-
Gods, Guns & Missionaries
When European missionaries first arrived in India in the sixteenth century, they entered a world both fascinating and bewildering. Hinduism, as they saw it, was a pagan mess: the worship of devils and monsters by a people who burned women alive, performed outlandish rites and fed children to crocodiles. But soon it became clear that Hindu ‘idolatry’ was far more complex than white men’s stereotypes allowed, and Hindus had little desire to convert. But then, European power began to grow in India, and under colonial rule, missionaries assumed a forbidding appearance. During the British Raj, Western frames of thinking gained ascendancy and Hindus felt pressed to reimagine their religion. This was both to fortify it against Christian attacks and to resist foreign rule. It is this encounter which has, in good measure, inspired modern Hinduism’s present shape. Indeed, Hindus subverted some of the missionaries’ own tools and strategies in the process, triggering the birth of Hindu nationalism, now so dominant in the country. In Gods, Guns and Missionaries, Manu S. Pillai takes us through these remarkable dynamics. With an arresting cast of characters―maharajahs, poets, gun-wielding revolutionaries, politicians, polemicists, philosophers and clergymen―this book is ambitious in its scope and provocative in its position. Lucid and exhaustive, it is, at once, a political history, a review of Hindu culture and a study of the social forces that prepared the ground for Hindu nationalism. Turning away from simplistic ideas on religious evolution and European imperialism, the past as it appears here is more complicated―and infinitely richer―than popular narratives allow.
-
Felicia's Favourites A Mother's Secrets
Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world’s most popular authors, with a billion copies of her novels sold to date. Her international bestsellers include Far From Home, Never Say Never and Trial By Fire. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina’s life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; and the children’s books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood. Danielle divides her time between Paris and her home in northern California.
-
Development Dialogues: Journeys, Ideas, and the Makers of Modern India
What does it take to build a nation? In Development Dialogues, industrialist and philanthropist Dattaraj V. Salgaocar engages thirteen of India's most distinguished minds in a series of wide-ranging conversations on leadership, science, diplomacy, governance, innovation, public service and nation-building. Through candid discussions with some of the architects of modern India, the book explores how ambition, adversity, conviction and purpose shape individual lives and national progress. Featuring conversations with leading figures including Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Dr S. Jaishankar, Harish Salve, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Ritu Karidhal and others, this volume offers rare insights into the ideas, decisions and experiences that have influenced India's development journey. Thought-provoking and inspiring, Development Dialogues provides readers with a unique perspective on the people helping to shape India's future. 💡 What Readers Will Learn • Leadership principles from accomplished national figures • How innovation drives economic and social development • Lessons from science, diplomacy, law and entrepreneurship • The role of vision, resilience and values in public life • Insights into India's evolving position in the world • Personal experiences behind major national achievements
-
The Greatest Indian Animal Stories Ever Told
For centuries, the animal kingdom has captured the Indian imagination. And the land of the Panchatantra and the Jataka Tales continues to give rise to literary masterpieces. Some of the greatest stories in modern Indian literature have animals as protagonists. In The Greatest Indian Animal Stories Ever Told, Sumana Roy collects the best fiction written about animals from the past hundred years or so. Beginning with Premchand’s classic, ‘A Tale of Two Bullocks’, and taking in its sweep some of the greatest pieces of literary fiction to have originated in India, including ‘Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’ by Rudyard Kipling, ‘Mahesh’ by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, ‘The Mark of Vishnu’ by Khushwant Singh, ‘A Horse and Two Goats’ by R. K. Narayan, ‘Poonachi’ by Perumal Murugan, ‘The Crocodile and the Monkey’ by Vikram Seth, ‘The Reflections of a Hen in Her Last Hour’ by Paul Zacharia, ‘The Last Tiger’ by Ruskin Bond and ‘Elephant at Sea’ by Kanishk Tharoor, the stories in The Greatest Indian Animal Stories Ever Told are guaranteed to dazzle the reader.
-
How Nations Fail And The Unmaking of America’s World
The question ‘how nations fail’ has intrigued generations. Just as the possibility of a nation’s rise has been a source of excitement. Yet, the perfect formula for a nation’s ascendance eludes the world. Instead, every so often, failure stalks nations. Now the plunge looms larger than ever. Ours is not the first time a number of countries could face financial challenges in a cascade. But this is certainly the first time an entire world might fail. The big concern now is where is the world headed. The possibility of a global dive into the unknown is real. How Nations Fail is about that consequence. Throughout this remarkable book, Rajiv Dogra shows exceptional ability to critically think through the national fault lines: why they happened, and how civilizations, empires and nations collapsed. It is about some of the most anxious enquiries of our troubled times. Will America fail and will China rise even more? It is also about the rest of us: where in this new world will we fit in? A brilliantly told feast of words, How Nations Fail is thought-provoking history at its best.
-
Rama Rajya : Creating an Ideal Bharat
What can the ideal kingdom of Rama teach a modern nation about governance, justice and Leadership? For centuries, Rama Rajya has stood as one of the most enduring ideals in Indian civilization—a vision of a society founded on dharma, welfare, harmony, accountability and compassionate governance. In Rama Rajya: Creating an Ideal Bharat, Prafull Goradia and Jaganniwas Iyer revisit this timeless concept, examining its relevance not merely as a spiritual aspiration, but as a framework for statecraft and public life. Drawing primarily on the Valmiki Ramayana and informed by political inquiry, the authors explore the principles that shaped Rama’s polity, from kingship and diplomacy to warfare and governance. By placing these ideas within a broader civilizational and geopolitical context, the book reclaims Rama Rajya as a living model for ethical leadership and nation-building in contemporary India. Inside this book, you’ll discover 🏹 The political vision of Rama Rajya: Explore the foundations of an ideal state rooted in dharma, justice and public welfare. 📜 Governance through the lens of the Ramayana: Understand how the epic offers enduring insights into leadership, responsibility and statecraft. ⚖️ Dharma above power: Examine a model of governance where moral law guides political authority. 🤝 Kingship, diplomacy and public duty: Discover the principles that shaped governance, alliances and decision-making in Rama’s era. 🌏 A civilizational framework for Bharat: Explore how ancient ideas continue to inform contemporary debates on governance and nationhood. 🏛 Rama Rajya in the modern world: Reflect on the relevance of ethical governance in addressing present-day political and social challenges. Why this book matters • Reinterprets the concept of Rama Rajya through the lens of governance and statecraft • Draws extensively from the Valmiki Ramayana and Indic political thought • Bridges civilizational wisdom with contemporary public policy questions • Offers a thought-provoking vision for ethical leadership and nation-building A Blueprint for an Ideal Bharat Written by parliamentarian, author and political thinker Prafull Goradia and researcher–analyst Jaganniwas Iyer, Rama Rajya combines historical inquiry, political analysis and civilizational reflection. For readers interested in the Ramayana, governance, Indian political thought and the future of Bharat, this book offers a compelling exploration of one of India’s most enduring ideals. Because the pursuit of an ideal society begins with understanding the principles that sustain it.
-
Giorgia’s Vision
What does it mean to defend identity in an age of globalization? Can nations preserve their culture while navigating the pressures of modern politics and economic change? In Giorgia’s Vision, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offers a deeply personal and political reflection on these defining questions of our time. Structured as a series of candid conversations with journalist Alessandro Sallusti, the book moves beyond conventional political memoir into a broader conversation on leadership, national identity, meritocracy, family, faith, and the future of Western civilization. Speaking from the office of the Italian Prime Minister at Palazzo Chigi, Meloni reflects on her journey from a working-class neighbourhood in Rome to becoming Italy’s first female Prime Minister, while also laying out the ideological foundations that shape her politics. Across chapters that broach autobiography, political philosophy, and cultural commentary, Meloni discusses Europe’s identity crisis, the tensions between nationalism and globalism, migration, the role of institutions, economic sovereignty, and the erosion of traditional social structures. The book also offers a rare insight into the emotional and personal dimensions of political power, including the loneliness of leadership, the burden of public expectations, and the sacrifices demanded by public life. Through reflections on figures ranging from Joan of Arc to Margaret Thatcher, Meloni positions her politics within a larger conservative tradition shaped by resilience and cultural continuity. Deeply introspective, Giorgia’s Vision is a manifesto on the meaning of identity in the twenty-first century. It is a book that speaks to the anxieties and aspirations shaping Europe and the wider West today. • A Rare Window into Europe’s Most Watched Political Leader Step inside Palazzo Chigi through intimate conversations with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she reflects on power, identity, leadership, and the future of Italy and Europe. • A Personal Journey from Rome’s Working-Class Neighbourhoods to National Leadership Meloni recounts her rise from humble beginnings to becoming Italy’s first female Prime Minister, revealing the determination, sacrifice, and convictions that shaped her path. • A Bold Conversation on Identity and the West From globalization and migration to family, faith, and national sovereignty, the book explores the ideological battles transforming Europe and redefining Western politics. • Candid, Unfiltered, and Provocative In conversations with journalist Alessandro Sallusti, Meloni speaks openly about criticism, media narratives, public expectations, and the emotional cost of leadership.
-
The Trees of My Country: A Natural History of India in 50 Trees
Trees are great storytellers and living historians of place. By paying attention to trees, you can begin to hear the stories they tell, the histories they document, and the places they describe. They shape their surroundings even as they themselves are shaped by their environment. India has long been a land of remarkable trees—known for their elegant or majestic presence, colourful or verdant foliage, attractive or fragrant flowers, and their panoplies of fruit. The set of fifty native species in this book, representing India’s rich tapestry of tree species, takes readers on an extraordinary journey spanning the subcontinent, through varied landscapes and lives. Building on the foundations of knowledge established by botany and taxonomy, this book unravels the intricacies of ecology and natural history of trees to appreciate their connections to the places they inhabit, to other species, and to people. It traces how changes in the world wrought by people influence trees and ultimately the people themselves.
-
Sunama
All parents wish to give a unique and meaningful name to their child. In India, a Sanskrit name is mostly preferred. Often parents turn to the Internet, which is replete with misinformation on Sanskrit names. Popular name websites too mispresent meaning of many Sanskrit words and sometimes even list names from other languages, presenting them as Sanskrit. Some bestselling books on Sanskrit names also carry such mistakes. Parents are misled by such sources and end up giving a kunama ('a bad name') to their child.Each Sanskrit sunama-or 'a good name'-has a mathematical derivation (vyutpatti) and/or a mystical explanation (nirukti). This work by Sanskrit scholar Nityananda Misra is a wonderful collection of more than 3,000 sunamas, most of which are rare or unused today. He studied more than 70,000 names in seventy-seven authentic Sanskrit texts, including seven Vedic sa?hitas, ten Pura?as, the Ramaya?a, the Mahabharata, seven ko?as, three grammar works and thirty-eight sahasranamas for this compilation. Each name entry includes the Devanagari and IAST spellings, gender, meaning, and the person or deity to whom the name belongs.A work of immense dedication and accurate research, this is a must-have for parents seeking unique names for their child.
-
Corporate Avatars
How to deal with Quirks at work. If you have ever worked in a corporate world, you are likely to have been confounded by some of its more curious characters – the sentimental dame with her sappy reminiscing, the bumbling accountant who can never seem to figure it out on his own and the freshly minted management graduate who is a walking encyclopedia – to name just a few. Getting along is not always easy. But don’t lose hope just yet. Corporate Avatars tackles the oddities at the workplace in an exhilarating read, giving you just the smart essentials you need to survive such folk and make your way up the ladder. Spirited and saucy, this undeniably helpful book reveals the quirks of more than 40 colorful personalities you are likely to meet at the workplace. It is the perfect compass with which to navigate the rough seas of the business world.
-
Daiva: Discovering the Extraordinary World of Spirit Worship
The famous Kola performances of Tulu Nadu involve dancers who invite powerful, sacred spirits to possess them. Through the performers, and surrounded by vibrant colours and striking visuals, these spirits - known as Daiva - may settle disputes, provide guidance, grant blessings and pass judgement. However, there is so much more to it than art and devotion. From Panjurli, the benevolent boar spirit to Bobbarya, guardian of the sea, this book explores it all: the kinds of Daiva, their stories, their individual natures and the ways in which they come to inhabit the devout. In Daiva, bestselling author K Hari Kumar, brings you stories of powerful immortals along with details of their worship through mystifying rituals - all of which are known to leave onlookers awe-struck.
-
All Drama No Queen
Farida's parents passed away in an accident when she was twelve. And for years, she's had to fend off Reshma Phuppu, a distant relative plotting to gain control of her parents' house in Bangalore. When all the drama gets too much, she runs away to stay with her best friend, Priya. Farida deeply feels the absence of a family, and only has memories of her distant cousin, Irshad. She's had a crush on him since she was a twelve-year-old, but they lost contact when her parents died. Nearly two decades later, Priya's boyfriend, Ajay, serendipitously finds Irshad. Now, Irshad is a doctor and lives in Mumbai. Farida is thrilled to reconnect with him, but is disappointed when she learns that he's engaged to another woman. But as Irshad and Farida meet and reminisce, it becomes hard to deny their deep bond. As things get more complicated between Farida, Irshad and his fiancée, Shagufta, Farida must find a way to deal with all the drama in her life.
-
So Good They Can't Ignore You
Cal Newport's clearly-written manifesto flies in the face of conventional wisdom by suggesting that it should be a person's talent and skill - and not necessarily their passion - that determines their career path. Newport, who graduated from Dartmouth College (Phi Beta Kappa) and earned a PhD. from MIT, contends that trying to find what drives us, instead of focusing on areas in which we naturally excel, is ultimately harmful and frustrating to job seekers. The title is a direct quote from comedian Steve Martin who, when once asked why he was successful in his career, immediately replied: "Be so good they can't ignore you" and that's the main basis for Newport's book. Skill and ability trump passion. Inspired by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs' famous Stanford University commencement speech in which Jobs urges idealistic grads to chase their dreams, Newport takes issue with that advice, claiming that not only is this advice Pollyannish, but that Jobs himself never followed his own advice. From there, Newport presents compelling scientific and contemporary case study evidence that the key to one's career success is to find out what you do well, where you have built up your 'career capital,' and then to put all of your efforts into that direction.
-
Mums, Mental Health and Milestones
How does the health of the mother reflect on the child? Can the baby learn from the mother in the womb? Every time a pregnant woman or a new mom reaches out expressing her stress levels and challenges, society, family and friends mostly blame the hormones for her response. Why does it have to be stereotyped? This third book on pregnancy by the author is a holistic guide educating expecting mothers and their families about the significance of mental health, emotional nurturing and the physical well-being of mothers. The book offers a new-age perspective about tackling the often-neglected aspects of pregnancy like mood swings, anxiety and fear of childbirth, personal stress levels, work-life pressure, post-natal blues, etc. Backed up by research, real-life relatable, emotional case studies, activities, checklists and diagnosis dealt with by the author, the book is sure to make you show a lot more compassion and a new perspective towards childbirth itself.
-
Murder Under a Red Moon
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime during the blood moon eclipse to please her domineering mother-in-law, she doesn't expect to stumble upon a murder - again. With anti-British sentiments on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women's suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be a far more dangerous place than Kaveri ever imagined, and everyone's motives are suspect. Together with the Bangalore Detectives Club - a mixed bag of people including street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute and a policeman's wife - Kaveri once again sleuths in her sari and hunts for clues in her beloved 1920s Ford. But when Kaveri's life is suddenly put in danger, she realizes that she might be getting uncomfortably close to the truth. So she must now draw on her wits and find the killer -- before they find her...
-
The Asura Way
In the age of Kali, you need a new path to achieve all that you dream of. What if someone told you that those age-old lessons on which you’ve based your whole life are ineffective today? What if they also told you that you could live a better, more fulfilling life by following the path of the Asuras? Is it not worth investigating what made the Asuras so successful against even the gods and trying to learn from them in this age of strife, chaos, and discord? In his first nonfiction work, Anand Neelakantan, the national bestselling author of Asura: Tale of the Vanquished, explores a contrarian way of living that makes more sense in this Kali Yuga. With great skill and logic, Anand shatters the myths associated with the so-called six enemies of the mind—anger, passion, greed, infatuation, pride, and competitive spirit. He explains how following conventional advice holds you back from achieving success and happiness in life. Using riveting examples from mythology, he demonstrates how these same six qualities can propel you in the direction of success and help you achieve your goals.
-
Caught Up
Kai I’m a single dad and starting pitcher for Chicago’s MLB team. I’m stretched too thin, but I don’t want help raising my son. Each of his previous nannies only lasted a few weeks before I let them go. Now, my coach is putting his foot down by hiring the one person I can’t fire—his daughter. Miller Montgomery is the last woman I should fall for. Too wild, too young, and too unattached. Chicago is just a quick stop for her. I thought I’d be counting down the days until she left, but summer feels too short when I start thinking about forever. Miller As a high-end pastry chef who recently won the most prestigious award in my industry, I’m desperate to prove I deserve it. But with a new title comes new pressure, and I can’t create a fresh and inspiring dessert to save my life. With only two months to get back on track, I should be focusing in the kitchen, but instead, I let my dad talk me into using my time off to nanny for his star player’s kid. Kai Rhodes forgot how to have fun, and I’m eager to jog his memory. But when he and his son start to feel like home, I have to remind us both that my time in Chicago ends with the summer. Besides, I’ve always been a runner, and the last thing I want is to get caught.
-
The Right Move
A spicy sports romance, following Indy and Ryan... fake-fating, accidental roommates, best friend's brother, found family, and a whole lot of spice!
-
Girl in White Cotton
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2020 AND PUBLISHED IN THE UK AS BURNT SUGAR - Avni Doshi is a writer of surgical precision and sharp intelligence. This novel of mother-and-daughter resentments and the deep, intimate cuts of ancient family history gleams like a blade - both dangerous and beautiful. I loved it. - Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, LoveTaut and unsettling, a dark, ferocious novel. - Fatima Bhutto, author of The RunawaysAntara has never understood her mother Tara's decisions - walking out on her marriage to follow a guru, living on the streets like a beggar, shacking up with an unknown artist, rebelling against society's expectations . . . But when Tara starts losing her memory, Antara searches for a way to make peace with their shared past, a past that haunts them both. As she relives her childhood in Pune in the eighties, the time she spent at a Catholic boarding school in the hills of Maharashtra, and her years as a young artist in Bombay, Antara comes up against her own fears and neuroses, realizing she might not be so different from Tara after all. Girl in White Cotton is a journey into shifting memories, altering identities, and the subjective nature of truth. Tracing the fragile line between familial devotion and deception, Avni Doshi's mesmerizing first novel will surprise and unsettle you.
-
Finish What You Start
Finish What You Start is a unique deep-dive into the science of accomplishment, productivity, and getting things done. It takes a thorough look at why we are sometimes stuck, and gives detailed, step-by-step solutions we can start using today. Every phase of finishing and following through is covered, and even productivity pros will be able to learn something new. Above all else, this is a guide to understanding your brain and instincts better for optimal results. Learn proven techniques like Temptation Bundling; Understand inhibiting tactics and psychological roadblocks that are stopping you from reaching your true potential; Transform your life through productive habits and avoiding mental traps
-
The Power of Self-Discipline
Stop self-defeating behaviors and act with intention. You’ll thank yourself later. What you receive in life is dictated by your self-discipline. The more you have, the more you get. Will you settle for less than you desire? How to make willpower automatic, second nature, and habitual. The Power of Self-Discipline is not a textbook on self-discipline, nor is it a gentle and drawn-out discussion. It is a toolbox to keep you in motion and in action towards your goals. It pulls no punches as it provides direct techniques to ensure that your actions match your intentions - a difficult task. Self-discipline is not about grinding it out from morning until night. Let’s work smarter and accomplish more with less effort. Tools to get started, keep going, overcome distractions, and follow through every single time. Peter Hollins has studied psychology and peak human performance for over a dozen years and is a bestselling author. He has worked with a multitude of individuals to unlock their potential and path towards success. His writing draws on his academic, coaching, and research experience. Gain self-awareness and cultivate your determination and tenacity. Immediate action has never been so easy. Learn the main emotional, psychological, and biological obstacles you are battling; understand and break the 5-step cycle of laziness that keeps you glued to the couch, unhappier than ever; confront yourself with a series of direct questions that force self-awareness and action; an insightful formula for maximizing willpower and how to manipulate it; what your discipline style is.
-
Read People Like a Book
Speed read people, decipher body language, detect lies, and understand human nature. "Read People Like a Book" isn’t a normal book on body language or facial expressions. Yes, it includes all of those things, as well as new techniques on how to truly detect lies in your everyday life, but this book is more about understanding human psychology and nature. It reminds us that we are who we are because of our experiences and pasts, and this guides our habits and behaviors more than anything else. It helps us to: Take a look inside yourself and others; understand the subtle signals that you are sending out and increase your emotional intelligence; learn the keys to influencing and persuading others; learn how to become a “mind reader” and forge deep connections.
-
Make Friends Easily
Making new friends doesn't have to be a chore. Learn how to do it quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Networking events? Big group dinners? Karaoke parties? Please, no. Get past boring small talk and deeply connect with others. Make Friends Easily - it's a simple task, isn't it? But why is it so hard in our modern age? There are so many distractions, so why should people pay attention to you? That's your challenge and task, and this book provides the answer. You'll learn how to become a presence that people crave, how to get past shallow conversation, and how to make sure that your connections are long and lasting. It's simple, but not easy. So pick up this book to make it easier. Understand the unconscious signs that everyone is looking for in new friends. Patrick King is an internationally bestselling author and social skills coach. His writing draws of a variety of sources, from scientific research, academic experience, coaching, and real life experience. He suffered for years as a shy introvert and managed to boil human interaction down to a science - first for himself, and now for you. Become the most magnetic and welcoming person in the room. - Understand a 5-part friendship formula that you must use - Master "reciprocal curiosity" to unlock people - How to help people "think out loud" - A question framework that can work in any situation - The rule of 3 in conversations The quality of your life cannot rise above the quality of your relationships.
-
People We Love
In these tender yet piercing stories, Preeti Shenoy returns to some of her most beloved characters to reveal who they were before they appeared in her bestselling novels It's All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have. Aniket, a coder, carries the weight of a longing for Trisha that he cannot bring himself to act on. Nidhi abandons her corporate life to teach pottery, only to discover that clay is far more forgiving than the people she loves. A quiz competition sparks an unlikely romance between Aman and Shruti, one that must withstand parental disapproval and class divides. And Anjali, a journalist, is so busy chasing stories that she almost misses the one unfolding in her own life. Set against the pulse of contemporary India, People We Love explores the tug-of-war between duty and desire, family and freedom, who we are and who we dare to be. Intimate and deeply felt, these are stories about love that stays, leaves and almost slips away ... love that quietly and irrevocably shapes the people we become. For fans of Preeti Shenoy's It's All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have