Review: Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A scintillating read, Didn't knew much about the Expedition until I read the book and a lot of links later on.
The character sketch of each and every character has been built to justify to the individuals. The journey traverses not just the Mountaineering but covers the society, the changes and the vision that followed as well.
Slightly dragging in the middle for about 20 pages, but the journey catches on. Also a bit of details have been contradictory to facts though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mallory

This was My First book by Jeffrey Archer, The style makes sure there are many more to follow.



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Review: The Secret of the Nagas

The Secret of the Nagas by Amish Tripathi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The Second book in series of the Shiva trilogy, this book is a definite upgrade in all terms. The story unfolds slowly and steadily, a lot of important characters have been introduced, without discounting on anyone's importance or detailed view.

The story continues from where we left at the First part, and takes you to a journey of some of the most prominent and well known parts of ancient India viz. Kashi, Panchwati, swadeep . . .
The build up to characters have been very well portrayed with each character emphasizing on one part of Good or Evil as we pursue it. The emotional conflict, the pride, the valour, the survival instincts, rage, betrayal, all building up for a near perfect climax.
We have all grown up reading about ancient Indian wisdom , and that part has been well portrayed and logically covered , whether it being the Medication, Hygiene, Diet or the awesome pulley based gates on the mighty Ganga.
New Characters have been revealed and some shocking revelations have been made, making up for slightly loose threads in the first part (which I think have been deliberately left open).

Amish Tripathi has really built up a new genre and lived to the expectations. What more, he's successfully kept readers spellbound waiting for the final part of the Trilogy [The Oath of the Vayuputra].





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Review: The Immortals of Meluha

The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



An Interesting take at the mythological world blended with facts of Indus valley civilization, taking bits and pieces from current world.
Not an Outright winner but indeed a fresh take and a worthy read.
The Plot depicting search for the "Destroyer" and his Journey around the Empire is well plotted. However the Novel takes a weak turn towards Middle parts, may be in pursue of plotting a story which'll cover the threads in sequels.

The depiction of a perfect society though far fetched, feels most appropriate, the balance of Suryawanshi Vs Chandrawanshi Tribe towards the end makes the next Novel a worthy wait.

Tragedy, Suspense, Thriller, Emotions, Mythology, Rituals, Ego, This Novel has everything to keep you captivated but still leaves you gaping and wanting for more.
I would love to see this Novel turn into a Movie.



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Review: The Last Testament

The Last Testament by Sam Bourne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



An Interesting blend of Facts and fiction. A Handy guide for someone like me who is interested in the dynamics of World politics, but hasn't got patience to read through or watch over.

A very captivating threading of events from Iraq to Europe to America to Israel and around. The Novel revolves around 2 Key characters with a blend of real(istic) and Imaginary characters coming in.

Made me go Google and Wiki up some facts, and In turn Read a bit more.

The novel interestingly and innovatively promotes http://secondlife.com/ throughout the novel with some far fetched (ok it's a work of fiction) Hacking and Cracking.

Overall a Nice read, especially if you are Politically inclined but Lazy bum and needs prodding to read.



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Review: The Fountainhead

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


One of the best Books of all time , you can relate to each and every character and incident at any moment of time.Very gripping and very well written.
The contrast of Characters, the transition, the fight for Power, the complexity of human nature ... everything is just so well laid off , it'll remain classic for ever.



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Dragon Fire -By Humphrey Hawksley : "After fifty years India and Pakistan have not grown up."

As Per Our Very Own Wiki:

Dragon Fire is a 2000 novel by BBC political and foreign correspondent Humphrey Hawksley about a 2007 war between China, India and Pakistan, which draws in Australia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Tibet, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and threatens to escalate to nuclear war.

While a work of fiction, the novel attempts to raise awareness of real geopolitical issues in the region.

The Plot starts from Special Frontier Force (SFF) of Tibet. Formed and (supposedly) supported by India for the independence of Tibet.

A religious leader of Tibet named Lama Togen, just like Dalai Lama, is imprisoned in Drapchi prison of Tibet. SFF troop steal a helicopter and some guns from Dehradoon base, paint it in Chinese Army colour with all the necessary signs and details. Then in a very daring operation that causes heavy casualties they free Lama Togen from Drapchi prison.

A lone Antonov-32 transport aircraft flies through dawn light over the Himalayas and approaches the Tibetan capital Lhasa. Far to the west, Pakistani multi-role combat aircraft roar across the Line-of-Control in Kashmir...

Being a veteran BBC journalist and China expert, a lot of what Hawksley writes is actual reality. He uses the political scenario of today to extrapolate what may happen seven years hence.
Its depiction of the possible future of South Asian international relations lead to a significant amount of media coverage, especially in India, including favorable comments from George Fernandes, the then Indian Minister for Defense.

When we Say FUTURE , we must state the fact that this novel was written in 2000, keeping the timeline pointed to 2007 and beyond.
On that line , if you look back into the events being depicted, the novel seems moe a work of facts rather than fiction:

• April 1999 -- the Kargil war broke out.
• October 1999 -- the Pakistan coup.(General Hamid khan Aka General Musharraf)
• January 2000 -- the escape of the 17th Karmapa Lama to India.(Lama Togen)
• March 2000 -- Taiwan votes in the pro-independence DPP amid military tension with China.
• March 2000 -- President Bill Clinton's historic visit to India underlines the US' support of democracy over military governments.
• Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 culminating in the Tiananmen Square Massacre (referred to in Chinese as the June Fourth Incident, to avoid confusion with two other Tiananmen Square protests) were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square led by labour activists, students, and intellectuals in the People's Republic of China (PRC) between 15 April and 4 June 1989.

• The Chinese authorities have consistently banned Hawksley's going to Tibet

• Tibet and Kashmir simmer. Territorial disputes remain unresolved. Military modernization, particularly missiles, submarines and nuclear delivery, continues in both India and China.

Though starting on a heroic and far fetched note , the book assumes pace , reality , passion , and gradually develops interest in serious as well as fiction readers like me.
A great deal of research can surely be felt amongst the pages. Some of the key notes Which might interest you and correlate with current scenario are:

1. SINO - Pak Relationship
2. Dual Faced behaviour of CHINA and its agressive marketing approach.
   
3. Realization and invard looking transformation of th BIG BOSS (Uncle SAM).
4. LapDoggish approach of british government, and gradual fight for an upper hand.
5. Japan as a rising power.
6. Russia with his Burnt yet prevailing ego.
7. India and its consistent approach towards peace, non violence, and non aggressive mode.
8. India's Non Committal Support to Dalai Lama and Krampa Lama.
   

The theory of Russia threatening retaliation if the US, Europe and Japan intervene against China on India's behalf is a tad too incredible. And his conclusion (A Nuclear Sabbotage of India) is also not very plausible yet not impossible.

DRAGONFIRE explores the three-edged war so dreaded in Asia. India and Pakistan have been in conflict for half a century.It is a very gripping novel and a realistic one at that, of the next war. Written by a person who has command over his subject, this is a very thought provoking novel and it raises certain questions in your mind. It is written in a thriller style, a page turning novel.

Following Links might interest you and help find more info:

1. Humphrey Hawksley's Interview in India Today
2. Quick Overview
3. Similar Books
4. Sidharth Singh's Review of the Book
5. Praises for the auther
6. A very nice Synopsis
7. Dragon Fire WIKI
   

The Three Mistakes Of My Life - Chetan Bhagat - A Cliché Comes Alive

Chetan Bhagat - Geek(IITian) Turned Shakespeare(5.SM1), turning Paolo Coelho (1 Nyt @ CC) has Finally Managed a Power Buster to Be a HOT YashRaj Stock (T3MOML).
The Art of Fiction has every aspect a director needs to capitalize for a movie: emotions , betrayal, CRICKET, Regionalism, Secularist , Separatists , Survival , Romance and yeah ITEM ;).

The First thing that catches the eye is : COVER , beautifully designed , simple , yet so vivid , Nice use of pastels , and Indian youth emotions (CRICKET).
To top it all , the Media Agency did the icing by quoting "New York Times: The Best-Selling English -Language Novelist in Indian History"

DUH ! ! ! Whatever...
Coming to the book , Well have been waiting for another piece by Chetan after devastating 1 Nyt@CC. This book See's him through, and beyond. Loads of interesting facts well threaded into fiction. The best part of the novel's : Chetan's not lost on with "Been There - Done That" for the reader , you still feel a part of the novel , through to the end AND he's Growing along with you ;)
I've been a part of 5.some1 during college days , and now feel the same way out here.

TTMOML has a very FILMY starting :
"It is not everyday you sit in front of your computer on a Saturday morning and get emails like this:
From: Ahd_businessman@gmail.com
Sent: 12/28/2005 11:40 PM
To: info@chetanbhagat.com
Subject: A final note

Dear Chetan,
This email is a combined suicide note and a confession letter. I have let people down and have no reason to live. You don't know me. I'm an ordinary boy in Ahmedabad who....."

And Woah, i was bound to read this one through. I'll not be s spoiler now , just some pointers, This Book's for all those who:

1. Adore Cricket
2. Hate Secularism(Psudo)
3. Are Irritated @ Indian System
4. Want Some motivation, (not those SELF HELP BOOKS)
5. Need a Time Pass
6. Brutally beaten on love life
7. Love Yash Raj Melodrama (duh ! ! ! but yeah ...)
8. A Fan of 5.Some1
9. Fantasize Plans , fail to perform
10.Are a new reader/Want to xplore more styles
11. Know all the Ahemdabad places mentioned in the book ( ;) )
12.BELIEVE IN ME ( lol)

Thats all from me on the book , hope to finish my next one (Dragonfire:Humphry Hawksley) soon.