5 comments about The Jesus Mystery.

1. The author does an excellent job in discussing the "Lost Years" in the life of Jesus, which include the years 12-30, and are not discussed in the New Testament (the Bible makes reference to Jesus only as a youth, and then as an adult). The Book discusses why Jesus, as a youth, left his home to migrate eastward to learn about the Vedic teachings which were present in India, Nepal and Tibet, and then later spread those teachings which he learned there to the West. Although this book may present an extreme controversy for an Occidental, the Author truly conveys her deep love and respect for Lord Jesus Christ. After reading this book, one should go back and read the Sermon on the Mount, and then you can truly see the uniformity (rather than the separation) between Chistianity and Hinduism.



2. I felt the book dealt with the issue of the teenage and early adult years of Jesus in a very realistic fashion. It was both eye opening and informative. I also noticed that the author, Janet Bock, had a video on the same subject, but I have been unable to locate a copy of it. If any readers could direct me to a site where I could purchase or see a copy I would appreciate it. Sincerely, Jim Handlin



3. Anyone with an open mind will find the author's exploration of the early years of Jesus'life fascinating. This is a must read for Christians and seekers of all faiths.



4. I thought it would be a rich study...But the authors are not at all specialists in the subject...They are not very scientific in their approach and present their findings in a very diffuse, not well organised manner..very amateurish style all way through....There are so many books on the same subject, with a more professional format and presentation....
   EX.
   Search for the historical Jesus by Fida Hassnain
   Jesus lived in India by Kersten
   Jesus in Heaven on Earth by Khwaja Nazir Ahmad
   Jesus in Kashmir, the lost Tomb by Suzanne Olsson
   
   
   Believe me, don't waste your money in buying this one...There are more complete studies like those I suggested here...
   The authors went to India to collect information on Jesus' presence there, but they do not seem to be aware that the tomb of Jesus as well is in Kashmir. They do not touch at all on a possible post-crucifixion life of Jesus in India....Everything they find themselves is already included in the books of the other major researchers like Hassnain and Olsson or Kersten.



5. Supports my understanding of Jesus early years, affiliation of his teachings, his attire to Hinduism and Buddhism. His resurrection notion propagated by the christian church for power and political gain. His last days in Kashmir aftter surving his crucifixion. Author basically retells what Nicholas Notovich wrote in his book.

3 comments about Baksheesh and Brahman: Asian Journals - India (Campbell, Joseph, Works.).

1. Before I read Baksheesh and Bramhan, all I knew of Campbell was that he was an author of formidable intellect and also engaging wit (if the print version of Moyers series is to be believed)with a deep understanding of Oriental faiths. Campbells' account of his encounter with the land of these faiths - India - is at once insightful of the man and India in the 1950s. Confronted by the actual India - ancient, prudish, theieving, an emerging nation seeking a semblance of pride, low on self esteem, spiritual - Campbell is all at once the fastidous Westerner at odds with a culture he has admired from afar, charmed by its exoticism and occasionally getting bang on and incisively the actual reality of India. This book is an easy read and essential for anyone who has ever admired Campbell's work. Also a must read for anyone who wants to hold up a mirror to the new Indian nation and how far and how less that nation has travelled in the 50 odd years since. Campbelll's acerbism on fellow American travellers make for marvelous diversions.

   One small observation and this must stem from being an Indian - that India is a hospitable nation is clear from this book. I am sure a lot of Indians would attribute it to Campbell being white, but there is something in here of hearts and houses being thrown open to a stranger.




2. Before I read Baksheesh and Bramhan, all I knew of Campbell was that he was an author of formidable intellect and also engaging wit (if the print version of Moyers series is to be believed)with a deep understanding of Oriental faiths. Campbells' account of his encounter with the land of these faiths - India - is at once insightful of the man and India in the 1950s. Confronted by the actual India - ancient, prudish, theieving, an emerging nation seeking a semblance of pride, low on self esteem, spiritual - Campbell is all at once the fastidous Westerner at odds with a culture he has admired from afar, charmed by its exoticism and occasionally getting bang on and incisively the actual reality of India. This book is an easy read and essential for anyone who has ever admired Campbell's work. Also a must read for anyone who wants to hold up a mirror to the new Indian nation and how far and how less that nation has travelled in the 50 odd years since. Campbelll's acerbism on fellow American travellers make for marvelous diversions.

   One small observation and this must stem from being an Indian - that India is a hospitable nation is clear from this book. I am sure a lot of Indians would attribute it to Campbell being white, but there is something in here of hearts and houses being thrown open to a stranger.




3. This book comprises Joseph Campbell's private journals during his first visit to India. Before Campbell set off for India, he had already established a worldwide reputation in the field of Indian mythology through translating the works of Heinrich Zimmer. In 1954, he was awarded a fellowship to travel and conduct research in India for future publications on Indian mythology. In this book, which was not written for publication, but intended to be solely Campbell's private record of his journey, Campbell is confronted with the realities of India for the first time, and he is shaken to the core by how different India is from what he had been led to expect.
   
   Campbell's stay in India lasted approximately 6 months, during which time he traveled extensively throughout the country. He started off the journey in the company of Swami Nikhilananda and several female devotees. Together with this troop, Campbell visited various Ramakrishna Missions and temples. Before long, however, he began to lose interest in this party, as he observed that the Ramakrishna Missions seemed to play a much smaller role in Indian society than he had ever imagined. He began to travel independently, visiting temples and talking to people he met along the way (mainly intellectuals, who were able to discuss philosophy in English). He also struggled to book a dance tour for his wife, Jean Erdman, a well-known artist of modern dance.
   
   For the first three months of his journey, Campbell is so affected by culture shock that he is practically incapacitated. Although he had traveled widely in Europe, from the descriptions in these journals, he had no experience traveling in the Third World. He had a most un-adventurous palate, so he ate European food where it was available, and then complained mightily about its quality. His attitudes towards hotels and service were inflexible, and he seemed to lack the sense of humor and ability to let things slide that are essential for dealing with a culture that is completely alien to one's own. He is strongly patriotic and greatly dismayed by Indian criticisms of his own country.
   
   The extent of his ignorance concerning Indian art is illuminated by his reactions to Indian dance. At the first Indian dance recital he attended, he was outraged by the fact that only he and another Westerner found the performance at all interesting. But instead of trying to understand why the Indians in the audience were not impressed, he was simply outraged that they didn't react the way he did. At the next recital that he attended, he noted that the Indian members of the audience seemed to have a separate set of values for judging the performance than his own. As he became more familiar with the classical dance forms by attending a few lectures, he gradually began to develop an appreciation for the art. When his wife arrived and began her Western modern dance tour, he seemed to expect Indians to approach this foreign dance form in the same way that New Yorkers or Parisians might, forgetting or being entirely ignorant of the role of dance in Indian society and the different set of aesthetic values associated with dance.
   
   Nonetheless, the notes presented here are fascinating because in them, we can see Campbell coming to terms with Indian culture. Whereas before this trip, he imagined India as drawn for him by Krishnamurti, Nikhilananda, and Zimmer, he finally begins to build his own understanding of the culture during this journey. This understanding is colored not only by his visits to temples and conversations with philosophers, but also by the mundane struggles to book his wife's dance tour.

2 comments about The East India Company: Trade and Conquest from 1600.

1. This book is deserving than more than just 5 stars.

   As a historian myself, the biggest problem in expressing yourself is making "old" topics informative and interesting to modern generations. Antony Wild has succeeded beyond any scale of recognition in his book The East India Company: Trade and Conquest from 1600.

   This book, which details the English East India Company's history will appeal to anyone with an interest in British, Indian, Asian, American, military, nautical, or commerical history-- it is that wide-ranging. This book is also a must-read for anyone interested or concerned over the so-called modern phenomenon of "globalization." After reading Wild's account, one can see that globalization has been around for nearly four hundred years, if not longer.

   The English East India Company, acting under a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I, sought entry into the Spice Trade in Asia. Soon, however, it found itself involved with Indian piece trade and trade from the Middle East and Arabia. Its trade interests in India eventually led to de facto conquest and colonization on that subcontinent-- all with the tacit support of the crown. The company reached into China and even North America-- it was East India Company tea that got dumped into Boston Harbor during the Tea Party.

   The company exported and imported goods, laid the foundations for three important Indian cities, fought land wars and naval battles with other European merchant powers or local natives, and brought a host of new products and new words into the consciousness of the English-speaking world.

   India proved to be the company's lasting legacy, and not always a positive one. However Wild provides a well-balanced account that does not paint the company as either completely ethical traders or imperialistic devils. No matter one's opinion, India proved to the company's (and Britain's) largest asset and also the cause for the company's eventual dissolution.

   The book is well-illustrated and is an easy but very informative read. I would rank this amongst the top 10 books I have read in the last 5 years.




2. This lavishly illustrated volume gives an excellent view of the East India Company - the experiences of the British in India, the spices and goods of interest to the West, and the history of the company over the centuries.

1 comments about On a Shoestring to Coorg: A Travel Memoir of India.

1. I had this author recommended to me by a friend who knew of my interest in other cultures, so I found this book in a local library and started reading. I find it to be amazing, especially for a journal of her travel experiences. She uses language which gives the book almost a flavor of fiction (I find that many nonfiction authors use very simple and often dry language, making such books harder to read). Occasionally she seems to have the perspective of a stereotypical European, but in general she manages to have a neutral viewpoint and tries to explain Indian customs from the point of view of Indians, as well as her reactions and those of her five year old daughter.

   As far as I'm concerned, one of the best parts of this book is the way that it describes various parts of India in amazing detail, as well as giving some background on the area. Unlike many tourists, Murphy is not content merely to wander around seeing usual sites; instead, she tries to get to out-of-the-way places, and to experience life as much like an Indian as she can (while acknowledging that this can never be fully accomplished). This is perhaps one of the best "outsider" descriptions that I have read, as she really makes and effort to understand her new surroundings.

3 comments about India's Unending Journey: Finding Balance in a Time of Change.

1. Most Indians and Indophiles are familiar with Mark Tully, who worked for long out of Delhi as BBC's correspondent. In the process, he fell in love with the country, and ended up settling down in India permanently.
   
   This book is a kind of personal journey for him. The narrative is rather tentative, and covers a lot of ground. He weaves back and forth between UK and India, and offers quite a few valuable insights about religion, politics and culture of the two countries. UK is not treated independently, but more as a kind of foil to India. The book's 11 chapters are placed in various towns that he visited, which also serve as a kind of cultural emblem for what he is going to talk about in a particular chapter.
   
   He also shares a lot of personal details, his trials, tribulations, anecdotes and triumphs. Being a journalist with a highly respected Channel, he had access to almost everyone in India. It goes without saying that his narrative is very sympathetic to Indian culture and the 'Indian way of dong things'. However, it is also reasonably balanced, so that it does not become a gushing, sentimental kind of nonsense about how great everything about India is.
   
   Some of his comments are quite perceptive - for instance, about how India always tries to find a balance between extremes, a middle (middling?) way of doing things. He believes this is one of India's keys to longevity as a civilization.
   
   Well, he is certainly right that this search for a balance, of avoiding the extremes, is almost an unwritten, unbreakable law in India. My late father often used to say 'ati sarvatha varjayet' - excess is to be avoided always / everywhere. And this philosophy gradually worked its way into my conscience, so that now the extreme option is always automatically renounced in favor of the moderate one.
   
   In fact, in India, the term 'extremist' is often used as a political pejorative and is more popular than fundamentalist or terrorist, though it includes both these categories as well. Similarly, 'atyachar' which literally means 'extreme behaviour' is used to signify inhuman behaviour.
   
   This is a book you can soak into. However, it will not make a conscious, discernible impact on you. The book is too wispy for that, too much like a mild fragrance, one of those extremely expensive perfumes, which only leave behind a tantalizing suggestion. I read it only last month, and already I have forgotten what were the key points that Tully made. Perhaps he didn't make any at all. May be he made many. He doesn't try to convince you or sell you his viewpoint - he merely shares his views. And that does really mean that he has become more Indian than many of us (see for example, Amartya Sen's The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity).
   
   The hardcover edition issued by Rider (Random House group) has been printed and bound in India. The book is fairly easy to carry, and easier to read, because of good paper and printing. Of course, Tully's light, conversational style adds to the ease of reading.
   
   All in all, an enjoyable, readable book - much more perceptive and interesting than his previous India in Slow Motion (India in Slow Motion), which was more task-oriented.



2. This is an excellent book by Mark Tully and represents the net result of a lifetime of reporting in the subcontinent. The author does a very fine job of contrasting the fundamental differences between the Indian and the western tradition. Being a Britisher born and having spent most of his life in India, Mr.Tully is the perfect person to write about East vs West. He touches all aspects of human life and culture in a succinct manner giving the reader a wonderful perspective on the Indian way. Though a little simplistic at times, I came out with a better appreciation for the role of tradition and uncertainty after reading this book as well as a fresh view point about Indian civilization. Right in the foot steps of 'The Argumentative Indian' by Amartya Sen, I think this book is a very fine contribution of to the ongoing debate about the idea of India.



3. what i like about this book firstly, is that its not an intellectual exercise of analyzing tons of theses, etc., but shaped by personal experiences in india over many years, meeting people from different walks of life from all over india. to me, a book about india should be grounded in its earth and in humility, because the real india is several things at once and full of apparent contradictions - for me, thats a key differentiator between this book and say, amartya sen's Arg.Ind essays/diatribes thats twice as long, but i fell asleep after the first few pages.
   
   i dont agree with some of tully's ideas, but i used to firmly disagree with some of those ideas before i read this book; now i know, i cant be "sure for sure". thats why this book is so important. it humbly asks for balance and the need to avoid extremes, be in far-left pseudo-secularism, or far-right fundamentalism. these ideas are valid not just for india, but for the entire world.

No comments about Sand-Buried Ruins of Khotan: Personal narrative of a journey of archaeological and geographical exploration in Chinese Turkestan.

2 comments about The Treasures and Pleasures of India: Best of the Best (Impact Guides).

1. Rarely does one discover a guidebook that delivers exactly what it promises. This is the perfect reference for the discriminating traveler who enjoys quality, wishes to discover the best shopping sites and wants just enough sightseeing to satisfy their cultural requirements. Traveling with a group of people this book soon became singled out as the preeminent guide for our purposes. The authors descriptions are very accurate and in keeping with my own experiences. Upon my return I can now reread the book and relive my travels.



2. Do you want to bring back a trunk or two full of Silver (real), rubies, pashminas, hand painted bone china and live like the maharanas in the Palaces? Well then this is the book for you. Its simple, but I would never have known to go to these stores and find such treasures without this guide. Who would have thought we would see a silver covered canopy bed for $3000! Its obvious that expensive hotels are nice, but not so obvious where to get good deals on products. You feel like an "expert buyer." I only wish they had more info on "what makes rubies or silver" real or valuable as without this book it seems so easy to fall into fakes (esp Thailand). Instead of half of the book being about haggling, if there were details on good books to read up on about: carpets, jewelry, silver, whatever can be bought in that country, this series would be much better than what it is. Obviously, you can never get a good deal unless you know about what you are buying but it could also be a primer on luxurious things for the armchair traveller.

3 comments about Humanitas.

1. HUMANITAS does what few books of any kind, photography or otherwise, can do. It combines art of the highest quality with humanitarian spirit of the most generous kind. The photographs of Asian people as they go about their lives, selling water, herding camels to market, are stunning works of art, and at the same time they illuminate the deepest corners of those lives, both the quiet corners that don't often have witnesses, like prayer, and the more public, demonstrative ones--marketplaces or classrooms. They capture the essence of these moments with brilliance. They also draw the viewer to look closely at the subjects and their doings, to get to know them better, to see beneath the surface, whether they are shadows and silhouettes in a landscape, or hands in a courtyard circle or a woman with a kettle against an intensely blue wall. There is an all-seeing and all-comprehending eye behind the photos, aesthetically, anthropologically, and in all ways human. The title, HUMANITAS, expresses the spirit of the book.
   
   Fredric Roberts uses color and composition consciously and exquisitely, fashioning his shots with visual and sensuous artistry, to create dazzling portraits and tableaus. Yellow saris and green eyes seem different from any we have seen before. The silhouette photos of people against a natural backdrop--a sunset or bridge--are like shadow puppets, as if an Asian shadow play has come alive.
   The photographs are windows on the world, on some of its more exotic locales, on beauty in dailiness--a tailor with his measuring tape, a shoemaker shaping a red shoe. We may not stop to see these moments, to notice that they are the world's most arresting and meaningful offerings. Fredric Roberts does this in his gorgeous, deep and wise book, in the spirit of art and of giving.



2. I bought Fred's stunning photograph collection - Humanitas over 3 months ago and placed it on my desk at the office for myself and others to enjoy. This has been good and bad - good because i love to share and discuss these breathtaking photographs with everyone, but bad because everyone wants my copy for themselves. I am definitely stocking up on Humantas for Christmas. This book will inspire you to travel and connect with the world for yourself. I highly recommend this to anyone who is curious about people around the world.



3. Bought this book with high expectations but was disappointed. Most of the work is technically well-executed. But the subject matter is common to a seasoned traveler and the compositions are obvious. You will be impressed only if you have not seen or done much travel photography. Not worth forty bucks but consider buying a used copy.

5 comments about The Light Within: A Travel Log of India.

1. Pick up Mr. Anderson's book and find a compelling travelogue through India and all-too-human emotional terrain. The writing is fluid and graceful and you will find yourself immersed in the journey of this soul. You will find a wide variety of experience on display, from the haunts of modern London to the very heart of Calcutta and beyond.
   
   Well worth a read!



2. Joseph Anderson's "The Light Within" may be the first book written as
   a blog. Undertaking a pilgrimage to India (to study with yoga
   masters) after his father's death, Anderson promised his mother to
   keep in touch with daily blogs. It's evident that the blog was
   written not only to his recently widowed mother, but to himself as he
   recites his daily activities in England, Paris, and, most
   importantly, India. The account goes far beyond a travelogue: it is
   part diary, part meditation, part exultation, moves from description
   to interpretation to philosophy, even to poetry! Anderson's language
   is fluid and often lyrical, even at its most spontaeous. The
   narrative is most alive when he gets beyond the touristy days in
   England and France and arrives in India; he spares nothing in his
   deeply sensory-and deeply moral-account of this land which offers
   both splendid beauty and utter degradation. The fact that he has now
   begun a foundation to rescue children of Calcutta from poverty,
   ignorance, filth, and disease demonstrates the powerful impact this
   experience had on him, one that will be shared by sensitive readers.



3. Joseph Anderson has the unique ability to bring the reader through a vivid and heart-wrenching experience of life in India. He takes the reader to places few tourists would venture, and he describes the challenges he encounters --from extreme poverty to personal discovery -- with a deep understanding of human emotion and a personal connection to our sense of sight, sound and smell. If you want to experience what life is truly like in India, through the eyes of someone who connects deeply with humanity, read this book!



4. In December 2004, the author left his home in North Carolina to study
   yoga in India. Anderson found enlightenment in the land of Gandhi and
   Mother Teresa, but not in the way he expected. The moment he stepped
   foot in India, his lessons began. To quote the author directly:
   
   "India asks existential questions, and demands immediate
   reply. How can you square what you see here with your omnipotent,
   benevolent God? You can't. What will you make of your life? What
   purpose do your many pleasures serve when millions suffer unrelenting
   pain?"
   
   Anderson's odyssey begins in Delhi and proceeds through several
   cities, including Calcutta. Calcutta, especially, left an impression
   on his body, mind, and spirit. Five-star hotels co-exist there with
   squalor beyond American comprehension. Caustic pollution burned his
   eyes and seared his lungs as he walked the streets of Calcutta.
   Emaciated street children fought with feral dogs over scraps of
   rotting food on mountains of trash. People with leprosy, birth
   defects, and infections begged from every street and gutter. And yet,
   despite living in such unspeakable conditions, the sweet spirit and
   inner light of the people shone clearly through their eyes and smiles.
   
   Yes, walking the slums of Calcutta enlightened the healthy, successful
   American lawyer and writer. After days of experiencing the sounds,
   scents, sights of horrible human suffering, and toxic air, Anderson
   was too sick to stand, too emotionally drained to weep. He returned
   home determined to do all one man could to offset the suffering he saw
   in Calcutta.
   
   The Light Within is beautifully written; Anderson shares his
   experiences powerfully with readers. He speaks not only for himself
   but all humanity - the armless and legless, the perfect and healthy.
   Along with writing this book, Anderson established the Calcutta
   Children's Permanent Fund, an endowment providing medical and
   nutritional support to the street children of Calcutta.



5. After returning from a tour of India, I decided I needed to learn more about this country. Mr. Anderson's book is a true look into this country. This book digs deep into the sights, smells, sounds and feel of India. A very easy read and a great travel log. I hope Mr Anderson continues to write.

No comments about Journal of a West-India Proprietor, Kept during a Residence in the Island of Jamaica.