3.5 Stars. The author offers an in-depth analysis of 18th-century Udaipur Court paintings in Rajputana, examining their artistic, historical, economic3.5 Stars. The author offers an in-depth analysis of 18th-century Udaipur Court paintings in Rajputana, examining their artistic, historical, economic, and narrative significance. The book delves into the emotional depth of the works, exploring the various styles across the genre and tracing their evolution under diverse external influences, ranging from Jain monks to British residents in the royal courts. The depiction of painting styles and the subtle dynamics of the Durbar (royal court) is particularly engaging.
Two standout insights from the book include the fascinating exchange of knowledge between British and Indian artisans in painting techniques and cartography, which helped create more accurate maps as they traveled the region together. Another intriguing aspect is the composition and performance of Ghazals by Jain monks—written in Rekhta/Khari Boli, a blend of Hindi and Urdu—dedicated to cities and patrons. Overall, it's a nice exploration of the evolution and beauty of miniature paintings....more
The Guerrilla Girls is political art collective made up of anonymous individuals that makes art to show discrimination against women artists (and agaiThe Guerrilla Girls is political art collective made up of anonymous individuals that makes art to show discrimination against women artists (and against women of colour). The artwork on their posters and placard is biting, satirical and illuminating at the same time. They used art, statistics and other methods to force museums, art collectors, galleries and more of cultural institutions to take action against the status quo.
It was interesting to see that this movement had also made it to the Kochi Bienniale in 2018 (The Bienniale did well in representation with more than 50% of the artists being female). Some of the art was really illuminating such as the protest placard with the caption "Guerrilla Girls demand a return to traditional values on abortion. Even the catholic Church forbid abortion in 1869" from a protest in 1992 (seems like we have come full circle in 2024 US elections). A hard hitting and excellent read....more
The book takes a holistic view of the different aspects of climate change - What causes it, How individuals, companies and governments are reacting toThe book takes a holistic view of the different aspects of climate change - What causes it, How individuals, companies and governments are reacting to it and what all of them can do and are doing about it. The book takes complex concepts and distills them in easy to read language without dumbing them down. The science, the politics and the environmental impact of Climate change is covered very well....more
The book crucial conversations has some interesting concepts to have difficult (or crucial as the author keep emphasizing through the book) conversatiThe book crucial conversations has some interesting concepts to have difficult (or crucial as the author keep emphasizing through the book) conversations laced with emotion or difficult topics. Finding common ground, stepping back from the brink when emotions heat up, being respectful of others, fight or flight and other such techniques. While the book is useful, I felt it could a whole lot shorter as it get quite verbose and repetitive. This could have been a longish blog post. Also many insights were just common sense to anyone who has worked in the real world (unless you have been a complete recluse). A very middling read....more
This is the second memoir of Ruskin bond that I have read. The first one is Lone fox Dancing Review . Like the earlier memoirs this books contains hiThis is the second memoir of Ruskin bond that I have read. The first one is Lone fox Dancing Review . Like the earlier memoirs this books contains his personal experiences from his life organized on certain themes. Why there are some stories that read from the earlier book (such as the his days at granny home and Mrs Keller), there are few more new anecdotes and vignettes of people such as Sir Edmund who were left behind from the days of the Raj (or those who chose to stay on in Independent India due to various personal circumstances). The book contains many photographs from his life which adds context and colour to the autobiographical text.
Ruskin bond's writing is as mellifluous full of witticisms and mischievous observations such as those below: In parts of India it is said to be lucky if a wall lizard falls on you the luck varying according to the part of your anatomy on which it lands I had no such luck. The lizard fell occasionally on my bed or on the floor and I was quite happy to be spared its reptilian blessings.
Well, I had just peeled my egg and was busy buttering my toast when I realized that I wasn't alone at the dining table. A glassy black jungle crow was sitting near the salt cellar watching me with beady eyes. And before I could say good morning, he seized my peeled egg and flew off through the open window. Now I have known crows to steal eggs (usually the eggs of other birds) but this was the first time I had seen one make of with a breakfast egg. It was already boiled and peeled. If it had waited a moment longer he would have had it with salt and pepper.
One misty morning, I encountered a group of tourists from the Punjab berating their guide for bringing them to Landour's summit where all they could see was a local cemetery. The cemetery does have the best view. Unfortunately the inhabitants are not in the best position to appreciate it.
The most powerful of men strut across their domains as though they are gods or favorites of the Gods, and then they vanish like fallen leaves. At least the dead leaves serve a purpose - they enrich the soil. Mankind pollutes it.
I hope I have piqued your interest in the book to read it....more
A nice collection of woodblock prints from the 17th to 20th centuries interspersed with haiku poems. The book traces the history and evolution of woodA nice collection of woodblock prints from the 17th to 20th centuries interspersed with haiku poems. The book traces the history and evolution of woodblock printing (ukiyo-e) with short descriptions about the artists and their lives from the earliest blockprints to the modern age. Each Ukiyo-e painting is accompanied by a Haiku poems. There are 68 prints by 28 different artists in the books. A good short introduction to Ukiyo-e....more
A short and sweet book (which could be even shorter) on the design, history and evolution of the ubiquitous shipping container. It is also a short hisA short and sweet book (which could be even shorter) on the design, history and evolution of the ubiquitous shipping container. It is also a short history of consumer, globalization and shipping logistics. There is some useful and interesting information in this book but it could have benefited with more drawings about container design and photos of containers used in architecture....more
This is a lovely and warm book. Ruskin Bond writes in his legendary witty and playful voice, bringing a constant smile to my face and intermittent lauThis is a lovely and warm book. Ruskin Bond writes in his legendary witty and playful voice, bringing a constant smile to my face and intermittent laughter as I read this delightful book. It is both irreverent and self-effacing, with a touch of sadness reflecting his lonely days in boarding school following his parents' separation. The book talks about his broken relationship with his mother and stepfather and his family and the myriad range of people that met him during his life - some short- lived and many life long friends. At different times the book has funny incidents in his playful style and at others an deep undertow of melancholy, solitude and loneliness.
Bond's love of writing and nature shines through on every page. It must have taken a lot of courage for him to bare his soul so openly. In the last part of the book, he reflects on some of his mistakes in handling relationships. Despite these personal challenges, he has been entertaining readers for more than half a century, achieving fame later in life. Towards the end of the book, he expresses how he sees himself as Indian and feels deeply contented with the love and appreciation his readers have shown him. This is a heart felt biography of a writer I deeply admire....more
The book is a comprehensive history of Silicon Valley from its humble beginnings as a military outpost (among many other similar cities) to the technoThe book is a comprehensive history of Silicon Valley from its humble beginnings as a military outpost (among many other similar cities) to the technology, political and economic juggernaut that it is today. The book is vast in its scope and while I have read a lot of books on the companies in the valley, the early history was still new to me. The biggest takeaway for me was the intertwining of govt and private enterprise and politics from the starting stages of the valley. We tend to think of that as a recent phenomenon (though the lobbying part came later thanks to SV's disdain for govt).
Silicon Valley was built upon layers and layers of expertise from the phoenix of killed companies in various booms and busts, each wave of technology making the power, reach and impact of silicon valley on the world stronger. But also underlying is the underdog status of the valley - an almost insecure strain that runs through it as can be seen from the quote from the book - "Silicon Valley, a self-important place with a chip on its shoulder about whether outsiders could ever properly recognize its greatness". So this schizophrenia can be seen through the book.
The first half of the book was excellent but the second half dragged and became repetitive possibly also because the same was covered by many other recent books and also the trade press. Overall 3.5 stars feels right.
Merged review:
The book is a comprehensive history of Silicon Valley from its humble beginnings as a military outpost (among many other similar cities) to the technology, political and economic juggernaut that it is today. The book is vast in its scope and while I have read a lot of books on the companies in the valley, the early history was still new to me. The biggest takeaway for me was the intertwining of govt and private enterprise and politics from the starting stages of the valley. We tend to think of that as a recent phenomenon (though the lobbying part came later thanks to SV's disdain for govt).
Silicon Valley was built upon layers and layers of expertise from the phoenix of killed companies in various booms and busts, each wave of technology making the power, reach and impact of silicon valley on the world stronger. But also underlying is the underdog status of the valley - an almost insecure strain that runs through it as can be seen from the quote from the book - "Silicon Valley, a self-important place with a chip on its shoulder about whether outsiders could ever properly recognize its greatness". So this schizophrenia can be seen through the book.
The first half of the book was excellent but the second half dragged and became repetitive possibly also because the same was covered by many other recent books and also the trade press. Overall 3.5 stars feels right....more
Traveling with kids can be challenging for both parents and children, but it also offers a wonderful opportunity to create lifelong bonds, share experTraveling with kids can be challenging for both parents and children, but it also offers a wonderful opportunity to create lifelong bonds, share experiences, and teach valuable life lessons. This book is a collection of various travel stories, ranging from trekking and sailing holidays to wildlife encounters and adventures off the beaten path. The stories are a mixed bag, featuring some enlightening narratives, hilarious anecdotes, and a few life-threatening situations. I really enjoyed this quote from the book
"While we adults are totting up our experience in a trophy cabinet of anecdotes and selfies, children simply absorb theirs and move on. Meanwhile its sediment filters slowly down, becoming the bedrock of who they will be."...more
Esther Duflo - A Nobel Prize winning economist wrote this book for children to describe her prize-winning work. The adult version of this book is callEsther Duflo - A Nobel Prize winning economist wrote this book for children to describe her prize-winning work. The adult version of this book is called Poor Economics. The book is a collection of short illustrated stories on the life of the poor, how they live and how their lives can be improved using small interventions. These are based on research conducted using controlled experiments to check their efficacy. However the stories are written simple easily understandable language. The illustrations by Cheyenne Oliver are beautifully drawn and colored in bright colors. The stories are a followed by a short essay which explains the context of the story and the experiment. The book is worth reading for both adults and kids....more
This is an eclectic memoir. Thomas Dolby is both a legitimate pop star and a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, making this a fun and engaging read. The booThis is an eclectic memoir. Thomas Dolby is both a legitimate pop star and a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, making this a fun and engaging read. The book is divided into two parts, each focusing on different phases of his career and life.
The first part delves into how he stumbled into a music career despite growing up in a family of academics. He began by playing for other bands and running audio systems before branching out on his own. Dolby played with some famous names, including David Bowie and Michael Jackson. Interestingly, I initially picked up the book thinking it was a biography of Ray Dolby (of Dolby Noise Reduction fame). In fact, Thomas Dolby was sued by Ray Dolby over the use of his name, and the book includes a disclaimer about this right at the start.
Thomas Dolby comes across as both creative and a tinkerer. He rewired and rigged different instruments to create quirky music. He composed several hits with record companies but soon became disillusioned with their unethical business practices. This led him to move to Hollywood, where he started a company almost by accident. The second half of the book deals with this phase of his life. His entrepreneurial spirit and tinkering nature are evident in the roller-coaster ride of his startup, Beatnik, which introduced polyphonic ringtones on Nokia mobile phones and later on most mobiles. It's a typical Silicon Valley story of the late 2000s boom and bust.
The final few chapters of the book discuss how Dolby slowed down and reconnected with his creative side. Through his eyes, we also see how the music industry has dramatically changed over the last 30 years. This memoir is a fascinating read due to its intersection of two industries, offering insights from an insider in two radically transformed industries from the 90s to the present. Thomas Dolby was at the heart of these changes, and this is his amazing story....more
Code Talkers is the memoir of Chester Nez one of the original 29 "Code Talkers" who designed a unbroken WWII code based on their Native American NavajCode Talkers is the memoir of Chester Nez one of the original 29 "Code Talkers" who designed a unbroken WWII code based on their Native American Navajo Language. Their work was classified and the code was one of the reasons why America defeated Japan in the Pacific war theater. This book is heartfelt and highlights the different aspects of the Native American experience. The book contains the complete code in the appendix section.
The book can roughly be divided into three parts. The first part deals with the childhood and teenage years of the author Chester Nez growing up in the checkerboard area just outside the Navajo reservation with his siblings. There after he notes his struggles in boarding school and his challenges of assimilating in the foreign world of "The white man" with Catholic teachers teaching in English and discouraging the use of his Native Navajo language. The second part deals with his experience in the war theater of the different islands of the Pacific. He talks about the impact of the war on him (seeing people dying around him, the exhaustion and relentlessness of the war machine) and the positive impact that code talkers had on the direction of war and saving the lives of his countrymen. The last third of the book talk about the post war fatigue and PTSD issues he has as well as coming back and feeling discriminated in civilian life as a Native American. He speaks about his family life and the Korean war in which he is deployed gain (but luckily does not see any action). While you can see that author is trying o be optimistic about his life and grateful for the recognition and opportunities, there is an undercurrent of bitterness due to the constant discrimination that he experiences in civilian life. A very worthwhile read that gives some insight in Navajo life pre-WWII and after and one of the best human language code of WWII history. ...more
Fact is definitely stranger in fiction for this story. Quite an insane (literally) story of a serial murderer and convict Ed Gein. This story is basedFact is definitely stranger in fiction for this story. Quite an insane (literally) story of a serial murderer and convict Ed Gein. This story is based on a true crime account in Wisconsin of the early 2000s. This story also inspired a host of fiction horror stories and movies such as Psycho and Texas Chainsaw massacre. The graphic novel is meticulously researched and it delves in to the graphic details of the murders so wouldn't recommend this to the faint of heart. However the graphic details are luckily drawn out as much in the artwork as much thankfully though obviously there are allusions to the blood and gore.
The story start with the meeting and unhappy marriage of his parents. A slacking father and an overbearing mother leads to a traumatic childhood which plays out in adulthood with abusive relationship with various people. It also make Ed Gein schizophrenic and susceptible to blackout episodes. The interview process in jail is well drawn and paneled. It almost feels like seeing a movie though you are reading the dialogues. Overall an interesting read if you are a fan of true crime, history and horror genres....more
This book is an excellent memoir by Ruchir Sharma covering about 25 years of different election campaigns across the country (ending just before the 2This book is an excellent memoir by Ruchir Sharma covering about 25 years of different election campaigns across the country (ending just before the 2019 elections that brought Modi back to power for a second term). The book has aged well. It is filled with insightful anecdotes, incisive observations and lucid commentary as he takes us through the various political campaigns across the spectrum from Jayalalitha in the south to Gehlot in the north to Mamata in the east to Pawar in the West. He talks to ordinary citizens across political divides about their well-being, relationship with the government and different political leaders. What we hear is how India is constantly changing and how local issues often dominate national issues, the fallibility of welfare delivery mechanism and a dysfunctional and incompetent state.
The author has been leading a group of journalists and pollsters on these trips across 25 years. He intersperses his story with witty and enlightening observations about different personalities across the political spectrum with often behind the scenes commentary missing from TV stations or opinion columns. He has written the book with an economics and policy gaze (based on his background as a journalist) and I found his observations about different policy and policy implementations very informative. He often exposes a rarely seen side of politicians whether it is Mamata, Sonia, Sachin Pilot, MK Stalin or Narendra Modi. At the same time, he exposes the duplicity of the Indian voter who is supposed to be rational but often votes on caste affiliation or on emotive issues.
Though the book sometimes seems like of a chronicle of a dysfunctional system and a broken polity, there is also the optimism of a functional democracy which is clearly evident through the book. The only nitpick of this otherwise magnificent book is that it doesn't cover the south as much and gives the Northeast part of India a total miss. Overall an excellent, enlightening and if I may so entertaining book about Indian politics, policy, politicians, bureaucracy, elections and the mindset of Indian voters....more
This is a story about a daughter of mixed ethnicity (Korean and American) trying to connect with her mother. In the teenage years, the rebellious authThis is a story about a daughter of mixed ethnicity (Korean and American) trying to connect with her mother. In the teenage years, the rebellious author tries to disown her Korean heritage and her overbearing mother. At some point, the author discovers that her mother is sick with cancer. Then follows a long ordeal of trying to beat the odds until they lose and sadly her mother passes away. The memoir reflects on her relationship with her mother and reconnecting with her Korean heritage in her 20s.
Asian culture does revolve around family and preparing and eating food is way of bonding with other family member. However I feel that this book over does it so much so that I felt at some point I was just reading Korean recipes. I also feel that the book gives the impression that the author is self-absorbed and overindulgent in her own grief (perhaps rightly so) and it is therapeutic to her. However it does not make for good reading for the reader. Also Yes, as the book say there is a lot of crying in the book. I also feel that the book does a disservice to both her parents (especially her father) painting them as one dimensional human beings. The book could definitely have done with a better editor and a lot shorter....more
An irreverent guide to Kashmir politics in comic book form. There is a nod to different memes and historical utterances ("When a big tree fall, the eaAn irreverent guide to Kashmir politics in comic book form. There is a nod to different memes and historical utterances ("When a big tree fall, the earth shakes"). It also handles the bad policies of several successive governments (both state and centre) and the fractured polity of the region. This one is a sad story as common people suffered due to the mistakes of poor leadership. No one comes out looking good in this historical story....more
"Brave New Words" explores the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) to provide answers and frameworks, using Khanmigo as a key example. While the"Brave New Words" explores the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) to provide answers and frameworks, using Khanmigo as a key example. While the book offers practical insights, it may not present new information for those already familiar with the field and the limitations of LLMs, such as hallucinations and the probabilistic nature of their outputs. The frequent references to Khanmigo make the book feel somewhat like an advertisement, and the content could have been effectively conveyed in a one-hour talk and demo rather than an entire book.
The rapid pace of technological advancement means that parts of the book are already somewhat outdated, particularly given the emergence of new AI models with multi-modal capabilities, including voice, video, and image interactions. Despite this, the book presents several valuable ideas for improving pedagogy, tutoring, parent-child and child-teacher dynamics, and addressing mental health issues.
"Brave New Words" maintains a balanced perspective, considering both the advantages and disadvantages of technology. It effectively explains the complexities of measuring LLMs in contexts like hiring and discusses how these systems can be audited. The book is particularly valuable for its examples of how parents, students, and teachers can use technology effectively while preserving the human element. It also prompts readers to question existing biases and consider how AI can become more equitable and auditable, which is a positive takeaway....more
Burn book is a memoir written by Kara Swisher who has been reporting on the technology industry for more than 3 decades. She is best known for her repBurn book is a memoir written by Kara Swisher who has been reporting on the technology industry for more than 3 decades. She is best known for her reporting in AllThingsDigital (also a well known conference). If you have followed her reporting, you will see that the book is as pugnacious and adversarial to the tech sector. She is not shy in naming names and calling bad behavior out. The book is also personal with Kara talking about the early death of her father, her experience of being a lesbian, her near death experiences and her (heartfelt and sometime dysfunctional) relationships with the people she covered as a journalists. The book is also a personal chronicle of the valley (and tech in general) from the 90s to the present day. This book is very heartfelt and at the same time no-holds-barred scathing review of the tech world and it's shining luminaries from Jobs to Musk and everyone in between. The following paragraph stood out to me as is a great sample of writing and is reflective of the book. "" "" I came to realize that many tech titans’ warped self-righteousness fueled them more than money, power, and the growing legions of obsequious enablers on the payroll. It inevitably curdled their souls, creating an arrogance that masked what was a deep self-hatred and anger. I have never seen a more powerful and rich group of people who saw themselves as the victim so intensely. Which is why, by nature, they insisted on reframing every failure and mistake they made as an asset—even when it was a failure and, sometimes, a very damaging mistake. Of course, they loved quoting Edison’s quaint trope: “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” But this declaration leaves out a lot about who’s responsible when things go terribly awry and real people get hurt. And because of the reach and amplification of tech, that hurt scaled quickly and continues to this day.""...more
![The Beauty of All My Days: A Memoir [Hardcover] RUSKIN BOND](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532202233l/40893985._SY75_.jpg)
Loading...
