Books I read in 2011
Impressed at the number of books I read in 2011. 27 in all.Assuming an average of 300 pages per book, this comes to an average of 22 pages a day. Books are picked up at random at airport book stalls, friends' recos and reviews read in Time or India Today. Happy that did not read too much of management BS or the self help variety last year. Also fiction is no longer a preferred choice. 20 of the ...books are either written by Indians or about India / S.Asia - Middle East by European /American authors. Here they go along with my rating on a 5 point scale.
1. The Beautiful and the Damned - Siddharth Deb ****
The changing India is a favourite topic for a lot of others. Capturing the dreams of the 'new' India seems to have caught the fancy of a lot of others. This book falls into that category. I liked the chapters on the girls from the North East. This book was also in the news because there was a chapter on Arindam Chaudhry ( our resident management guru/fraud) which he got it removed thru a court order in Silchar ( why he filed a case there still beats me). The chapter titled 'The Sweet Smell of Success' is available on the internet. Overall, an interesting book.
2. Lucknow Boy - Vinod Mehta **
For all those in their late 40s and early 50s, Vinod Mehta introduced us to Nudes and also supposedly intellectual stuff on books / movies thru Debonair. We are eternally grateful to him for that and for being an important part of our transition from childhood to adoloscence. This is Vinod Mehta at his indulgent best....rambles thru his childhood in Lucknow, his struggles in UK and then the serial firings of him as editor of multiple news papers and magazines. It is interesting in parts. Not withstanding his very ordinary background, you have to give it to him that he gave us some very interesting magazines....Debonair...long dead but still available in the Fort Area on the foot paths..and Outlook...which is like the Curate's egg...Good in parts ( or rather some issues are good).... Also he has a great quality which very few journos have...of self deprecation and the ability to laugh at himself....Read it if you like Vinod Mehta
5. Last Nizam - John Zubrzyci - ****
The Asaf Jahi Dynasty was always fascinating. When we were young, we used to walk to school ( 2 kms away from home) once in a while and walk past the King Kothi ( where the 6th and 7th Nizams lived) and always wondered how life was inside...( btw...the 7th Nizam who is actually the last Nizam died in 1964 when I was 5 years old). From a very alternative point of view..this book is about failed opportunity...the 8th Nizam ( Mukaram Jah ) was the only king to be sworn in post-independance...he was the grandson of one of the richest men in the world from the paternal side...and the grandson of the Last Caliph / Monarch of the Ottoman empire from his mother's side....he could have become one of the most influential figures of the 20th century..if he wished to...this book is all about how he frittered it away...very well written...it is not just about the 8th Nizam but also covers the entire Asaf Jahi Dynasty....Book is not easily available...
6.Indian Mujhaideen - The enemy within *** - Sishir MisraThis book busts one of the enduring myths of Indian government propoganda that the entire terrorist business is all imported from across the border. This book goes event by event and chronicles the terrorists who were involved in them, citing governent authenticated records...the process of indoctrination and conversion of ordinary poor boys who do not see much of a future in India and generally feel victimised and are purposeless and how they get tapped and get sucked into the terror business is eye opening. It is at times scary that the chap sitting next to you in the train or in the movie theater could be a sleeper or a terrorist in the making. Read it...it will scare the day lights out of you.
7.Chutneyfying English - The phenomenon of English - Rita Kothari
A very airport / railwaystation kind of a book. Avoidable.**
8.Revolution 2020 - Chetan Bhagat *
Aahh...Who doesn't love Chetan Bhagat bashing...that he writes pedestrian stuff.. catering to the masses, appealing to the basest levels of intellect etc., etc., but Chetan Bhagat has to be admired for being India's best selling author. And I also like the life he leads...giving up a job in a MNC bank and writing books...becuase that is where is heart is ( it helps that you have a wife working in a I-Bank)...Having said so many nice things about Chetan Bhagat...this is his worst book...he sould stick to writing semi-autobiographical books without trying to become a social commentator....cultural critic...blah blah blah...stick to writing simple books ( like TWO STATES )..we'll love you for that...Please don't try to become the 21st century Nirad Chaudhry..
3. The Steve Jobs Way - Jay Elliott - *
5. Last Nizam - John Zubrzyci - ****
The Asaf Jahi Dynasty was always fascinating. When we were young, we used to walk to school ( 2 kms away from home) once in a while and walk past the King Kothi ( where the 6th and 7th Nizams lived) and always wondered how life was inside...( btw...the 7th Nizam who is actually the last Nizam died in 1964 when I was 5 years old). From a very alternative point of view..this book is about failed opportunity...the 8th Nizam ( Mukaram Jah ) was the only king to be sworn in post-independance...he was the grandson of one of the richest men in the world from the paternal side...and the grandson of the Last Caliph / Monarch of the Ottoman empire from his mother's side....he could have become one of the most influential figures of the 20th century..if he wished to...this book is all about how he frittered it away...very well written...it is not just about the 8th Nizam but also covers the entire Asaf Jahi Dynasty....Book is not easily available...
6.Indian Mujhaideen - The enemy within *** - Sishir MisraThis book busts one of the enduring myths of Indian government propoganda that the entire terrorist business is all imported from across the border. This book goes event by event and chronicles the terrorists who were involved in them, citing governent authenticated records...the process of indoctrination and conversion of ordinary poor boys who do not see much of a future in India and generally feel victimised and are purposeless and how they get tapped and get sucked into the terror business is eye opening. It is at times scary that the chap sitting next to you in the train or in the movie theater could be a sleeper or a terrorist in the making. Read it...it will scare the day lights out of you.
7.Chutneyfying English - The phenomenon of English - Rita Kothari
A very airport / railwaystation kind of a book. Avoidable.**
8.Revolution 2020 - Chetan Bhagat *
Aahh...Who doesn't love Chetan Bhagat bashing...that he writes pedestrian stuff.. catering to the masses, appealing to the basest levels of intellect etc., etc., but Chetan Bhagat has to be admired for being India's best selling author. And I also like the life he leads...giving up a job in a MNC bank and writing books...becuase that is where is heart is ( it helps that you have a wife working in a I-Bank)...Having said so many nice things about Chetan Bhagat...this is his worst book...he sould stick to writing semi-autobiographical books without trying to become a social commentator....cultural critic...blah blah blah...stick to writing simple books ( like TWO STATES )..we'll love you for that...Please don't try to become the 21st century Nirad Chaudhry..
3. The Steve Jobs Way - Jay Elliott - *
This is a hack's job. Jay Elliott is a beneficiary iof Mr Job's munificence. Don't know how I got this book ( did not buy it for sure), but is avoidable.
4. Mumbai Fables - Prof. Gyan Prakash ****One of the more interesting books on Mumbai. The author has picked up some important events / vignettes from the Mumbai landscape and written about them. His scholarly background is evident in the quality of research that seems to have gone into each of the stories. The one on the Nanavati murder case is particularly interesting.
4. Mumbai Fables - Prof. Gyan Prakash ****One of the more interesting books on Mumbai. The author has picked up some important events / vignettes from the Mumbai landscape and written about them. His scholarly background is evident in the quality of research that seems to have gone into each of the stories. The one on the Nanavati murder case is particularly interesting.
9.Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson - ****
What can you write about one of the most reviewed books in contemporary times ! Perhaps the most sympathetic ( by the time the book was comissioned, Stev Jobs was already diagnosed ill) books on him. In my earlier years, read a couple of books about his arrogant, ruthless, insensitive personality...Must admit that though the book was a little soft on Mr Jobs ( published posthomusly ), it gives a pretty balanced picture of the chequered life of Steve Jobs. ...and ultimately what can you say about the company that he created.....his products might not have solved World hunger...but they make us lead our lives in an interesting fashion....and a man who defined 'cool'..... RIP..Mr Jobs.
10.Tony Blair - A Journey - Tony Blair ***
For some strange reason, this book was panned all over and also won the notorious bad sex award. I found the book pretty interesting. The one upman ship battles of Tony Blair versus Gordon Brown ( TB v/s GB as it is referred to in the book) made interesting reading. Amongst other things, Tony Blair comes out as an honest and successful politician. Tony Blair being an American puppy further gets reinforced as you read the book.
11.Osaman Bin Laden - Thomas R Mockaitis - ***
12. India - A Portrait - Patrick French ***
I love the way Mr French writes. Read this book. It gives you an insider/outsider view of India on the roll. Patrick's wife is Indian...love the chapter on India's parliamentary democracy....it gives you a totally differtent perspective on elections...and how India inspite of being a democracy is actually a heriditary system...not just in Congress...but in all parties.
13.Pakisan - a Hard Country - Anatol Leiven *****
14.TinderBox - The Past and Future of Pakistan - M J Akbar
*****
15.Six Suspects - Vikas Swaroop ***
16.Growing Up Bin Laden-Jean Sasson - ***
17.Debunking 9/11 Myths -David Dunbar **
18. Rajini's Punch tantra - P C Balasubramaniam**
19. 5 Engaging Ways to promote Employee Performance, Growth and Well Being - Ganesh Chella ****
20. Employees First - Customers Second - Vineet Nayyar ***
21.The Winning Way - Harsha and Anita Bhogle - **
22.The Facebook Effect - David Kirkpatrick ***
23.9/11 Wars - Jason Burke *****
24. The Upside of Irrationality - Dan Ariely ****
25. Locating Home - Karen Isaksen Leonard ***
26. Unusual People do things differently - TGC Prasad ***
27. Adapt - Tim Harford **
10.Tony Blair - A Journey - Tony Blair ***
For some strange reason, this book was panned all over and also won the notorious bad sex award. I found the book pretty interesting. The one upman ship battles of Tony Blair versus Gordon Brown ( TB v/s GB as it is referred to in the book) made interesting reading. Amongst other things, Tony Blair comes out as an honest and successful politician. Tony Blair being an American puppy further gets reinforced as you read the book.
11.Osaman Bin Laden - Thomas R Mockaitis - ***
12. India - A Portrait - Patrick French ***
I love the way Mr French writes. Read this book. It gives you an insider/outsider view of India on the roll. Patrick's wife is Indian...love the chapter on India's parliamentary democracy....it gives you a totally differtent perspective on elections...and how India inspite of being a democracy is actually a heriditary system...not just in Congress...but in all parties.
13.Pakisan - a Hard Country - Anatol Leiven *****
14.TinderBox - The Past and Future of Pakistan - M J Akbar
*****
15.Six Suspects - Vikas Swaroop ***
16.Growing Up Bin Laden-Jean Sasson - ***
17.Debunking 9/11 Myths -David Dunbar **
18. Rajini's Punch tantra - P C Balasubramaniam**
19. 5 Engaging Ways to promote Employee Performance, Growth and Well Being - Ganesh Chella ****
20. Employees First - Customers Second - Vineet Nayyar ***
21.The Winning Way - Harsha and Anita Bhogle - **
22.The Facebook Effect - David Kirkpatrick ***
23.9/11 Wars - Jason Burke *****
24. The Upside of Irrationality - Dan Ariely ****
25. Locating Home - Karen Isaksen Leonard ***
26. Unusual People do things differently - TGC Prasad ***
27. Adapt - Tim Harford **
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