The World is Flat

Book Review : The world is Flat

The amazing 539-page novel on Globalization and its impact is an eye-opener. More precisely it is a book which made me look out of the box. The box here is the borders of countries. I realized, after reading it, that the borders between countries are indeed dissolving and the world is becoming a leveled playing field for everyone.
The book started in India and ended over in India itself. It has descriptions about how the dot com boom and bust impacted the world, how the world changed over the years and how the Third world countries are brought to more or less at the same level by the influence of technology. The book has descriptions about the change in markets and Global position(as nations) of India and China. It encapsulates all the changes brought about by the globalization which is termed as "Flattening of the World " by the author. The book not only lists the positive aspects of globalization but the negative as well and hence I'd say that authors view about globalization is not biased.
The book is full of anecdotes and has phrases and monologues by many entrepreneurs and billionaires which makes the book quite inspirational as well.
The worst part about the book is that it is addressed to the Americans. All the "we" and "us" and "our country" is for the Americans which irritates me because when you are writing a book on "Flattening of the world" then it should be addressed to everyone and not to a particular audience. So I as a reader felt neglected.
Since the book was written before the Sub-prime crisis and the arab world and euro zone crisis hence the reader might find that the present scenario is not the same as described in the book. Things have changed a lot since when the book was written.
Being an IT Professional in India I could connect to every word in the book & felt that the book was written about me(although it was addressed to the Americans only). I'd recommend this book to everyone as it has the potential to be a life-transforming book and you can not afford to not read it.
Rating : 8.5/10

Book Review: The Godfather

The Godfather - Mario Puzo

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 446
The Godfather is my first Mario Puzo novel and perhaps his most popular one. I was particularly curious about this book because of its title and I knew it’s based on Mafia families and Mafia wars. The 446 page long novel is partitioned into 9 sub-parts or ‘books’ (as the author calls it) and further it has 32 chapters in all; each chapter dealing with a different era of life of the protagonist: Don Corleone. The story is dated on the days following II World War and location is NY City. Don Corloene is a just and a very clever character. He is revered and respected formidably by each and everyone around him and I dare not write a wrong word about him as it might upset his followers.
The story revolves around the life of Don however enough importance is given to all other characters as well. Other characters includes Don’s three sons, a daughter, his wife and many other people whom Don has done some favor during his life.
The story falls light on the hierarchical structure of an Italian Mafioso Family. Don heads the family tree followed by his councilor or consigliori and two captains called copregimes. It also tells about the code-of-conduct among the Families.
The story has been written in third person and hence each event, as it happens, is seen from a different person’s perspective and hence the story never seems monotonous. However the narration, as compared to other contemporaries is not up to the mark. Also there are too many names (of characters) stated in the story, so I had to turn back pages at times to recall the character. The author had, at times, digressed too much.
On the positive part, the author has done plausibly well to keep all the characters involved in main story. The language is simple and story is very interesting.
Rating: 7.6/10

Book Review: The Time Machine

The Time Machine – H.G. Wells
Genre: Science-fiction
Pages: 148
The story is about a time traveler who has travelled through the future and now he shares his experience about the journey. He has worked up a time machine which he uses to visit future – to the year eight hundred and two thousand seven hundred and one A.D. (I don’t quite understand which year the author is talking about).
The author has put forth his imagination of the world of future in a beautiful way. He talks about two different breeds of people who will survive in future : The Morlocks – Undergrounders and The Eloi – Upper-worlders.
The language is simple and comprehensible. But at points the narration is not picturesque. The starting and ending is very strong and impressive. Author has kept me interested and involved in the story. But I think the narration could have been better. The genre is Science-fiction but there is not much of it. You should read the book if the world of future fascinates you a bit.
Rating: 6.5/10

Book Reveiw: The Monk who sold his Ferarri

The Monk who sold his Ferrari – Robin S. Sharma
Genre: Fiction (Motivational)
Pages: 208
The monk who sold his Ferrari is a motivational fiction novel through which the author has tried to shed light on the secret of eternal happiness.
This was my first novel of its kind and also the first one by the author. Before reading this one, I had a prejudice that these kinds of books (motivational ones) are just a waste of time. I mean who doesn’t know what to do and what not to do. These are for people who are not clear with their aims and thoughts. But after going through it my opinion was changed. The book has an ocean of practical knowledge and I think everyone should read such books once in a while.
The book is on the story of two lawyers: Julian and his sub-ordinate cum friend John. Julian is a very successful lawyer and possesses everything one could ever dream of. John reveres Julian and wants to be like him. But Julian is not happy or rather satisfied with his life. He has a heart-attack which changes the course of his life. He decides to go to India in search of spiritual enlightenment and true happiness. It’s now that his life takes a u-turn and becomes more beautiful. The transition from a corporate stooge to a monk is what the story is all about.
Overall there is not much of a story line in the novel. It’s just the motivational part that is emphasized upon. So if you are looking for a good and light story it’s not quite the book for you. Language is always direct but at one point the author has shifted from narration in first person to third person and back to first person which is bizarre.
I’d like to recommend it to people willing to read their first motivational novel. (I haven’t read any other motivational novel and that is why I think so).
Rating: 7/10

Book Reveiw: The Kite Runner : Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner – Khaled Hossieni
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 206
The novel is mostly about how the lives of the people of Afghanistan had changed during the latter half of twentieth century. The story revolves around the life of a boy Amir who narrates the story. He was born to an effluent Pastun(Sunni) family in Kabul. He had a love deprived childhood and had only one friend Hassan who was a Hazara(Shi’a). Communities in Afghanistan are divided along the lines of classes in which the Sunni’s are considered as masters and Shi’a as slaves.
As the story moves on, the condition in Afghanistan also changes, first due to the atrocities of the Russians and later due to the brutalities of Taliban and Mujaheedin. On the other hand life of Amir also takes turbulent turns. So I’d say it’s not just about Afghans and Talibs but there is a lot more in it. The story is full of emotional content.
The narration has been done very patiently and elaborately (which at times get boring). The story takes a few unpredictable twists which makes it all the more interesting. But I’d say that the ending was not up to the mark. The author has made abundant use of Farsi phrases followed by an explanation for each one of it. Overall the story is amazing but the language was slightly dull.
Rating: 7.2/10

Book Review - Joker in the pack

Joker in the pack
(Ritesh Sharma
Neeraj Pahlajani)
The two authors from IIM-B and IIM-L gave a deep and dramatic view of the life at the IIMs. They tell a story about a boy Shekhar, who was born in a middle-classed household and had high aims and aspirations just like any other boy. He had a childhood like any of us like playing gully cricket, ogling at girls etc. But at some point in time he realizes that he is not born to live a life like his parents in scarcity and this is when he starts to work hard to get to the IIMs.
The book gives, in all the glorious details, the full review of the life at the IIMs. If you are an IIM aspirant (like me) then this could be a very inspirational book.  Overall, the book is short, sweet and smooth.
Rating 6/10
Genre: Fiction
Publication: Orient Paprebacks
Price: 195/-
Pages: 195

Book Review - Sultry Days

Sultry Days 
(Shobha De')
Nisha, a college student, falls in love with Deb (or God as everyone calls him), who is crude, ragged and somewhat a cynic. She falls for exactly what others think detestable about him. He also quite likes her. But their love story is sporadic as it is interfered by a lot of unavoidable circumstances as their life progresses and finally comes to an end as one of the two dies.
Deb was born as a slumdog but as he grew up, he learned to live by himself. He struggled his way through the life by writing poems, working as a freelance reporter, working for a politician.
In this book Shobha has described a number of personality types living in Bombay which includes women who are rich, women who are very rich and women who are even richer, corporate bitches, whores etc. But at some points in the book I found that the author digressed from the theme which spoiled the fun of reading. In all, the book is full of masala.
Rating 7/10   

Book Review - Speedpost

Speedpost
(Shobha De')
Shobha De' apart from being one of the best Indian writer, is also the mother of 6 children. This book comprises of her letters written to her children as they grow up. The book is a compilation of 35 letters written by her to her kids on subjects like love, smoking, relationships, religion and a lot more. It contains plausible messages about morals, values and emotions. But none of these were of my interest. So I would say the book is either meant for kids in their early teens or their mothers. If you are into reading emotional stuff then may be you can try your hands on it.
Rating 6.2/10

Book Review 10- Not a penny more not a penny less

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Not a penny more not a penny less
(Jeffery Archer)
Harvey Metcalfe is a shrewd person who wants to become rich at the expence of others. He has so far succeeded in his evil pursuits, but no longer will, this time, as he comes across four easy preys : An art dealer, A doctor, An oxford don and a heir to an earldom. Harvey manages to fleece off with their money. But these people won't part their money easily and are working their ass-off to get back their hard earned money back.
The 335 page novel is interesting but it did not stand up to my expectations. It lacked spice like the other works of Jeffery. It was far from the "larger-than-life" theories and description of his other works.
Rating: 6/10

Book Review 9 - The Prodigal Daughter

The Prodigal Daughter
(Jeffrey Archer)
The prodigal daughter is the story of a girl Florentyna Rosnovski, who is the daughter of a Polish immigrant Abel Rosnovski. The author has described the indefatigable will and enthusiasm of her to live to her ultimate dream i.e. to become the President of the United States. In the first half of the book the author has described the journey of the girl as she grows into a woman who is self-confident, self-assured and self-sufficient. This part is particularly interesting, but as soon as I read through the second half of the story I was deeply disappointed as I found out that it contains nothing but the political struggle of Florentyna to reach the highest office of the U.S., which is not what I would be interested in. The last 200 pages of the 464 paged novel contains detailed description of the U.S. political system which is not what I expected. The book is quite or more of an inspirational one and you could give it a try. The language is simple and comprehensible.
Rating: 7/10

Book Review 8- A romance with chaos

A romance with chaos
(Nishant Kaushik)
The naive writer has somewhat succeded in bringing out the same theme of romance and chaos in a slightly different way as this time its not a student but a professional who falls in love. A MBA Nakul is an employee at an leading IT company and is quite satisfied with his job unlike his accomplice Vishal who keeps sulking. But his frustration ends as he is offered to represent his company for a project at London. This leaves Nakul frustrated as he is not granted this opportunity and this is where the chaos starts. He starts to hate his boss all the more, thinks of quitting his job, looks for a new job, is screwed with a paradoxically orthodox roommate, loses his beautiful girlfriend because she thinks he is not rich enough, falls in love again and soon discovers she's a lesbian and is finally betrayed by his best friend Vishal.
However the chaos is settled as he gets his acts together.
The 291 page book has its own scintillating moments and is palatable if you are looking for some light reading stuff. Book is full of anti-climax and shocking moments as well.
Rating: 7/10

Book Review 7- Paths of glory

Paths of Glory
(Jeffrey Archer)
This was the first time I read a book authored by Archer and I would surely like too read a lot more of him.
This story is very encouraging one in which a man persues his dream after undergoing through much troubles. George Mollary who's the son of a preist Reverand Mollary of the church in an English village. His father discovers soon that this child is different from his other siblings. He has a great appetite and aptitude for mountain climbing. His inclination to climbing is encouraged by his teachers and parents which leads him to become the climbing leader for the first ever mission to conquer the apex of the world: Mt. Everest (Chomalungama hill). But this is only after he proves his skills and ability by conquering various peaks and steep mountains like Mt. Blanc. The first mission however had to be aborted due to a disaster and George decides not to embark again on such a mission in which he has to leave behind his wife Ruth and daughter. But he has to move out again, this time to serve his country as a soldier during second world war. After returning from the war for which his wife waited for what seemed like a lifetime he finally decides not leaving his family again. It was only then, when his friends and wife persued him to fulfill the dream of his life: to reach Chomalungama. He sets off again to his final mission with his team. This time he din't come back losing but is victorious as he becomes the first man to climb the formidable hill. But ................

You feel victorious as you come to the end of the story.
Rating: 7.5/10

Book Review 6 - The White Tiger

The White Tiger
(Arvind Adiga)
The book is actually a one way conversation between the author and an Chinese high-ranked official, in which the author tells him about the secrets to become an entrepreneur in India. Author has also described to him that there exists two India : The darkness and The light.  
Its based upon the story of a boy form Laxmangarh(a small village) or Darkness as the author says. Balram Halwai the son of a rickshaw-puller is from a small village, is different from the rest of his brothers as he has great aspirations. He starts of washing cups and cleaning tables at a tea shop but his desire to change his destiny takes him to Dhanbad. He learns driving and gets a job as a driver by a rich family there. After working honestly and faithfully for his master (Mr Ashok) he is taken along with them to Delhi. This is where he understands the true world.He starts getting cunning and knave. He begins to cheat his naive master. Finally, one fine day, he kills his master and runs-off with his money. The servant now becomes the master. He goes to Banglore and starts off with his entrepreneurship.

The 321 pages of the novel are raw and bold at its display about the realities and truths of life. The rusticity of the language adds to the fun of reading.
Rating: 8.2/10

Book Review 5 - The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray
(Oscar Wilde)
AN ARTIST Basil Hallward makes a picture of Dorian Gray who is in fact a very youthful and innocent person.
But this picture has a secret, that is for you to discover.
Dorian is an innocent person and hasn't seen much of life till he meets one of the friends of the artist(Basil) Lord Henry, and this man with his radical theories changes the outlook of Dorian towards life. The theories given by him are bizarre but if one ponders upon them, one might find it to be truthful and interesting. It might also affect your outlook.
The book itself is very impressive indeed.
Rating: 8/10

Book Review 4 - Crisis

Crisis 
(Robin Cook)
The book is based upon a doctor who gets sued for a medical malpractice. Dr Craig Bowman is rather a dedicated Physician who is sued by one of his hypochondriac-patient's husband. Craig had devoted his whole life for his patients, abandoning his family which consisted of a wife and three daughters. But when he finds that a malpractice suit has been filed against him he is shocked to say the least. He feel embarrassed and helpless. He goes through the worst few days of his life and the daily summons at the court further adds to his distress. Finally his wife and brother-in-law(Dr. Jack Stapleton) comes to his aid to discover through an autopsy that it was not a malpractice but a homicide case.
The author is thoroughly descriptive about each and every event which makes the story draggy at times. If you like to have variety in your book-shelf then this book ought to be there.
Rating: 6.5/10

Book Review 3 - Love Story

Love Story
(Erich Segal)
The story revolves around lives of two people i.e. Oliver Berett IV and Jennifer Cavelleri. Oliver is a hockey player from Harwards and the son of Oliver Berett III who indeed is a very rich banker, while Jennifer is a Radcliffe college student and the daughter of a baker(Phil) not as rich as O.L. III.
Both of them fell deeply in love but their love story doesn't lasts long as the latter is consumed by Leukemia.
It(the book) also contrasts the difference with which the two treat their fathers. Oliver doesn't likes his pompous and nagging father while Jenny's father is her best companion and a very friendly creature.
As you come to the end of the book you are left with a feeling of nostalgia in your heart.
The short novel (hardly a four hour affair) is full of wit and oxymoron's are also in abundance.
The writing style of Erich is simple and expressions are surplus. However if you are into reading soft romantic books then this is quite the book for you.
Rating 6.8/10 

Book Review 2 - Anything for you ma'am

Anything for you ma'am
(Tushar Raheja)

The book is about an IITian's lovestory
and the troubles he had to face to attain
his love. The way he glides across the
difficulties, which were many in number.

Tushar has described each event in a
coherent, discreet and chronological
manner with witty humuor attached to
it. Infact the book is full of scintillating
humorous events and you surely will
enjoy your reading.
Rating: 8/10

Book Review - A thousand splendid suns

A thousand splendid suns 

(Khaled Hosseini)

A thousand splendid suns is a heart touching story about two girls from Afganistan.The first girl (Marium)grew up in the far rural region of Afganistan and was tagged as a harami (bastard) whereas the other was brought up in Kabul (Laila). They had dreams and aspirations to accomplish in their future, but both end up marrying an orthodox and fanatic man from Kabul (Rasheed). Their dreams shattered as he kept them secluded from the world. Their life become full of hostilities and miseries flung at them by their husband. They both consoled each other in their hard times. Finally their bad times come to an end as the childhood love of Laila finds and rescues her from the brutalities of Rasheed, but Marium had to sacrifice her life for their good.

Khaled Hosseini has presented a vivid description of the political conditions in Afganistan from 1960 to 2001. The warlords, Taliban's regulatory conducts, U.S. and Soviets' interference, the sufferings of the common people.

Overall the style of writing is descriptively narrative.
Rating: 7/10