India: Third EditionWith a New Preface [Paperback]

Stanley Wolpert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0520246969 | ISBN-13: 978-0520246966 | Edition: 3

The history of India is the engrossing story of an ancient civilization, reborn as a modern nation. More a continent than a single nation, India is home to over one-fifth of humanity, yet it remains a mystery to most non-Indians, barely appreciated and poorly understood. Stanley Wolpert's third edition of India provides a much-needed, concise overview of Indian history and culture. His new preface brings the book up to date, discussing the most recent national elections, the economic effects of the new globalization, and the consequences of joining the nuclear arms race.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

If one were to read a single book about India in a lifetime, this should be it. India is a grand, sweeping synthesis of Indian civilization embracing its geography, religions, history, and arts and sciences. Using the Ganges River as a thematic symbol for India's timeless civilization, Wolpert threads his way from the Indus Valley to British rule, through the interplay of Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh faiths, to the governments of Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Although academics may quibble over his harsh evaluation of the British Raj or his uncritical treatment of Indira Gandhi's Emergency, Wolpert demonstrates a grasp of those eternal paradoxes of Indian civilization: hunger amongst plenty, gentleness amidst violence, and stability within change. Wolpert's sympathetic and sensitive account of the ancient Sanskrit classics and Indian music, painting, and sculpture embraces the mystery and imagination of a life unknown in the West. Representative of a lifetime of learning, this ranks at the top of its genre for its vision, knowledge, and superb prose. History Book Club selection.
- John F. Riddick, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"To all of us who delightedly and sometimes repetitively call ourselves Old India hands, Stanley Wolpert is the acknowledged authority. This book tells why. Indian history, art, culture, and contemporary politics are here in accurate, wide-ranging, and lucid prose."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 3 edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520246969
• ISBN-13: 978-0520246966
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,357,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good introduction, June 29, 2002

By 

Neel Aroon "jaroon7648" (Lexington, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: India, Updated Edition: With a new preface (Paperback)

having been to India before, Wolpert's book helped to give me a better prospective of the country. Wolpert gives information into the important aspects of the country like the environment, early history, religion and philosophy, society, arts/sciences, and polity/foreign policy. The book is easy to read and gives good information into aspects of india like the caste system, foreign policy after independence (its 5-year plans, Kashmir...) and India under British rule.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My friends in India are confirming much of what I am learning, January 20, 2010

By 

J. Klun - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: India, Updated Edition: With a new preface (Paperback)

I am reading this book avidly as I have both personal and professional reasons to care about India. So do you. So far it has been very good... I am learning a lot and am having much of what I learned confirmed by Indian friends. The author has a real affection for India but is not blinded by it. And... it reads well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It takes a true expert to write a short book about India, February 23, 2011

By 

Pawel Stefanski (Falls Church, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: India: Fourth Edition (Paperback)

A very good, comprehensive yet short (less than 240 pages) and readable overview to all the major topics: geography, history, philosophy and religion, society, arts and sciences, and policy. Worth reading to get started on this immense and diverse country.