One of the best Indian cookbook I've ever come across, though I've tried 3 Madhur Jaffrey books and they are all excellent. This particular volume has recipes she collected from various family cooks. Beautiful pictures and details about the regions of India.

A great book about the Bhakta traditions of West Bengal. Having lived in India and traveled to West Bengal, I can state that Mrs. McDaniel not only captures the facts, but also the deeper sense of it. She hits at the heart of things in way that to one informed stick out. It is not only what is written, but the way in which it is written that makes me know for certainty that the author knows her stuff. Also provided in the book are rare quotes from tantric literature, as well as stories of little know saints, like vama khepa(the mad saint of the cremation grouds). What makes the book so impressive is that while it comes from an obviously informed prospective, she does not fall into the annoying trap of evangenlist. Moreover, she does not interject herself into the text at all, which seems to be the self important trend of many professors. A great book. I'm surprised it isn't more popular....

For anyone who has an interest in the history of Chennai (Madras) this book is a must buy. The hundreds of photographs both ancient and modern are well chosen and beautifully presented. The text is both intelligent and amusing.The whole book is well designed and made. The book is a delight to have while being educational and valuable to the historian and lay reader alike.

This book is one most authoritative books on Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Until now book has explored the development of culture and art during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Superb content, great illustrations and really high quality paper. It will great addition to any library or personal collection.

"The Maharajah's Box" reads as well as any splendid mystery written by the likes of Agatha Christie or P. D. James. But best of all, it is a gripping account of a forgotten plot in 19th Century British history, which had widespread reprecussions for Great Britain's relations with both France and Russia. Campbell does an admirable job recounting the sordid tale of Maharajah Duleep Singh, the last king of Lahore, in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India, and his feeble, almost comical, attempts at regaining his throne. Along the way we meet an intriguing, often bizarre, cast of Indian spies, Russian politicans and soldiers and Irish revolutionaries. If you're interested in a true story of political intrigue, this is one tome which shouldn't be missed!

John Lord writes a thoroughly entertaining and enlightening romp through the extraordinarily garish halls and manicured grounds of some of the most ridiculously wealthy, ostentatious, and frivolous people who ever walked this planet.

First of all, Mr Lord's command of language is impeccable, making this a joyous read. Second of all, Lord's wry wit and humor brand every page a verbal fun-house. Thirdly, mixing the writer's penchant for exhaustive research, his writing style and the subject matter consisting of royal Indian fops who have so much wealth and so much time on their hands - this is a potent brew for brilliant reading.

I'm picking up the book this summer for a re-read. Thank you John Lord!!! Read John Lord's other books; "Duty, Honor, Empire" and "Winston Churchill" co-authored with Jack LaVien.

The main reason to buy this book is for its photographs - and they are spectacular. The book is fabulous.

Ranbir Vohra has written an excellent survey of India's history, with an emphasis placed on the country's political development. In what is a masterful treatment of the subject matter, he provides an insightful context of the evolution of India, one of Asia's great civilizations, to that of China. In doing so, he underscores the importance of the socio-religious dimension of Indian life that has provided a central role for Hinduism in India's development. While being recommended for those looking at India for the first time, this book is strongly recommended for those of who have been in the field of South Asian or Asian studies as it provides a different way at looking at the subject matter. Moreover, the writing style is highly readable.

Being a polo player myself, I found The Maltese Cat a very interesting and accurate view of the game. Being from the ponies perspective is original and entertaining and it makes me wonder what my ponies are thinking when I play them!

Loved reading it to pieces and can read it over and over again...

This is the story of a man who devoted his whole life to the betterment, advancement, and upliftment of the Pakhtun people, culture, and society. He spent more than half of his life in jails. He united the Pukhtuns to fight against the British, something that for a long time, nobody has been able to do. Among his people he is known as Fakhr-e-Afghan (Pride of the Afghans), Bacha Khan (The King Of Kings)(in Hindi and Urdu written as Badshah Khan), and simply Baba (Grandfather). To the outside world he is known as Frontier Gandhi, and Fakhr-e-Hind (Pride of India, as Nehru called him). His son Rahbar-e-Afghan Khan Abdul Wali Khan (Supreme Leader of the Afghans) has continued in his father's footsteps. While Baba Struggled to get the British out of India, his son is fighting for the rights of the opperessed people of Pakhtunkhwa, (land of Pakhtuns). This book is very insperational. In this day and age of violence and brutality, this book can do a lot of good. People can le! arn a lot from the non-violent struggle of Baba and his Khudai Khidmatgars (The Servents of God)(Mistakenly known as Red Shirts). Baba was a Valiant and Honorable son of the Pakhtun Nation. (to clear up some confusion, the words Afghan and Pakhtun mean the same thing.) Bacha Khan: Our great leader, passed away in 1988, and is barried in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He refused to be barried in Pakistan, because it was a slave nation.