BOOK OF THE DAY

Book overview

This remarkable memoir, and history of India after Independence, by one of India’s most distinguished public intellectuals, begins with his memories, at the age of three, of the assassination of his paternal grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi. From this poignant opening note, the book expands into numerous encounters with personalities both Indian and foreign, ‘eminent’ as well as little known, and original insights into key events and turning points of modern Indian history, many of which he was an eyewitness to as secretary to presidents R. Venkataraman and K. R. Narayanan, and as governor of West Bengal and Bihar.

The book is divided into eight sections. The first section deals with the hopes and dreams of a newly independent nation, and the tragic events of Partition following the birth of the nation. Section Two recounts notable events that ushered in democracy such as the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, the first general election (1951–52), and the formation of the Swatantra Party by C. Rajagopalachari, the last governor general of India and the author’s maternal grandfather. In Section Three, we witness, among other things, the 1962 Sino–India War that convulsed a young democracy, the deaths of India’s first president, Rajendra Prasad, in 1963, its first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1964, and second prime minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, in 1966.

Deeply engaging and insightful, and illustrated with rare archival photographs from various sources, The Undying Light: A Personal History of Independent India is a magisterial account of seminal events in the country from Independence to the present day.

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Learn how to lead with maximum impact, regardless of your position, through this masterclass distillation of John C. Maxwell's thirty years of experience teaching people how to make a significant difference in their organizations. Don't wait for that promotion! Start leading NOW. right where you are! What's the number one question leadership expert John C. Maxwell is asked while conducting his leadership conferences? "How can I implement what you teach when I'm not the top leader?" Is it possible to lead well when you're not the top dog? How about if the person you work for is a bad leader? The answer is a resounding yes! Welcome to The 360° Leader. People who desire to lead from the middle of organizations face unique challenges. And they are often held back by myths that prevent them from developing their influence. Dr. Maxwell, one of the globe's most trusted leadership mentors, debunks the myths, shows you how to overcome the challenges, and teaches you the skills you need to become a 360° leader. If you have found yourself trying to lead from the middle of the organization, as the vast majority of professionals do, then you need Maxwell's insights. You have a unique opportunity to exercise influence in all directions-up (to the boss), across (among your peers), and down (to those you lead). The good news is that your influence is greater than you know. Practice the disciplines of 360° leadership and the opportunities will be endless. for your organization, for your career, and for your life.

BOOK OF THE DAY

We Do Not Part: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Han Kang (Author), e. yaewon (Translator), & 1 more  Format: Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars    379 ratings

Editors' pickBest Literature & Fiction

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THE NEW NOVEL FROM HAN KANG, WINNER OF THE 2024 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE

“[Han Kang’s] intense poetic prose . . . confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.”—The Nobel Committee for Literature, in the citation for the Nobel Prize

“[A] masterpiece.”—The Boston Globe

“A novel that is both disquieting and entrancing.”—The Economist, “Best Books of the Year, So Far”

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Han Kang’s most revelatory book since The Vegetarian, We Do Not Part tells the story of a friendship between two women while powerfully reckoning with a hidden chapter in Korean history.

One winter morning, Kyungha receives an urgent message from her friend Inseon to visit her at a hospital in Seoul. Inseon has injured herself in an accident, and she begs Kyungha to return to Jeju Island, where she lives, to save her beloved pet—a white bird called Ama. A snowstorm hits the island when Kyungha arrives. She must reach Inseon’s house at all costs, but the icy wind and squalls slow her down as night begins to fall. She wonders if she will arrive in time to save the animal—or even survive the terrible cold that envelops her with every step. Lost in a world of snow, she doesn’t yet suspect the vertiginous plunge into the darkness that awaits her at her friend’s house.

Blurring the boundaries between dream and reality, We Do Not Part powerfully illuminates a forgotten chapter in Korean history, buried for decades—bringing to light the lost voices of the past to save them from oblivion. Both a hymn to an enduring friendship and an argument for remembering, it is the story of profound love in the face of unspeakable violence—and a celebration of life, however fragile it might be.

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Pope Francis originally intended this exceptional book to appear only after his death, but the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope have moved him to make this precious legacy available now.

“Hope vividly recreates the colorful world where the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio grew up.”—The New York Times

Hope is the first autobiography in history ever to be published by a Pope. Written over six years, this complete autobiography starts in the early years of the twentieth century, with Pope Francis’s Italian roots and his ancestors’ courageous migration to Latin America, continuing through his childhood, the enthusiasms and preoccupations of his youth, his vocation, adult life, and the whole of his papacy up to the present day.

In recounting his memories with intimate narrative force (not forgetting his own personal passions), Pope Francis deals unsparingly with some of the crucial moments of his papacy and writes candidly, fearlessly, and prophetically about some of the most important and controversial questions of our present times: war and peace (including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), migration, environmental crisis, social policy, the position of women, sexuality, technological developments, the future of the Church and of religion in general.

Hope includes a wealth of revelations, anecdotes, and illuminating thoughts. It is a thrilling and very human memoir, moving and sometimes funny, which represents the “story of a life” and, at the same time, a touching moral and spiritual testament that will fascinate readers throughout the world and will be Pope Francis’s legacy of hope for future generations.

The book is enhanced by remarkable photographs, including private and unpublished material made personally available by Pope Francis himself.

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**THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**

'Weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance...utterly irresistible' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

Perfect for fans of THE LEVIATHAN and THE SONG OF ACHILLES

A pure pleasure of a novel set in Georgian London, where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations and romance.

London, 1799. Dora Blake is an aspiring jewellery artist who lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents' famed shop of antiquities. When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, Dora is intrigued by her uncle's suspicious behaviour and enlists the help of Edward Lawrence, a young antiquarian scholar. Edward sees the ancient vase as key to unlocking his academic future. Dora sees it as a chance to restore the shop to its former glory, and to escape her nefarious uncle.

But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life, her family, and the world as she knows it. As Dora uncovers the truth she starts to realise that some mysteries are buried, and some doors are locked, for a reason.

'A gripping narrative in which secrets from the past are slowly and ingeniously revealed' Sunday Times, *Historical Fiction Book of the Month*

'A richly evocative and hugely enjoyable read, bubbling with mysteries, secrets and pleasures' Joseph O'Connor

Readers love Pandora:

'So addictive... the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance'
'Wonderfully atmospheric'

'A beautifully written piece of historical fiction'

ON READING

After reading a book one may not remember all the content of the book. But reading good books gives one ideas, knowledge, feelings, emotions, and truths that cleanse, purge and purify one's mind. It imparts to the reader a kind of spiritual transformation through which he is reborn as a new person and thus he/she is benefitted.

Courtesy: Shri Vijay Mishra, Facebook 

BOOK OF THE DAY

As a Man Thinketh is a self-help book by James Allen, published in 1903. It was described by Allen as "... [dealing] with the power of thought, and particularly with the use and application of thought to happy and beautiful issues. I have tried to make the book simple, so that all can easily grasp and follow its teaching, and put into practice the methods which it advises. It shows how, in his own thought-world, each man holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that enters into his life, and that, by working patiently and intelligently upon his thoughts, he may remake his life, and transform his circumstances. The price of the book is only one shilling, and it can be carried in the pocket." It was also described by Allen as "A book that will help you to help yourself", "A pocket companion for thoughtful people", and "A book on the power and right application of thought."

Basis of the book

The title is influenced by a verse in the Bible from the Book of Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he". The full passage, taken from the King James Version, is as follows:

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

While the passage suggests that one should consider the true motivations of a person who is being uncharacteristically generous before accepting his generosity, the title and content of Allen's work refer to the reader himself.

Allen's essay is in the public domain within the United States and most other countries. It was released October 1, 2003 as a Project Gutenberg e-text edition.

About the book

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2022)

This book opens with the statement:

Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,

And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes

The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,

Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: —

He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:

Environment is but his looking-glass.

Chapter 1 starts with this quote from the Dhammapada.

To read further, go to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_a_Man_Thinketh

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia 

BOOK OF THE DAY

Often perceived as boring, history is unpopular with many children as it is often disconnected with reality and there is a visible lack of engaging activities and storytelling while learning the subject. But one book that proves otherwise is Travelling Treasures: 100 Incredible Tales of How Things Came to India. Authored by Mala Kumar, this book uncovers how and when a hundred myriad things that we use and consume every day entered India.

While the book traces the ‘history’ of how most of these objects were invented or discovered and finally found its way to India, the narrative is lucid and is characterised by a style that is breezy and replete with anecdotes, humour, and wit. The story of each object is crisp, not unnecessarily long and is presented in a way that is not only informative but educational too. For instance, take the case of aloe vera, where the book covers how the plant was a treasured commodity with famous explorer Christopher Columbus, its properties, healing qualities, and how the Arab traders bought it to India. It then touches upon the present-day scenario of how it is extensively grown in India, its medicinal and cosmetic uses, and the fact that it can be grown easily in a pot at home. There are fun and interesting facts thrown in too.

Thus, the book covers not only the historical aspects of each object but also throws light on the present-day relevance and context of each item, making it relatable and engaging for children. It does a great job of busting several myths that we considered to be facts for a long time. For example, growing up, we were always taught that the light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison. But the fact is that he was not the first to either invent an incandescent bulb nor an electric light bulb. Also, while it is popularly believed that hockey is our national game, no game has been officially declared the national game of India. Hockey is actually a British game. Although we do not officially have a national sport, we do have a National Sports Day which is celebrated on 29 August, the birth anniversary of Dyan Chand Singh who is one of the world’s best hockey players.

Methodically researched for over a year, there has been a conscious effort to make sure that the objects selected are all in use today and those which children eat, carry to school, like or even dislike. The year of independence has been chosen as the cutoff, which means that all the objects had to have come to India by 1947. And completing the book, enlightens the reader of not just information but the fact of how the world is interconnected, dynamic and how relationships between countries gave us so many things we see, use and enjoy on a daily basis. A great takeaway for children and adults alike!

BOOK OF THE DAY

A love story spanning multiple millenniums, life-forms and variations on immortality, the book posits Victorian poetry as a weapon of empire, insists on nature's resilience in the face of genocide, and manipulates prose into something like a new language....Toward Eternity recognizes both the building and burning of bridges." -New York Times

*A PARADE, LITHUB, and CHICAGO REVIEW OF BOOKS Best New Book. *An AUDIOFILE EARPHONES AWARD WINNER.

Negotiating the terrain of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun and Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility, a brilliant, haunting speculative novel from a #1 New York Times bestselling translator that sets out to answer the question: What does it mean to be human in a world where technology is quickly catching up to biology?

In a near-future world, a new technological therapy is quickly eradicating cancer. The body’s cells are entirely replaced with nanites—robot or android cells which not only cure those afflicted but leaves them virtually immortal.

Literary researcher Yonghun teaches an AI how to understand poetry and creates a living, thinking machine he names Panit, meaning Beloved, in honor of his husband. When Yonghun—himself a recipient of nanotherapy—mysteriously vanishes into thin air and then just as suddenly reappears, the event raises disturbing questions. What happened to Yonghun, and though he’s returned, is he really himself anymore?

When Dr. Beeko, the scientist who holds the patent to the nanotherapy technology, learns of Panit, he transfers its consciousness from the machine into an android body, giving it freedom and life. As Yonghun, Panit, and other nano humans thrive—and begin to replicate—their development will lead them to a crossroads and a choice with existential consequences.

Exploring the nature of intelligence and the unexpected consequences of progress, the meaning of personhood and life, and what we really have to fear from technology and the future, Toward Eternity is a gorgeous, thought-provoking novel that challenges the notion of what makes us human—and how love survives even the end of that humanity.

BOOK OF THE DAY

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2024
FOYLE'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
LONGLISTED FOR BLACKWELL'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
ONE OF THE GUARDIAN'S BEST IDEAS BOOKS OF 2023
ONE OF THE TELEGRAPH'S FIFTY BEST BOOKS OF 2023
ONE OF PROSPECT'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023
ONE OF DUA LIPA'S SERVICE95 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR '5 INSPIRING READS TO KICK START THE NEW YEAR'

'Funny and very important' Chris van Tulleken, bestseling author of Ultra-Processed People

'Educates and emboldens' Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

'Should revolutionise our understanding of human life' George Monbiot, bestselling author of Regenesis

'A vast and revolutionary history of female evolution' Sunday Times

How did wet nurses drive civilization? Are women always the weaker sex? Is sexism useful for evolution? And are our bodies at war with our babies?

In Eve, Cat Bohannon answers questions scientists should have been addressing for decades. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, she covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex. Eve is not only a sweeping revision of human history, it's an urgent and necessary corrective for a world that has focused primarily on the male body for far too long. Bohannon's findings, including everything from the way C-sections in the industrialized world are rearranging women's pelvic shape to the surprising similarities between pus and breast milk, will completely change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens have become such a successful and dominant species, from tool use to city building to the development of language.