India

I read several books on China before taking a tour there in 2012. I hope to go to India in the future and wanted to do similar preparatory reading on that country. I found looking for books on China was easier than finding what I wanted on India. My first need was an overall picture of its history and society. This book does a good job in meeting that need. It is written clearly. That's a good thing because I do find India to be more complex and harder to understand in both its history and evolving modern society. The history is bound up in Hinduism with its many gods and myths. (Religions that came to the "one God" conclusion certainly simplified things for themselves regardless of what other faults or strengths they may have). The caste system, while fading under modern education and politics, still has a grip on much of the population. There is a very large Muslim population and many ethnic groups. Like China, an increasingly large middle class is still surrounded by great poverty. And there is substantial corruption in both governments. I have a lot more to learn but this was a good starting place.

Starts off a little slow but is a very good read on the history of India. Especially its relationship with the United States in the 20th century.

Superb but exhausting in its scope. A brilliant first read about India!

Covers geography, history, religion, and culture.

Great intro to India for first time travelers.

Writing style is so awkward it gets in the way of otherwise interesting material. What should have been relatively light reading for a history book is weighed down by the absence of effective editing.

This book was exactly what I need to prepare for my 3 week trip to India

Excellent book