I could probably spend hours writing a review on how horrible this book is, but I really don't want to waste any more time on this book than I already have. As a warning to others, I will still at least enter some basic details on why you should not buy this book, as I am astonished by the number of good reviews.
Let me back up a minute and let you know a little bit about me to see if you think my review will have any interest. I am a Caucasian female in my late 30's from the USA who has traveled from Argentina to Sweden (where I have relatives.) My husband is from India and I have traveled there twice to various areas including Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Agra, Jamshedpur, and the Srinagar/Kashmir area. In general - various points of the upper half. Our friendship and family circle include people that live or or have lived all throughout India.
This brings me to my first and most important point: the author of this book makes the most offensive and continuous mistake of describing all Indians based on single encounters (be it from her personal experience or others.) Besides being exceedingly inaccurate (and bound to make you look like an idiot when announcing these things) it is offensive - something you REALLY WANT TO AVOID WHILE IN INDIA (and in general while traveling).
Living in Georgia (part of "The South" for those of you not familiar/outside of the USA), I can give you a semi-example: In downtown Kennesaw, GA there is a store where the owner promotes KKK material and ideology. That's right Klu Klux Klan folks. Kennesaw isn't even rural - is country suburbs. In my old neighborhood, it was not uncommon to see a confederate flag flying from a pickup truck or occasional front porch. Yet if you described this to most people outside of the South, you might be met with disbelief or surprise. And if you used it as an example to describe all Americans or the US in general, than you would rightfully be admonished or ridiculed. This is what this book does. Instead of describing the glorious diversity of the country, it tends to lump everything together, and often incorrectly.
In one paragraph the author says "...never pat someone on the head (it's considered rude), never allow your feet to touch someone (feet are considered dirty), never curl your finger in a 'come here' gesture (this is considered provocative)" which sounds so familiar to me that I know I have read it in some old travel books - which probably weren't even about India. Regardless, this information can be considered flat out wrong in many ways to context specific. For example: blessing from elders will frequently result in pats on the head. Don't even get me started on what's wrong with the feet thing.
The author gives an example of how when she and a friend where traveling, they received unwanted attention from some men. The author explains that an Indian woman finally indicated to them (they were wearing tank tops) that the men thought they were prostitutes because they showed their shoulders. The author then concluded that you shouldn't go sleeveless. WHAT. THE. HELL. First off, she doesn't give context of where she was - rural area? What part of the country? Visiting a temple? Nor does she have the sense to consider that more likely, the Indian lady may have not want to say that the tightness/low-cut across the breasts was more the issue (again, depending on where they were.) Or even letting you know - hey if your blonde or obviously American, your going to be stared at - get used to it. The sleeveless thing is such garbage that it's not even funny. While I wouldn't run around in a tank top in India, in many places sleeveless is QUITE the norm. Course there are places in India I wouldn't go sleeveless - any holy place or in more conservative areas such as Srinagar. Without explaining when and why you wouldn't wear sleeveless at particular times, the author gives information that will be thrown away as soon as the traveler enters the city and sees a ton of women in sleeveless outfits.
Which goes to my next example: she describes salwar kamez as a 3/4 quarter to full length sleeve outfit. Um, no. The suits certainly come in those styles, but given that it's wicked hot in most places in India, my salwar kamez are all sleeveless (OMG!!! How did they sell it in the stores there?!?) or short sleeved. By far I have seen more of these types of suits than long sleeve.
Additionally, there are things that really should be included that are just plain missing. Things that may range from important for women to interesting. The entire concept of Pranam is missing. This is wear you see Indians touch other Indian's feet and is not only super duper important (throughout India), but there are some rules that women should be aware of that can get fairly complicated to a newbie. From not touching certain relations feet, to not overusing it. Even the concept of Bindi is barely mentioned, though you can see it everywhere you go on Indian women (some view it as decoration while older traditions may signify deeper meaning.) Or the idea behind bangles. Why they are important to married women, but also why single girls love to wear them. And why fit is important. And why oil helps to put proper fitting ones on better. Or even why if you wear a sari/saree - why you take care your underskirt is completely covered. The list goes on and on.
After my frustrations started mounting with this book, I started skipping back and forth throughout different sections. I'd even go to the index to see information on specific topics, only to be further disappointed/offended/frustrated. My husband and Indian family looked at some of the book and were as aggravated as I was. The last draw came when the author implied that same sex hand holding may be related to being gay (totally ignoring that same sex hand holding between friends is so freaking common, that it is ridiculous to mention it in this manner and instead she should be explaining how this is often mis-interpreted by westerners.) Once again, showing her complete and utter ignorance of the culture she is "writing" about.
As some other reviewers have put it, the few things here that may be useful for women are really just common sense and are things you do when traveling to any foreign country. There were probably 3 or 4 things out of the entire book that I considered good information, but it certainly didn't counter all of the crap.
