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I generally eschew controversial works as most of the time it tends to reflect 'value judgement' . There is no room for truth when the proponent is deeply biased - as is in this case. Christopher Hitchen was a known socialist/leftist who held deeply biased views against religion and institutions. His one time Editor has accused him of a falsifier of information. His polemic 'God is not so Great' is a diatribe against all religions.

I borrowed that book from a library and frankly I couldn't get past a dozen pages before I called it quits. It is sensationalism and he jumps to conclusions not based on hard facts. Clearly it seemed to me as malevolent, mischievous, irrelevant and abusive.

I don't want to start an argument on this book - as it will degenerate into a bitter discussion on religion and faith.

Oh, I am not arguing about for the book either. You have to draw your own conclusion, but only after reading it.

Christopher Hitchen was the most controversial writer/orator/super-intellect of our times. His books may be difficult to understand, but his speeches are not. And there are 100s of his video debates on youtube. Watch it without bias, and draw your own conclusions.

We as human beings are very good at comparing things more in relative sense than in absolute. Would recommend this book :

Undercover Economist by Tim Harford

http://www.amazon.com/Undercover-Eco...2665121&sr=1-1

Reminded me of suggesting it here, after reading the debate on Ecosport Vs Duster with points evolving around VFM, # of seats, segments, etc etc. Makes a breezy reading.

A wonderful book that my wife brought back from one of her trips. Made great reading!

My favorite author would be 'Frederick Forsyth'. The Master Storyteller! Each and every book of his is based on meticulous research and detail!

1. The Day of the Jackal - Frederick Forsyth
2. The Eye of the Needle - Ken Follet
3. Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
4. The Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy
5. The Odessa File - Frederick Forsyth

There are books and then there are books which grab you by the scruff of the neck and keep you hooked till you have journeyed from cover to cover. Reading ’ Half of a yellow sun’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was like sparring with a snub nosed super heavyweight; the prose is hard-hitting and keeps you ducking and weaving with the poignant questions it raises on subjects as diverse as race, class and human conflict. Her writing transports you into the early years of a newborn state, still grappling with a transitory phase from a colonial past to an uncertain future as the change of guard happens in a newly liberated Nigeria. The language, earthy and direct, brings out the ancient prejudices and contempt that the erstwhile white ruling elite retained for the blacks. The book traces the lives of diverse characters against the backdrop of the ethnic conflict shortly after Nigeria was liberated and the subsequent move for the breakaway state of Biafra. This secessionist move still evokes strong emotions in modern day Nigeria and you feel the stillborn nation’s shadow hanging heavy over the plot.

The prose is simple yet lyrical and begins with little Ugwu making his way from an obscure village to work as a houseboy for the young firebrand Mathematics professor Odenigbo, a product of the Western educated intellectual elite and a strident advocate of African nationalism. One experiences the discordant notes through Ugwu’s eyes as ancient tribal identities try and make peace with an urbanizing Africa, forever changed by the legacy of the empire. You sense the author’s masterful grasp of human relationships as she presents a contrast between the twin sisters Olanna, Odenigbo’s beautiful lover with a heart of gold and the cold and headstrong Kainene who is different from her twin sister in every way. Daughters of one of Nigeria’s wealthy aristocrats, the conflicting personalities of the twins - one affectionate and optimistic about the young nation’s future while the other aloof and viscerally cynical of the motives of the avaricious and ham handed kleptocrats who only seek to perpetuate exploitation – present a vivid commentary of the dilemma of the young state. The cast of characters is rounded off by Richard, the dreamy British expat who is equally enamored by Kainenene and Nigeria’s tribal heritage and harbors a fanciful if touching idea of writing a book on the ancient pottery art of Nigeria.

The characters are thrown into a maelstrom of both interpersonal and physical conflicts as interracial strife threatens to tear the country apart. You love the author’s nuanced treatment of how the characters’ lives intersect; the uneasy ferment resulting from ancient beliefs colliding with western ideas, hurling the protagonists headlong into conflict. Perhaps the most revealing aspect of this book is the depiction of the naked brutality of the Biafran conflict, where starvation – which would become a weapon of choice with African warlords – was used with lethal efficacy to cow the secessionists into submission.

Half of a yellow sun, the emblem of the stillborn Biafran nation, stands as an allegory of a people who dreamt of a small enclave where they could lead an existence rooted in their liberal beliefs. It met with a fate many such utopian ambitions usually end up in. The lyrical quality of the prose however makes you a believer and a convert, that no matter what the price, such dreams are meant to be followed.

My 70 year old uncle wants to read

- a book on WW II. Wants an interesting & authentic read.
- Mahabharata (English version)

Any recommendations ?

Regarding second world war history, I would recommend B H Liddell Hart's "History of the Second World War" published by Weidenfeld Nicolson (1970). I have read through the book and what I liked was that although by a British historian, the book is a very balanced account as Liddell Hart had interviewed many high ranking German Generals after the end of World War II. So definitely authenticity is there.

The 4-book series by Jeff Shaara on WW-II. He has also covered US Revolutionary war, Mexican War, Civil War, WW-I and WW-II. I have read them all except the latest one.

http://www.jeffshaara.com/shaara_books.htm

He can please read Mahabharata by RK Narayanan also

Thanks. Does it cover - what started the war, results, repercussions, the political alliances and loyalties etc ?

Samu san - Four book series sounds a li'l too much maybe ?

Thanks. Will check the price online and order.

Kamala Subramaniam's book, published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is simply awesome. It appears to not be available in online stores right now. Check if a brick and mortar store has it. Alternatively, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has branches in most big cities, and they may have stock.

She was a Sanskrit scholar and translated from Sanskrit into English. She's also written the Ramayana and the Bhagavatham.

Is this the one ?

http://www.homeshop18.com/mahabharat...3025/cid:12026

They are written in a novel format, unlike a dry history book. It is actually hard to stop once you finish the first book.

Finished Inferno - Dan Brown.
nice story, but almost a tour guide

Angels & Demons was better ie focused on the story not the city.

read last 20-22 pages of Inferno in a tent at Sarchu on my ladakh bike ride.
Nice place to read a good book.