Reviving this thread. I've been reading awesome books recently, many of which will be of great interest to DFIians. I've read around 12 books in the last 2 months, here are the reviews:
1.
The Emperor far away: a book chronicling the travels of a Brit journalist in the far reaches of China - the border regions, which are usually off-limits to most of humanity. He speaks in great detail about Tibet, Xinjiang, the 'Golden triangle' (border between Laos/Cambodia/China) and the frozen wastelands in extreme NorthEast of China (bordering North Korea). I am sure
@Ray saar will find this book a wonderful read. It gives great insight into these neglected and interior regions of China.
2.
Tales from shining and sinking India - a collection of stories chronicled by Headlines Today reporter Akash Bannerjee. He describes several news stories he has covered in his career, from Maoist insurgency to YSR's chopper crash. From Bihar floods to ISRO's Chandrayaan launch. From Anna's agitation to 26/11 attacks. It gives an inside view into all these stories, how they developed, and some little-known aspects of these stories.
@Singh
3.
A soldier's general - by JJ Singh, former COAS. Its an autobiography, which covers the general's life, starting with his early days in the Army, all the way to the Kashmir insurgency, his experience as COAS, and his post-retirement stint as governor of Arunachal Pradesh. Gives a good insight into the way the Army has changed over the years - it is shocking to learn how rudimentary and primitive things were back in the 1950s and 1960s, and pleasurable to see what a long way we have come since then.
@Ray saar may enjoy this one too, as would
@Kunal Biswas.
4.
My days in the Bangalore underworld - by Agni Sreedhar, former Don turned-writer/filmmaker. A must-read for all Bangaloreans
@nrupatunga,
@Tolaha, etc. A real inside view into the Bangalore underworld of the 1990s, covering iconic underworld figures like Kotwal Ramachandra, Muthappa Rai, the tentacles of the D-company in the Bangalore underworld, etc.
5.
Undercover North Korea - this is the fourth book I've purchased on North Korea, and each of these books is worth a read for everyone who is interested in that weird society called North Korea. This is by John Sweney, a Brit journalist who goes into North Korea and spends a great deal of time there. It is shocking that such a society can still exist today, in 2014. For those who are interested in this topic, I strongly recommend the following books too: "Nothing to Envy - ordinary lives in North Korea" and "Escape from camp 14".
6.
Unreal Elections - a rib-tickling book by the masters of satire, the Unreal Times. It gives a rib-tickling view of the 2014 elections, with concocted stories and satire, which will leave you in splits. All those who follow internet satire need to read this book.
7.
2014 - the election that changed India - by Rajdeep Sardesai. Love him or hate him, you have to buy his book. Trust me, it gives a real inside view of the elections, with all the principal players involved. Very well written.
8.
Mossad - the greatest missions of the Israeli secret service - this is a must-read for every member in DFI.
@Free Karma,
@Sambha ka Boss,
@Nicky G,
@Apollyon,
@TrueSpirit1,
@sayareakd,
@pmaitra and everyone else. These are all true stories, and one is left wishing that India would emulate them at least to a limited extent.
9.
Afghan Rumour Bazaar - the story of Afghanistan from within, recounted by an Afghan-American lady. Interesting for those who want a perspective into daily life in Afghan society.
10.
Fifty years of reporting South Asia - "foreign correspondent". This is a collection of news articles about India, as appeared in the foreign press over the decades. It starts right from independence, all the way till 2008-9. Anyone who loves India and wants to watch the progress of India from the Nehruvian era till date, through the troubled times of Punjab insurgency, famines, Kashmir insurgency, NorthEast insurgency, Babri Masjid and riots in the aftermath etc., needs to read this book. One thing that will definitely strike you when you read this book: 1991 was India's second independence day. There is no doubt about it. Anti-socialists like
@Mad Indian and
@Yusuf should not miss this. It reinforces the fact that 1991 was the most important year in India's history.
11.
Young Turks: A story of various tech entrepreneurs in India. From Justdial to Bharatmatrimony, Capillary tech, Flipkart, Snapdeal, etc. Hugely inspiring book. Recommended for all entrepreneurs and aspiring ones.
@DingDong.
12.
Headley and I: Awesome book by the redoubtable Hussain Zaidi. It tells the story from the perspective of Rahul Bhatt (son of Mahesh Bhatt) and Headley's interrogation. It presents a clear and chilling picture of the way Headley operated and planned 26/11. Must read for all terrorism watchers.
@Singh.
