Nichola Marie gives you a glance at what the latest book releases bring…
Why Bharat Matters
Author: S Jaishankar
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Price: ₹695
India’s External Affairs Minister and a member of the Rajya Sabha – S Jaishankar argues that while rising powers seek stability, India must plan to rise amidst serious unpredictability. This process is also exceptional as it represents the rejuvenation of a civilizational state. Simultaneously, he also explains why foreign policy in a globalised world matters increasingly to all citizens in their daily lives. Entering the Amrit Kaal, it visualises an era of growth and development while staying true to its traditions and heritage.
Silk and Steel: A Novel
Author: Stephen Alter
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Price: ₹499
Author of more than 20 books of fiction and non-fiction, Stephen Alter brings the tale of James Webley — a brave but erratic English commander — who has joined forces with the romantic Colonel Augustine, son of an Englishwoman and a noble Indian. Together they have rejected the rigours of mercenary service to pursue a lawless career of pillage, amidst the opulence and brutality of nineteenth-century India.
Of Indian Carpets and Carpetwallahs: An Appreciation
Author: Jon Westborg
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Price: ₹999
Indian-born Norwegian diplomat Jon Westborg tells the stories of Indian carpets by delving into the histories of an assortment of unique carpets — that of delicate Kashmiri carpets, a Herati-inspired carpet made in Amritsar, and even one made in Rampur jail. The book melds history, memory and aesthetics beautifully to create a complete and detailed picture of the Indian carpet-making tradition.
Love Jihad and Other Fictions: Simple Facts to Counter Viral Falsehoods
Authors: Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi, and Supriya Sharma
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Price: ₹599
With conspiracy theories such as love jihad, Muslim appeasement, and forced conversions driving everyday conversations in India, journalists-authors Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi, and Supriya Sharma interrogate theories that are part of the landscape of WhatsApp chats and social media feeds of millions of Indians every day. Through a clear-eyed and scrupulously argued and researched approach, the book is an indispensable antidote to the dangerous viral falsehoods.
Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers
Author: Sharmistha Mukherjee
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Price: ₹595
In ‘Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers’, Sharmistha Mukherjee offers a fascinating glimpse into the illustrious life of Pranab Mukherjee, the 13th President of India, who served as India’s external affairs, defence, finance and commerce minister at different times; as well as leader of both houses of Parliament. A scholar par excellence, powerful orator and one of India’s most towering statesmen, at home he was also the history teacher who narrated events in the spirit of adda at dinner time; and the devoutly religious man who never imposed his faith on his daughter. Through her father’s diary entries, personal stories and her own research, Mukherjee uncovers hitherto unknown facets of Pranab’s political life. A sweeping, multigenerational narrative, it is refreshingly original as it is exquisitely rendered.
The Sattvik Kitchen: The Art and Science of Healthy Living
Author: Dr Hansaji Yogendra
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Price: ₹595
Internationally renowned yoga and wellness guru Dr Hansaji Yogendra of The Yoga Institute reveals the transformative potential of food. This includes not just the food itself but also the timing, quantity, manner of consumption and the seasonal considerations. With easy, wholesome and mouth-watering sattvik recipes, she emphasises on how mindful eating combined with knowledge about the right food can maximise your immediate and long-term health.
The Girl in the Magical Flute: Stories from Myths and Folk Tales of India
Author: Meena Arora Nayak
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Price: ₹599
Imaginatively retold by Meena Arora Nayak and beautifully illustrated by Priya Kuriyan, ‘The Girl in the Magical Flute: Stories from Myths and Folk Tales of India’ gives classic folk tales and lore from India (and beyond) a contemporary flavour. Sourced from classical religious texts such as the Ramayana, the Quran, and the Bible, and from oral traditions across India, including those of the Ho, Munda, and Khasi tribes, the 19 stories included in this collection will delight children of every age, persuasion, and sensibility.
