, then this is also an excellent starting point, for the Pandava princes are introduced.
The first story in this collection is "The Monkey Bridge to Lanka." I am still suprised at the power and wisdom contained in this brief tale. That is the wonderful thing about all these stories- you can interpret them at many different levels of meaning.
I have truly come to love this little gem of a book.

on the page 20 of the book is written:"The Nagpur session was the turning point in the history of the subcontinent, which had far reaching consequences and water shed over the history not only of South Asia but of the entire world. the seeds of fundamentalism were sown in this historic session that has now bedeviled the world today".
in the context of this para, my reviews are: the roots of fundamentalism and terrorism which have permeated over the modern world took its birth in the policies and political ideas of Mahatma Ghandi Gi, who himself fell victim of outrageous terrorism at the hand of a Hindu fanatic, named by Nathu Ram Godsay. though apparently, Ghandi Gi was a preacher and propounder of the theory of non-violance in politics, but he miserabley failed to forsee and understand the evil consequences of involving Relegion into politics which was forseen by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan.

The Emperors' Album is an extraordinary work because it contains Mughal miniatures from one of the greatest collections in the world: The Hagop Kervorkian Collection. Consisting of 50 leaves, 39 of which date from the 17th century, this book will astond you particularly when you understand the intricate work involved in the execution of these watercolors. Brimming with georgious color plates, you are transported to a rich world that you may not want to leave!

Powell is looking at sex here with the eye of an engaged anthropologist. He asserts that sexuality is different from culture to culture. He then examines the tradition of courtly and romantic love in the West--and the orgasm-oriented approach of Western sex manuals. With this he contrasts traditions of sacred sexuality in India, China, Polynesia and the United States. Powell, however, offers not so much a fawning acceptance of Tantric and Taoist sexual yoga, as a critique. He then offers his own thoughts on sacred sexuality. Spiritual leader Da Free John, who resides in Fiji, placed this book on the required reading list for his circle of devotees. Originally published in English, the book has been translated in both Japanese (Hosei University Press) and Spanish (Thassalia)