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Book Recommendations!


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243 replies to this topic

#161 Hyderabadi

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Posted 13 August 2007 - 11:05 PM

Iwtgb, from Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia....ki/Salar_Jung_I
The last time I went to India, I bought both the books but forgot to pack them.  :)

Quote

Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I (1829-1883), Indian statesman of Hyderabad, born in 1829, descendant of a family which had held various appointments, first under the Adil Shahi kings of Bijapur, then under the Delhi emperors and lastly under the Nizams.

While he was known to the British as Sir Salar Jung, his personal name was Mir Turab Ali, he was styled by native officials of Hyderabad the Mukhtaru 'l-Mulk, and was referred to by the general public as the Nawab Sahib. He succeeded his uncle Suraju 'l-Mulk as prime minister in 1853.

The condition of the Hyderabad state was at that time a scandal to the rest of India. Salar Jung began by infusing a measure of discipline into the Arab mercenaries, the more valuable part of the Nizam's army, and employing them against the rapacious nobles and bands of robbers who had annihilated the trade of the country. He then constituted courts of justice at Hyderabad, organized the police force, constructed and repaired irrigation works, and established schools. On the outbreak of the Indian rebellion of 1857 he supported the British, and although unable to hinder an attack on the residency, he warned the British minister that it was in comtemplation. The attack was repulsed; the Hyderabad contingent remained loyal, and their loyalty served to ensure the tranquillity of the Deccan. Salar Jung took advantage of the preoccupation of the British government with the Rebellion to push his reforms more boldly, and when the Calcutta authorities were again at liberty to consider the condition of affairs his work had been carried far towards completion.

During the lifetime of the Nizam Afzulu'd-dowla, Salar Jung was considerably hampered by his master's jealous supervision. When Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, however, succeeded his father in 1869, Salar Jung, at the instance of the British government, was associated in the regency with the principal noble of the state, the Shamsu 'l-Umara or Amir Kabir, and enjoyed an increased authority. In 1876 he visited England with the object of obtaining the restoration of Berar. Although he was unsuccessful, his personal merits met with full recognition. He died of cholera at Hyderabad on the 8th of February 1883. He was created G.C.S.I., on the 28th of May 1870, and received the honorary degree of D.C.L. from the University of Oxford on the 21st of June 1876. His grandson enjoyed an estate of 1486 sq. mi., yielding an income of nearly 60,000.

Sekhar

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#162 Hyderabadi

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Posted 13 August 2007 - 11:09 PM

Some online books for free here:

http://www.openlibrary.org/
Sekhar

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#163 Hyderabadi

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Posted 17 August 2007 - 05:28 AM

Arrived  in the mail today:

Posted Image


http://www.amazon.co...d/dp/0195666054
Sekhar

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#164 iwanttogoback

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Posted 05 September 2007 - 08:31 PM

batistuta

in my haste to reply to your post on 'foucault's pendulum' i inadvertently hit the delete button instead of reply.

i'm really really sorry - can you repost? (it's late, i'm tired, i should be drawing...)

and i'm really glad you're enjoying it. have you got to the part where he is trying to decipher the password for the computer? priceless! :huh:
just is.

#165 batistuta

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Posted 06 September 2007 - 05:04 PM

'foucault's pendulum' - Umbreto Eco. It has a very intricate plot with lots of diversions. It supposedly deals with the plan of Templars, but Somehow, ends up dragging even Hitler in the story. I am in awe of this man's Intellect. His Research roams far and wide and he has included Possibly, every secret society that was present at that time. I, at times, got lost in the sea of Information that it contains . A very good read and yes, Dan Brown is not in the same league as this guy ( as suggested Earlier by My tree friends) .

Iwtgbk, It's ok, I have Posted it again and yes, I did enjoy the part where the deciphers the password. I was reminded of a comment made By Yash, earlier in this thread, where she says that She wants to attend the lectures of this Guy. I would like to do the same. :)

Edited by batistuta, 06 September 2007 - 05:05 PM.

Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#166 batistuta

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Posted 11 October 2007 - 06:51 AM

Love in the time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez explores the variouus stages of love and all it's different connnotations with  his usual elegant writing style. An ode to love set in the carribean with a neat ending. Not as good as One Hundred years of solitude as the canvas was not as vast, but very good Nonetheless. A love that lasts the test of time.
Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#167 iwanttogoback

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Posted 11 October 2007 - 07:09 AM

batistuta

your reading list sounds like mine when i was your age!

love in the time of cholera is really rather good isn't it?
just is.

#168 dzibead

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Posted 11 October 2007 - 08:36 AM

batistuta, your reading list is putting me to shame!  You are a voracious reader!  :lol:
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

#169 iwanttogoback

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Posted 11 October 2007 - 01:55 PM

it's those young folk dzi, nothing to do but lie around reading books. :lol:
just is.

#170 batistuta

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Posted 11 October 2007 - 06:06 PM

Iwtgbk, Yes, it is quite good, Marquez  has a very good writing style and the last few chapters were like Page-turners for me, Was curious to read the Finale. He is also a very witty writer. I agree, I am kinda Jobless, :)  so I read a lot.


Dzi, I Read in one of your posts that you have a massive collection of books that  are yet to be read, Wish I was in the same Postion, I have zero books to read, now.    :lol: . It wll change this weekend when I head to the book-shop again.  :lol:

Edited by batistuta, 11 October 2007 - 06:07 PM.

Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#171 Yashodhara

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Posted 11 October 2007 - 09:23 PM

Batistuta, you are a very fast reader too! And it is funny your reading list is very much in line with mine. Seems we all do fall for the same good stories here. Ah Marquez ... and you have me dreaming again  :grin: .

Before you head to the book shop this weekend, may I recommend one or two more authors? I don't know about anyone else here, but I absolutely love everything by T.C. Boyle. I find his writing very witty and human, and he does some great research on parts of American history. Drop City is a funny example for that, for a more contemporary subject I would recommend The Tortilla Curtain. And are you interested in Don DeLillo? This is heavy stuff and probably keeps you thinking quite a bit, but his observation of modern mass phenomena is mightily fascinating, yet nightmarish. I recommend Mao II which is maybe one tenth the size of his big hit Underworld.

Now happy book shopping!

:)
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.
(S. R.)

#172 Hyderabadi

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Posted 12 October 2007 - 08:08 AM

Currently fininishing  "The Afghan" by Frederick Forsyth.

Two of my favorite books are up for a re-read next - The Days of The Beloved and My Dear Nawab Saheb.
Sekhar

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#173 batistuta

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Posted 14 October 2007 - 06:44 PM

View PostYashodhara, on Oct 11 2007, 09:23 PM, said:

Ah Marquez ... and you have me dreaming again  ;) .


Before you head to the book shop this weekend, may I recommend one or two more authors? I don't know about anyone else here, but I absolutely love everything by T.C. Boyle. I find his writing very witty and human, and he does some great research on parts of American history. Drop City is a funny example for that, for a more contemporary subject I would recommend The Tortilla Curtain. And are you interested in Don DeLillo? This is heavy stuff and probably keeps you thinking quite a bit, but his observation of modern mass phenomena is mightily fascinating, yet nightmarish. I recommend Mao II which is maybe one tenth the size of his big hit Underworld.

Now happy book shopping!

;)

Yash, Yes, Marquez is an amazing writer and as his books are so good, I decided that I will read only one novel/ Per year. I admit, I did not know about  those two authors before your post. But I did find the plot-lines to be intriguing, especially Drop city and White noise. I bought both the books  and also placed an order for the Underground.  So, My Reading list looks like this, Now

A Thousand splendid suns- Khaled Hossieni ( Finished Reading this book, Today)
The Book thief- Markus Zusak. Has got rave reviews.
Drop City - T.C. Boyle
White Noise - Don De Lillo and
Reflections on the self- Jiddu Krishnamurthi ( Placed an order for this title)

Thanks for the Recommendations, Yash. ;)

Best Wishes,

Edited by batistuta, 14 October 2007 - 06:46 PM.

Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#174 batistuta

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Posted 14 October 2007 - 07:18 PM

A Thousand Splendid suns, Khaled Hossieni. As a follow-up to the Much acclaimed Kite-runner, this novel does not disappoint, It is based on the Friendship formed between Two women and the sacrifices they have to make in the War-torn Afghanistan. It also potrays  how the life of Afghan people has  changed, from the 1979 Revolution to the Ouster of the Taliban.

The book brings to life the futility of war, How the Afghans have been used as a pawn by the Major powers in the world and how the 'Common people' live their lives, amidst this chaos, with the hope of a better future.

Personally, the novel put into perspective, how my own problems in life are insignificant when compared with the  real Problems faced by the people in Afghanistan. How each moment is a blessing and how the world would be a better place if each of  us cared a bit more.

He has a simple writing style and  the events unfold quickly. Not as good as  the Kite-runner, but a very good read.

Next Up, The Book thief, Markus Zuzak.

Edited by batistuta, 14 October 2007 - 07:33 PM.

Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#175 batistuta

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Posted 23 October 2007 - 04:45 PM

The Book thief, Markus Zuzak.

With Death as it's narrator, It chronicles the life of a 10 year-old girl and her love for books, set in Nazi Germany during Hitler's rise to power, it potrays the events that unfold and the last 50 pages or so are very touching . A very good read.
Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#176 iwanttogoback

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Posted 23 October 2007 - 06:48 PM

i haven't read 'a thousand splendid suns', but madam princess has just read a children's novel about a group of orphaned children in war torn afghanistan, and refugee camps elsewhere. apparently it's one of a trilogy, and she has read them all.

i read bits of it with her and it was incredibly moving and awful, in the sense that what these children were experiencing should not have to be borne by anyone, let alone children.

i'm really impressed that books like this exist for children (i believe that they should know, in appropriate ways) about the world they live in. and i'm ever so proud that she chose them for herself, and read all three.

i'll try and remember to ask her the names of the books and authors.
just is.

#177 Luckywoman

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Posted 24 October 2007 - 01:56 AM

View Postiwanttogoback, on Oct 23 2007, 03:18 PM, said:

i haven't read 'a thousand splendid suns', but madam princess has just read a children's novel about a group of orphaned children in war torn afghanistan, and refugee camps elsewhere. apparently it's one of a trilogy, and she has read them all.

i read bits of it with her and it was incredibly moving and awful, in the sense that what these children were experiencing should not have to be borne by anyone, let alone children.

i'm really impressed that books like this exist for children (i believe that they should know, in appropriate ways) about the world they live in. and i'm ever so proud that she chose them for herself, and read all three.

i'll try and remember to ask her the names of the books and authors.

It's great when the kids are aware of the world they live in.
Afghanisthan is such a hot item and such a terrible country to live in, especially for women.
A thousand splendid suns made me cry, and made me feel so powerless, and at the same time so gratefull that I live in Holland.
It's a great book; you really should read it one day.
Imagination is more important than knowledge...

Albert Einstein

#178 batistuta

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Posted 24 October 2007 - 09:51 AM

View Postiwanttogoback, on Oct 23 2007, 06:48 PM, said:

i'm really impressed that books like this exist for children (i believe that they should know, in appropriate ways) about the world they live in. and i'm ever so proud that she chose them for herself, and read all three.

i'll try and remember to ask her the names of the books and authors.


Iwtgbk, The Book thief is also one such book. It takes a dark and sometimes comic view of the lives of ordinary people who are in the midst war.
Discover all that you are not -- body, feelings thoughts, time, space, this or that -- nothing, concrete or abstract, which you perceive can be you. The very act of perceiving shows that you are not what you perceive." -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

#179 iwanttogoback

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Posted 24 October 2007 - 10:09 AM

that's another on the reading list, over the summer when study is over and i'm working i'm planning on buying some books.

do you think it's suitable for a ten year old child?
just is.

#180 Shilpaks

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Posted 24 October 2007 - 12:23 PM

i just read this thread after ages :)
great to hear that you guys also loved thousand splendid suns....i also found it very moving ...i think had posted my thoughts on this thread(not sure if it was this thread or in a separate one)

i have been caught up with work so havent gotten around to reading much ;)
but this diwali and bday i have decided to splurge on books (not unexpected :)) ...am trying to put a list together ...any recomendations?