India (Paperback)

~ Stanley Wolpert (Author) "India is the world's most ancient civilization, yet one of its youngest nations..." (more)
Key Phrases: New Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi, Lok Sabha (more...)

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.

From The Washington Post

"Wolpert understands India. . . . Fluent, wide-ranging and often wise, this volume is a useful addition to a shelf of books on India." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #689,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 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 (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.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully well-written and insightful..., August 14, 2008

By	John Robinson "john" (Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am reading this book now and will update this review as necessary. The author is an excellent writer and clearly cares very much about India and the Indian people. Thus far, this book has encouraged my interest in this subject and I look forward to finishing the book. Excellent.

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent book., June 24, 2003

By	Maliah :) (Wonderful USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: India, Updated Edition (Paperback)

This books presents an unique way of looking at India as a whole. It does include biases, but the piece is not drenched in such informations. The Aryans DID come into India from Central Asia, despite what these other [people] who state otherwise. There is a strong amount of evidence. I suggest Hinduism books by David R. Kinsley and Indian Historical books by John Keay. They are highly UNBIASED.