Manish Tully: Book Review

  Pachinko:  by Min Jin Lee After quite a break from blogging, I decided to restart with my review of books that I have read in recent past.  Pachinko was the most recent book that I have read, and before picking up my next one, I just could not restrain myself from writing a bit about this 'masterpiece'.  I was astounded by the comment from Barack Obama on the cover of this book and it reads: “ a powerful story about resilience and compassion” and this really made me pick this book. All these words stand true to the core qua the story. I read this 500 (and odd) pages book in a weeks’ time. You just cannot put it down. The storyline is weaved starting from the year 1910 (Busan, Korea) and up till 1989 (Tokyo). It orbited around a beautiful girl, a lady, a mother, a grandmother ‘Sunja’ and is all about her birth, love, struggle, separation, tears, death and survival against all odds.    A real narrative of Koreans in war-torn Japan and Korea and ...

  I am updating my blog after a long time. Don't know why I lost motivation for blogging, but somehow, today I felt like updating my blog with my review on the book which I completed few days back.  The Ride of a Lifetime, is indeed a book you find worth reading in a 'lifetime'.  Robert explained his life experiences in such a manner that you can easily find leadership lessons in every ten pages. His life mantra is just great: " Innovate or die, and there is no innovation if you operate out of fear of the new or untested' His Leadership passages across the book are so powerful, that you feel like reading it twice or thrice, and then, even jot it down in your small notebook of 'great quotes'.  One of my favourite is: ' Hold on to your awareness of yourself, even as the world tell you how important and powerful you are. The moment you start to believe it all too much, the moment you look at yourself in the mirror and see a title emblazoned on your forehea...

White Crane Lend Me Your Wings What a phenomenal account of conflict between China and Tibet! The story line is pleasingly weaved around serene Nyarong, a remote town in Tibet, with its key characters: Paul-O, Tenga, Rilo and Mingma; and of course Tibetan Monks. The narrative is very simple and without any complications. The writer has given his account of sufferings  inflicted on Tibetans, and monks of Tibet by Chinese Army, which is often referred to as trespasser in Tibet. T Y Pemba, the author, tells the story of struggle of Tibetans, while they were on their own and their rivalries amongst different clans. Story starts with plans for establishment of Christian Mission Station in Nyarong by Paul-O's parents and how they got so deep rooted in Tibet and then reared their son amongst Tibetans and their culture. The author, very meticulously drives the story onwards to clashes and cold-blooded murder by Rithangtsangs of some of the Elders of Dragotsang clan.  Soo...

The Go-Giver: by Bob Burg and John David Mann This book is indeed a masterpiece. I request the readers of this book to carefully understand the text and apply the laws.  This book is a story of a guy named Joe, an ambitious young man who always wanted to make big, but was facing lot to impediments, and then he met the “Chairman” his Mentor, who changed his way of thinking and Joes' life changed for ever. Few quotable lines from the book: “Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment"-this is the Law of Value: ”  “The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving” Everyone must read this book. It contains certain important principles of business, friendship, and relationship. I must say this is one 10/10 book. Must read.  Cheers, Manish

A Hermit in the Himalayas: by Paul Brunton Yesterday, I concluded reading this book. Paul in this book is simply describing his experience of staying in Himalayan region of Tehri and other nearby places. Through this book author is trying to explain you yogi’s principle of staying alone in the state of meditation, rejuvenating oneself and then go back to the world and face it with all new strength and vigour. He is also trying to explain the that one in his lifetime need some time to explore oneself and talk to the inner soul and nature and seek guidance.  The author, takes you to his Himalayan journey in simple manner and explains you what majestic Himalayas can offer you. There are certain important teachings in the book, my favourite being:  “ Nature is the mother of every man aspiring towards truth, peace, and happiness, yes, and will help him….but the child which wants to stay for ever in the safety of its mother’s lap will never become a real adult- P...

Women Against War: Personal Account of Forty Japanese Women This book is compiled by the Women’s Division of Soka Gakkai, Japan. This is a compilation of personal account of sufferings of forty women of Japan who witnessed blood bath of the World War II. These women came out to share their personal account of horrors of war, and wish this never ever happen again. After reading these forty stories, I now really know what “war” means and what it delivers….  We all must have read about war/military conflicts in newspapers or books but never ever have had a chance to read or listen personal account of people who had to face it day and night.   All these forty stories will definitely bring tears and a feeling of sadness. These are only forty selected stories of sufferings, but I am sure that there are so many similar stories around the world that never get reported or reach our ears.  I am sure lot many souls must be dying to share their stories of suffe...

The Paying Guests-by Sarah Waters This book is a work of fiction set up in the backdrop of year 1922. This is a beautifully written novel, and each character playing their role with all sincerity. Sarah has done justice to every character, except to the character of Len. Sarah could have written some more mischievousness by Len and his ogling towards Frances…. this would have added bit of spice in storyline.   This is the story of life of widows, their hand-to-mouth situation after the war, their unwed daughters….. and then lesbianism, murder, trial and gallows.  Key characters, Frances and Lillian did justice to their respective roles in the novel. An engaging story line, but bit too lengthy….. its 564 pages to be exact. But I loved reading this one.  Give it a try.  I, simply as a novice reader, would like to rate at seven out of ten.  Manish Tully

Legs on Everest, By Mark Inglis WOW, what a true account by Mark and his summit to Everest. It was really nice to read this book, when Indian Television was broadcasting a serial called “Everest” (now concluded) and a movie on “Everest” just got released yesterday in India. I tried to knit the storyline of this book with the said televised serial and movie on Everest to understand the challenges faced by mountaineers and sherpas. I bow to brave sherpas, who have lost their precious life while helping mountaineers to summit Everest.  This is a true story of an extraordinary man on an extraordinary mission. A double amputee who dared to climb THE EVEREST.  This is his first hand account of his struggle, from the start till summit.  People suffering from any disability and who think that they cannot do anything better in life now and are sulking in their grief, I suggest you must read this book. I am not saying that by reading this book, you will get th...

One Life is not Enough by K Natwar Singh Natwar Singh, a bureaucrat for 30 years under Congress reign, and then politician with Congress Party of India, wrote about his experiences in Indian bureaucracy and Indian political arena in this book.  This is his autobiography, a typical style, to make oneself immortal in their own belief.  This book, before its release, saw itself in a political tussle with Congress Party esp. due to first hand account by Natwar Singh on work and politics, during the period he worked with Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. Indian newspapers carried stories of conflict which brewed between Natwar Singh and Gandhi Family over certain facts and accounts mentioned in his book. The book is okay for readers who are really interested in Indian Politics and what goes behind PMO and other ministries. How high level decisions are taken by the politicians and bureaucrats.  I personally found this book interesting. Nothi...

The Rozabal Line By Ashwin Sanghi One liner of this novel…… a must read.  It is a theological thriller which will for sure grips its reader and no one would like to put it down. One want to read this novel in a day or two.  Beautifully carved storyline and its really wonderful to read as to how Ashwin linked Hindu theology with christianity and buddhism.  The story revolves around a tomb called Rozabal in Jammu and Kashmir which has some connection with Jerusalem and the riddle which got solved in holy shrine of Mata Vaisho Devi, in Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir.  I rate this as 10/10. A must read. Manish

Gaddafi’s Harem By Annick Cojean This book will, for sure, is going to bring tears in your eyes. The book is horrific account of life of a little school girl Soraya, who was one of the latest addition to Gaddafi Harem. She suffered endless torture, rape and abuse by Gaddafi and his militia.  Annick in this book bring to fore the disturbing suffering of females of Libya during reign of Gaddafi.  Even after elimination of Gaddafi, things are not under control, or rather it has become more worse. Today, Syria has collapsed and refugees are fleeing to Europe looking for greener pastures and to have a decent re-start to their life. All this, I personally feel, started by west and developed nations who created these militia's for their own political motives against other developed nations, and now see what we all are getting as a ‘Return Gift’.  I do not know, where we all are heading to, but I do not see bright and peaceful survival for our generations ...

The Leader Who Had No title: Robin Sharma Another masterpiece by Robin Sharma. At the outset, I would like everyone from the corporate sector to read this book. A fresher, a junior, a senior,  boss and the management must read this book. I am sure this will change managements’ outlook towards its employees and vice versa. The lessons are quite simple but too dynamic and powerful.  Few pointer from this master piece: For the management: “ What will happen to the symphony if even one of its player was out of tune and less than superb at his art” For the employees: “ A restaurant is the only place I know of where you eat good stuff first and then pay the price. In work and in life in general, you need to pay the price of the success before you get all the rewards due to you.” For everyone: “Critics generally criticise you only because at some level they care about you. When they stop saying anything, its because you no longer matter to th...

The Deliberate Sinner: Bhaavna Arora The name is enough to describe that this book must have something to do with physical and emotional needs of a woman. The storyline is quite simple and straightforward.. Rihana falling in love with Veer initially and married him at the time when she was in a confused state of mind about her love for Veer.  The book captures strained relationship between Rihana and Veer. A typical ‘Ekta Kapoors’ type of story. I am sure, if she reads it, she can easily make 100 episode daily soap from this one.  An average book. Simple day-to-day  story of every fifth household in India. Manish Tully

Soft Eclipse: By Jayabrato Chatterjee This is a story superficial and disturbing lifestyles of Kolkata high class. There is a story of a girl, Mohini, her birth, her childhood, adolescent, three day love affair, marriage, betrayal, mechanical sex life, NGO’s, ladies chit chat, children and finally a widow. What else you expect in a life of so called rich and influential Kolkata’s elite and high class society. This story line is pretty fast. But somehow… I felt that there are too many characters in the story… It appears that the author is trying to capture every second person he comes across. Too many people….. too many narrative about their life.  A light read.  Few lines by The Beatles stated in the book are quite interesting:    “W hen I get older loosing my hair Many years from now Will you still be sending me a Valentine Birthday greetings, a bottle of wine? If  I’d been out till quarter to three Would you lock the doo...

Burial and Sea: By Khushwant Singh ohhhhh… another short soft porn & erotic book by Mr. Singh…. There is  a story of Victor Jai Bhagwan, his daughter Bharati and sexual encounters of Victor with a Tantric god god woman…. Durgeshwari Devi.    A short book .. only 146 pages and you all need an hour to complete this one.  The story is quite simple… love, friendship, work, hate and revenge… and of course….. typical of Mr. Singh… some sessions on sex education, which to certain extent also include some copulation postures… which Durgeshwari Devi taught Victor…..while the Tiger stands guard. Interesting read about all of them and a tiger belonging to the tantric god woman… I read at internet that this book is somewhat inspired from the life of Nehru. I am not sure about the statement… but still you can enjoy this book.  Good one. Manish Tully

Lolita: by Vladimir Nabokov First edition of this book was out somewhere around 1955. This book is till considered as taboo in certain countries…. but i do not understand why…. more-so when internet is flooded with porn, and adult movies.  I understand that this book is still considered as one of the best read in the Reading Fraternity.  The book revolved around Lolita and a literature professor Humbert Humbert: a sexual obsession of the professor for Dolores Haze. The professor remained obsessed with nymphets. This book … can be categorised as ‘erotic reading’…. definitely in 1950—-1960…., do not compare it with cheap erotic books and stories published by few new writers in the town… it was and will always remain a classic.  A good read. My rating is 7/10. Manish Tully

Mritunjaya- story of Karna and Mahabharata: By Shivaji Sawant This book was first published in the year 1974. Majority of Indians, in their childhood, must have either read or heard stories of Mahabharata. Often, our elders tell story about Mahabharata, as it is explained from the perspective of either Lord Krishna or as envisaged by, so called follower of truth and righteous, the Pandavas. Shivaji Sawant, wrote this upanyas about Mahabharata as seen and experienced by Karna… the Danveer Karna…. the son of the Surya Dev (Sun God). I was initially planning to buy an English version of this book…….. but somehow ended up with a Hindi version….. I was bit anxious about my decision; but I must say, I indeed made a right decision. I must say, if you know how to read Hindi (no professional knowledge of Hindi is necessary), please buy a Hindi version only. Few words are quite typical to understand, but given the background you can easily understand the context and meani...

BARED TO YOU: SYLVIA DAY I read this book while getting my physiotherapy sessions. Quite seductive. This book can easily be described through a flow chart: Girl—boy—hate—love—forced ‘attempted’ sex—sex—sex—hate—sex—sex—Ex—hate—sex—sex—sex. Thats it.  Quite interesting time pass. Good but comprehensible storyline. Wait for a Hollywood movie based on this novel.  If you want a kick in your sex life, go ahead  and read this book. Anyways, I enjoyed it. 

THE PROPHET: KAHLIL GIBRAN A masterpiece. A treasury of lessons. I bought this book from a second hand book store at Rs. 50 - less than a dollar, but the teachings are priceless. Be patient while you read this book. You may not be able to understand the teaching in the beginning; but as you progress, you just cannot put it down. A small book, won’t take more that an hour to complete. A teaching about ‘your work’: “ work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work for joy.”  Read this masterpiece. 

THE SHACK: WHERE TRAGEDY CONFRONTS ETERNITY BY WM PAUL YOUNG A must read. This work of fiction encapsulate Q&A session between a hapless father who lost her young daughter and DADDY (the God). The story line is quite interesting; Mack’s youngest daughter has been abducted and believed to be murdered by some psychopath in the SHACK. Four years later, Mack receives a mysterious letter directing him to vista the SHACK once again and the said invite was signed a fem “Daddy”…. i.e. The God. What happens at the Shack is quite interesting.  I am not a story teller; but I must say, you guys will not regret reading this book till the end. Irrespective of your religious believes, just read this book and you will get some great lessons of life and for the life.  A quick lesson of life: “ If you and I are friends, there is an expectancy that exists within our relationship. When we see each other or are apart, there is expectancy of being together, of la...