Kaalkoot by R. Venkatesh

"Kaalkoot" by R. Venkatesh - India's Andy McDermott. 

This book is published by TreeShade books in 2018 and has 343 pages. 

A secret was buried in Himalayas in 1944. Manohar Rai has chosen Yogyaveer, to go into hiding with a trove of artefacts, manuscripts and sculptures that represented best of Indian civilization from Vedic times to save them from Imperial guard. Imperial guard, British white supremacist secret organization, planned to destroy all Indian artefacts and manuscripts before giving independence. In 2018, ACG (an undercover group formed by government of India) smells something fishy. A banker loves a girl but is afraid of commitment. A professor is spinning fantastic tales about Kaalkoot. A mad scientist is weaponizing labour of his life.

What is the secret? What does ACG discover? What does Sam have to go through to recognize that he loves Ananya? What is Kaalkoot? Can Damini stop the plot?

Fate throws Damini- ACG's best agent,  Sam- a banker and Bani- a professor together. Each of them has a different agenda. Damini wants to stop the bio weapon,  Bani wants the glory of discovering antidote and Sam just wants to get his girlfriend back. Eventually the mantel rests with Sam to rescue the world. 

The story is about Kaalkoot or Halahal, the mythical poison released during Samudramanthan, a toxin. It's produced by a pathogen making it a bio weapon without cure. Apocalypse is round the corner, world's only hope is Sam, but world doesn't know it. 

The Gupta Khandara and it's booby traps reminded me of Andy McDermott's Nina Wilde - Eddie Chase adventures. This one also contains clues in the form of verses that Sam has to decipher to get to his goal and also to remain alive. Although this idea is not new, author has used original tricks for the traps. 

There are some objectionable things too. Will an intelligence officer dismiss a plot involving visiting heads of state as heresy because there is no proof or will he reinforce the team to get to the bottom of it? Will an intelligence officer trust an investment banker to save the world? Moreover, Sam remembering images from past and those images solving the puzzle is little too convenient. A person is referred as Doc. Suddenly Doc is addressed as Maestro from one point onwards. Then why call him Doc in the first place?

Cover of this book is gaudy and colourful. Author R. Venkatesh is from the new breed of authors who graduated from IIT and IIM and took up writing fiction, following footsteps of Chetan Bhagat.

Why did I read this book? Author, Title.

What I didn't like? Objections as above. 

What did I like? Sikkim.

Although it's not wow, you can read it.

Baji Rao: The warrior Peshwa by E. Jaiwant Paul

"Baji Rao: The warrior Peshwa" by E. Jaiwant Paul - The general who never lost a war!

This book is published by The Lotus Collection in 2007 and has 184 pages.

Book summary

Aurangzeb was responsible for starting the dreadful decline of Mughal Empire by his fundamentalist religious policy and his never ending military miss adventures. The empire crumbled after his death. Sayyid brothers became the king makers. A void was created. The stage was set for Baji Rao. Mughal nobility was aligned into four groups: Persians, Afghans, Turani Mughals and Hindis.

Main characteristic of Baji Rao's forces was extreme mobility. Bajirao's army moved 50 miles per day and had three horses to every two men. They lived off the land and carried no baggage and tents. Baji Rao prided himself in enduring the same hardships as his soldiers and sharing their scanty fare. 

Baji Rao was a military genius and is described as a heaven born cavalry leader.  Hindus from all over the country flocked to his banner. Rajputs had always been strong defenders of Mughals. However, blind fanaticism and anti-Hindu bias of Aurangzeb undid all good work of his forefathers.

Author has reserved a chapter for the three trusted lieutenants of Baji Rao viz. Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Scindia and Udaiji Pawar. They were founders of the states of Indore, Gwalior and Dhar respectively in today's MP.

Mastani lived with Bajirao, rode with him stirrup to stirrup on his numerous campaigns, was his inspiration in battle, was mother of his son and chose to perish when he died. Perhaps historians swept her under carpet because she was an embarrassment. Even a strong person like Baji Rao couldn't break the shackles of Orthodox Brahmins.

An entire chapter is dedicated to Kanhoji Angre and Maratha navy and repeated failed attempts by British and Portuguese to win against Angre. Another chapter is dedicated to Baji Rao's campaign against Portuguese and British. 

High point of Maratha's empire came when Baji Rao reached Delhi and defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk again at the battle of Bhopal. 

At the young age of 42 he died of illness. 

End of book summary

There is an uncertainty about how Mastani died. This book says that she went Sati on Baji Rao's funeral pyre. The book has a very old and partly damaged picture of Mastani. This is different from the picture you see on Wikipedia. 

Author singles out Baji Rao's decision to grant English peace and free trade as hideously short sighted. He also states that Maratha's, and Baji Rao, did not pay enough attention to business and trade, thus they were short of cash for military expeditions and had to depend on spoils of war to fund the war.

Baji Rao had a chance to decimate Nizam and banish British and Portuguese out of India. But he did not do it. He considered unification of Hindustan as primary objective and invaders from north (Nadir Shah) as primary threat. This is the beauty of history. One decision can change the course of history. What if Baji Rao destroyed Nizam after victories in battles of Palkhed and Bhopal? What if British were banished from India? What if Mastani was accepted wholeheartedly by Brahmins and Hindus? What if Baji Rao had lived another 15 years? Baji Rao was at the gates of Dilli, What if he had entered the capital? What if a Maratha king had ascended the Peacock Throne of Dilli? Alas! None of it happened.

This is a book about Baji Rao. However, the book covers only one aspect of his personality, the wars. There are some glaring omissions. There is hardly anything about Baji Rao, the person or his private life sans Mastani. Nothing about his relationship with his wife, children, mother, brother or other family members. No elaboration about his administration or his vision or point of views about matters not related to wars. Baji Rao's main strength was the lightning cavalry and his impossibly fast movement of army. He was a logistics genius. However, the book doesn't say how he achieved it. The battle of Bhopal is also hurriedly covered. 

Author has chosen to tell the stories of Mughal kings, Nizam-ul-mulk, Kanhoji Angre, Peshwas etc. separately. So every time he has to go back in time and tell the story. While telling a story he has to refer to other stories to establish time line. As a result, the book appears like a patchwork quilt and not as uniform and continuous fabric. If he had told it as a single (and some what complex) story, keeping with time line, it would have become more interesting.

Why did I read this book? Wanted to know more about Baji Rao

What I didn't like? Structure of the book and omissions. 

What did I like? Information. 

Although it could have been better, it's a must read.

Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci

"Long Road to Mercy" by David Baldacci -  Misnomer!

This book was published by Macmillan in 2018 and has 384 pages. This is Book 1 of Atlee Pine series. 

Special agent Atlee Pine is posted at FBI office at Grand Canyon. A batch of tourists climbs down into canyon on mules. Next morning one tourist is missing and one mule is dead. Higher ups in FBI take interest in the case of dead mule. Atlee is seeking answers from a serial killer, who she suspects, kidnapped her twin sister, Mercy, when they were 6 and probably killed her. 

What is the mystery of dead mule? Why are top bosses interested? Will Agent Pine do what is right? Will she be able to trace Mercy?

Although the title is about Mercy, only first chapter is about Atlee's attempts of closure about Mercy. Rest of the story is about an international plot involving the Russians and North Koreans. A typical apocalypse scenario. 

Atlee Pine has to go off-grid to investigate. She gets unconditional help of her secretary and a Park Ranger and little help from the Yazee family and one of her boss' boss. There is also a hint of romance.

The romance, if it happens, and the story of Mercy and what happened to her is probably for the sequel. Since the book does not have story of Mercy, the title of the book becomes a misnomer. Road to Mercy is really long. It transcends books. 

The story is not very interesting. The investigation is sedate. The deductions are not fantastic. Story is slow. The big plot hatched by powers is strange. The powers go to a great length to keep the plot on course, but it crumbles easily and it appears that the decision to abandon the plot is taken by a low-key officer and not higher ups. Americans appear naive and Atlee is more intelligent than the entire administration. In short it's disappointing. However, despite all this, author manages to barely retain reader's interest and you don't abandon reading. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Native American angle.   

What I didn't like? Many things as listed above. 

Give it a miss. 

Burning Angles by Bear Grylls

"Burning Angles" by Bear Grylls - Nazi plot revealed. 

This book is published by Orion in 2016 and has 416 pages. This is Book 2 of Will Jaeger series.

Story starts where the previous book ended. Jeager, Narov and Raff decide to rescue Letitia Santos. Narov's mysterious people help them. The trail leads to Katavi, Africa. Jeager and Narov go to the game reserve and discover the Nazi plot. To counter Nazis there is another organization of good guys. 

Did they rescue Santos? What do they find in Katavi? What is the Nazi plot? Who is behind it? What is Gottvirus?

In first book there was a high altitude para jump, this one starts with LLP jump, a very low altitude para jump, about 250 feet. Author also uses another very high altitude jump for the climax. 

This book reveals the Nazi plot that will eliminate majority of world population in one fell swoop. It's a typical apocalyptic situation. The crazy Nazi is none other than the Deputy Director of CIA. He uses CIA assets like reaper drone, hell fire missile and, surprisingly, no one gets any wiser. Strange! Is there no oversight in America?

Author uses real incident of the outbreak of Ebola in Africa and blends it with his fiction. It's a good cocktail. It shows authors fertile imagination. 

Character of Irina Narov, the ice queen, starts to thaw and opens up to Jeager. Readers understands some of her actions and reactions (or the lack thereof) from first book. Jeager and Narov are attracted to each other. But Jeager's wife and son (assumed dead) are alive. Will Jeager be torn between two women in third book? The Nazi mastermind is not apprehended yet. Will book 3 be the mission to capture him from his lair?

Subtitle of the book is Will Jaeger finds his dark side. But I did not find any dark side of Will Jeager in this book. It's anticlimactic. Why the subtitle?

Why did I read this book? Goodreads rating and Book 1 was readable.

What I didn't like? Plot does not take you on the edge

What did I like? Technical details. 

It's not as good as Book 1. Read if you plan to read the series.

What to say to a Porcupine by Richard S. Gallagher

"What to say to a Porcupine" by Richard S. Gallagher - Customer service through fables!

This book is published by Amacom in 2008 and has 128 pages.

Author states his goal as to have a little fun with the things that happen between you and your customers and in the process, share some of the real secrets of serving other people. Format of this book is based on Aesop's fables, using humans and animals to tell a story with moral that you can use in life.

Book summary

Section 1 - The basics:

Story of clowns tells us to make a good first impression on your customer. Understand that customers' needs come first. Story of Hyena's restaurant asks us to listen to customers, take feedback and react to it. Customer satisfaction is as important as quality, variety and price. The moral of story of Greek Chorus is not to hassel your customer. Expect customers to behave like people and learn to keep your sense of humor, don't let the frustration set in. Parrots night out recommends to avoid negative expectations. Assuming worst in the customers leads to rude behavior. Story of snipe tells us, well, not to be a snipe with customers. Customer service involves helping people with problems and problems are no fun.

Section 2 - On the front line :

Story of Porcupine, difficult customers, suggests that we speak customer's agenda. Don't confront prickly customer. Set yourself as ally to demanding customer. Story of bears underlines mechanics and technique of good service. Greet customers, know their likes and dislikes, thank them. Story of the law firm highlights that key to handling tough situations is to learn how to speak to the other person's interest. Manage stress. Story of Penguin construction advises that bad service is not only saying wrong things but also not saying anything at all. Author uses shoe store story to convey message to keep your attention on your customer and not yourself. This will help you in advancing your career. 

Section 3 - Respect

King Arthur's tale underlines how treating customers with respect can be beneficial. Best way to develop positive mutual relationship is by taking good hard look at your policies and underlying values. Story of truffle shop by pigs tells us that having a good product is not an excuse for bad service. Peak periods should not bring out the worst in your team. Story of mixing two colonies of bees is all about respecting diversity. Don't stereotype customers based on race, ethnicity, age or gender. Tale of the dogs talks about positive reinforcement. When you learn to tap into these human emotions and help customers feel good, the rewards will come back to you. 

Section 4 - Service strategy

Story of a bunch of shrinks opening a bar is a lesson to learn what the customers like and find ways to give it to them, irrespective of your expertise. The story of huts built by sloths is all about setting customer expectations and creating a niche or premium product. The story of Mopes highlights that real service quality lies in connecting with other people and meeting their needs, not necessarily being perky or chirpy. Story of rabbits and tortoises running courier companies underlines importance of going extra mile, going above and beyond. 

Section 5 - You and your service team

Story of Mr. Grindle and Mynah tells that rules can set standards but can't create good service. Treat employees as your most important customer. Story of Sarge, a football coach turned store manager, underlines importance of positive strength based coaching. 

End of Book summary

Author uses natural characteristics of animals to exemplify personality traits. Hyenas are aggressive. Parrot repeats what he hears. Snipe is ornery. Porcupine is prickly, rude and demanding. Bears growl. Penguins are chilly by nature. Pigs are, well, pig headed. Bees don't mix with bees from another colony. Dogs are trained to follow orders. Sloths are very slow, slowest mammals on earth. Rabbits are fast and turtles are slow. Mynah says the sentence she has been taught. Not every story has animals. These parables are short, just like Esop's. Author refrains from elaboration and writes to the point. The book is interspersed with sketches of animals relevant to the story.

The stories of Porcupine, Hyenas and Sloths are good but the story of Bees is the best. Author gives moral of the story at the end of each story. Interestingly, many times it's not the real moral of the story or it's not the only moral of the story. 

Some times there is an overlap in message of two tales. One can wonder why two stories to make the same point. But there is a subtle difference in the points each story makes. Essence of the book is customer service and that good service should be fun.

Customer service is an art and science. In customer service often your reactions should be counter intuitive. You have to be empathetic and understand that more often than not you are called in when there is an issue. 

Author has provided discussion questions at the end of each chapter. They help in summarizing the chapter and brainstorming real situation. 

Epilogue of the book is essence of the book. I felt that the same essence should have been prologue in addition to epilogue. That would have followed the classic advise of Aristotle "Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them". 

It's a very interesting idea of giving some serious advice through parables, thus making it more user friendly, approachable, easy to relate and entertaining.  Reading this book on such a serious topic was fun. I enjoyed it. 

Why did I read this book? Title. 

What I didn't like? Tales are very short.   

What did I like? Use of animal characteristics and giving serious message lightly.

Highly recommend reading, if you are in customer service industry, and even if you are not. 

Accidental further adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old man by Jonas Jonasson

"Accidental further adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old man" by Jonas Jonasson - 100 year old man returns. 

This book is published by Fourth Estate in 2018 and has 368 pages. This is the sequel of one of the best humorous books 'The 100 year old man who walked out of the window and disappeared'

Allan (the 100 year old man, now 101) and his friend Julius Jonsson are living on an exotic island in Indonesia. They take a balloon trip on his 101st birthday. The balloon goes out of control landing them in sea. A North Korean vessel picks them. And from here starts a sequence of impossible and hilarious events.

What do they do in North Korea? Does he get along with Donald Trump or Angela Merkel? Is he a threat to security? What will he do this time? What will be Allan's new adventure?

This book, really, doesn't have a story. It's a sequence of crazy events. The part in North Korea is absurd. But with Trump's entry it becomes hilarious. But it slows down again. Becomes interesting during coffin business and then flattens out on the planes of Africa.

Like the previous book author uses real life Presidents of North Korea, USA, Germany and Russia as characters. They create humorous situations while discharging their duties. However, author reserves special treatment for Mr. Trump.

What stands out is author's ability to nonchalantly create a big contradiction in a single sentence. e.g. 'Trumps father was allegedly arrested at a KKK March. For one thing, it never happened. For another, he was released right away, so what was the big deal?' Or 'President Trump stated that Wallström and Karlsson had not done anything wrong, and warned them not to do it again'. I laughed out loud on a few occasions.

For one,  this book doesn't have the story from past that was the hallmark of first book. For another, the story is slow. For a hilarious book to be successful the story too has to be pacy. You can't sustain rapt attention of reader just with the word play, it has to be accompanied by action. 

The 101 year old man appears much more agile than he was in the first book. He walks for 2.5 hours. He goes from bonnet of one car to other etc. It appears as if he has shed years when he grew older. In this book he is addicted to a black iPad and keeps browsing news and telling others what he read, whether they are interested or not. 

First book of the author 'The hundred year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared' was excellent and I rated it 'Must read'. See my review posted in December 2013.

https://mandarbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-hundred-year-old-man-who-climbed.html?m=1

However, his subsequent books started to appear repetitive and lacked novelty, even if they presented different story. 

Character of an Indian, who is renamed Gustav Svensson, is of no significance. Why is it introduced? Unless, author wants to give it predominant role in yet undeclared sequel. 

This book continues the story of 100 year old man, now 101. The book is not as good as the first one, nowhere near. However, if you don't compare it's not bad.

In short it is a crazy, hilarious, satirical black comedy.

Why did I read this book? 1st book was fantastic.  

What did I like?  Style of narration. 

What I didn't like?  Lack of Wow factor. 

Read it, but don't compare it with first book.  

Love, kisses and all things warm by Preeti Shenoy

"Love, kisses and all things warm" by Preeti Shenoy - Unfulfilling?.

This book is published by Westland in 2015.

This book is a collection of five articles. Three of them are essays and two are love stories. One of the two is Preeti's story. Each article also has a hand drawn sketch by the author. 

When you are in love everything seems brighter. Once married, blinkers dissolve, harsh reality sets in. Other attractions appear. Weather you go with distractions or remain true blue is up to you. If all above is navigated safely, congratulations are in order. Here author cautions that extra martial affairs can happen at any time but most likely between 4th and 8th year of marriage. 

Offices are fertile ground for relationships to bloom. This has given rise to new phenomenon called 'office spouse'. The relationship may be romantic or platonic. Obama couple and Gates couple married after office romance. This article on office romance is fantastic. It's short, to the point and does not look at office romance with any prejudice. Only the last advise about company policy appears out of sync.

Kiss on the lips is ultimate symbol of passion and romance. In this easy author discusses various art works (paintings, short film and songs) that epitomize kiss. Here she demonstrates her understanding and interpretation of art. I came to know about the masterpiece of René Magritte's painting 'The lovers' due to this book. It's an awesome painting and can be interpreted in many ways. 

Love story of Preeti (and her, now, husband) is covered extremely briefly. After reading the author's note, I became interested in the story. But it ends very quickly and does not give details of how it happened. 

The timeless love story is of Margaret and Cyril who were in RAF (Royal air force of Britain) when they were 23 and 22 respectively. They eventually married at the age of 93 and 92 in presence of their families. Basically the message is that love can happen at any age, but again the story is extremely short.

This book discusses love. Generally when you read a good book, you get a sense of fulfilment at the end. This book bursts an exception to that. Although the book is good, you think more was needed. More articles were required, not just 5. More material was required in each article. There is a sense of incompleteness.

Why did publishers decide to publish such a small book? They could have easily added more pages. Was is to capitalise on author's popularity? It was published on Valentine's day, so they were opportunistic too.

Why did I read this book? Author and because it is a very small book.

What I didn't like? Stories are too short.  

What did I like? Essay on kiss. 

A good 'super quick' read.