3 comments about The Rough Guide History of India.

1. The small size of this book, and a chornological organisation of key events makes it a very handy reference tool to India's history, especially for last 2000 years or so. You could also carry it around and dip into it whenever you have the time.

   But you also need to be careful. The presentation is out of touch with archaelogical findings and interpretations of the last 50 years or so. For instance, it refers to Aryan invasion theory, which has been abandoned by every historian, because there is no evidence of a massacre at the sites. The extent of the Sindhu-Saraswati civilation (Indus Civilation), 2.5 million square kilometres, mapped by the ASI is not mentioned.

   It also makes some religious booboos. For instance, talking of the Shiva Linga, it tells us that Hindus worshipped a 'phallus' at Somnath. Shiva Linga actually refers to an oblong stone, which symolises Shiva, as any Hindu scriputre will tell you.

   So buy it, but read it with caution.




2. Though the Rough Guide to India maintains the Aryan Invasion theory, the rest of it is a tribute to the study of India. Being Indian means that I belong to a people who have existed, in one form or another, for over 5,000 years of known history. Though invaders and new religious have come and left their mark on my homeland, India is always India and has shown that it will change and adapt.
   
   The Rough Guide to India displays this complex history in a easy to follow format, as well as focusing on key peoples, subjects, and events. Excellent as stepping stool for further research or for learning about Indian History for the first time.



3. This book is interesting as it reviews much of Indian history and often makes factual errors and incorrect conclusions. Some of these are mentioned in the other reviews. Another example is when the author discusses the linguistic term "inflective language" referring to Sanskrit grammar. He does not understand that in this context "inflection" does not refer to change in pitch or loudness BUT rather to changes in the forms of words such as suffixes. A little research would have avoided this ridiculous error. Many other similar errors abound in this text. The format of the book is very nice however, with a chronological theme which unfortunately includes the defunct Aryan invasion theory and unproven conclusions on the so called Indus Valley civilization. The book is written from a superficial nonscholarly amalgam of facts, fiction, misunderstanding, ignorance and some nonsense. I would not recommend this book to anyone who does not have a firm knowledge of Indian history, religions, linguistics, or politics as it is easy to become misinformed. It does have a very pretty cover!

1 comments about Simple Guide to India: Customs & Etiquette (Simple Guides Customs and Etiquette).

1. It is a quick, inexpensive review of do's and don'ts in a size that is easy to pack.

1 comments about Travels in India (2 Vol Set).

1. Tavernier was noted for the beautiful way he described natural pearls. Several of his notions like "water", "orient", and "mirror" are still in common usage in the pearl world

2 comments about The Kathmadu Valley.

1. I love knocking around this book and remembering my trip to Nepal- I just wish there was a way to get the noise and smells (except the throat-burning CO fumes), too, as any experience in the Kathmandu Valley is incomplete without them! Arvidsson's photography captures all that one would like to remember about Kathmandu and its sister cities, Patan & Bhaktapur. If I had only brought more film with me in the first place!!! Luckily, there is this book for all my armchair travels back in time... The photographs themselves are sharp, introspective and capture the color of the area (of which there is a lot!) as well as providing a glimpse of the far off snowy peaks of the Himalayas which if you are lucky, on a clear day, you can see from the city- you cannot believe that the mountains are so far away because it looks as if you could just reach out and scoop the snow off one of their majestic summits.I do not know if there was one, but I would love to one day see an exhibition of these photos and be wonderfully overstimulated by the sheer sensory overload that is Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley.



2. If you have ever had the privilege of visiting Kathmandu, you will appreciate this book very much. The Kathmandu Valley is a cornucopia of sights and smells, and seemingly around every corner is a beautiful picture in one of the poorest cities on the face of the earth. For all its natural beauty though, it is the people, and the religion and festivities which make Kathmandu and the Kathmandu valley truly unique and a place which holds a special place in my heart. This is a coffee table book with stunning pictures and history of the beautiful Kathmandu Valley. Most casual travelers who visit will not get a chance to see all of the places in this book. The pictures encompass Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, and also the periphery of the valley where farming is done in the shadow of the urban chaos.
   
   What this book cannot do is expose the reader to the overwhelming sights and smells of this beautiful valley, for Kathmandu is the epitome of sensory overload.......for that you will need to purchase a ticket;-)

No comments about Adventures during a Journey Overland to India, by Way of Egypt, Syria, and the Holy Land: Volume 1.

No comments about Journal of a Tour in Asia Minor: With Comparative Remarks on the Ancient and Modern Geography of That Country.

No comments about Let's travel in India (A Let's travel book: People & places).

No comments about Lonely Planet India (Spanish Guides).

5 comments about Lonely Planet Bhutan (1st ed).

1. Lonely Planet is unbelieveable! They continually pump out the HIGHEST quality guidebooks, and they've done it again with this edition covering Bhutan. I have spent a good portion of my life researching, and hording information on Bhutan, and have found Lonely Planet's guidebook to contain everything and more that the traveller could ever want...with two exceptions. I think that the lack of the U'cen script in the language chapter is a serious mistake. Lonely Planet has the capacity to print in the U'cen script as they did so in their Tibet edition. My other qualm is with the sparse coverage of the smaller and admittedly FAR less visited dzongkhags (districts) (i.e., Daga, Samdrup Jongkhar, Pema Gatshel, Zhemgang, Tsirang, etc.). Lonely Planet, resolve these issues and your book will be the best it could be.



2. I bought this guide before my first trip to Bhutan, and it helped me immensely in planning my tour. It contains detailed information about the country--history, culture, geography, and facts for travelers. And it gives accurate information about the trekking routes and cultural tours. As is typical for Lonely Planet publications, this one is interesting and well written, and I found the information to be relevant to my trip. It is not easy to travel to Bhutan (there are many government restrictions), and this book made everything easier. I had such a successful, fun trip that I've been back several times (www.jachungtravel.com), and I still refer to this edition of the guide. It's packed with good information, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to go to Bhutan.



3. Hello!

   I'd been searching for a book on Bhutan which could provide me with a little bit of everything about the country viz. the history, geography, people and the culture. I have searched for books on Bhutan in several book stores around. It was so hard to find one in English but I think this one will do.

   May be, finally......... I have found the book I'd been looking for.




4. In anticipation of a trip to Bhutan in 2008 I was looking for a travel guide and opted to buy Lonely Planet's. I read it cover to cover and found to contain very good information, advice, tips, descriptions, recommendations, etc. I travel extensively worldwide and Bhutan will be a novel adventure. It brings back memories of my trip to Tibet in 2000. I highly recommend this guide.



5. Full of good ideas, good list of tour groups (must go on a tour) especially locally owned. Good information on what to do, costs, etc.

No comments about Sikkim.