Legal Eagles - Indu Bhan (2015)

The book talks about the current generation lawyers. The legacy that has been created by the likes of Mr. Ram Jethmalani, Mr. Fali S. Nariman or Mr. Nani Palkhiwala etc. over decades have now being leveraged by the following seven eminent names. There are other eminent names as well but the book avoids controversy of getting too involved with active political faces. They are:

1. Mr. Harish Salve
2. Mr. Mukul Rohtagi
3. Mr. Abhishek Singhvi
4. Mr. Arvind Datar
5. Mr. Aryama Sundaram
6. Mr. Prashant Bhuashan
7. Mr. Rohington Nariman

Couple of points to be taken from lives of all the lawyers:

1. They have been hardworking
2. Have been highly meticulous in what they have pursued
3. Have struggled to rise to where they have reached
4. Most importantly, have kept a clarity of professional vs personal life when it comes to balancing life.
5. Avoided unnecessary confrontation with the judiciary or judge while advocating their clients views. 

Surprisingly, all of these have seen their parents pursuing equally important legal positions in their lives so has early exposure to some of the nuances of the legal system. But the struggle they have faced are still real. While the book talks about some of the landmark cases, these eminent men have been exponents of the details are quite weak. It only focuses on the judgments and final decision by the judges. When days of legal argument has preceded those judgments they must be given some clear explanation in the book. The book has been toned down too much to support non-legal audience. 

The Mughal High Noon - Ascent of Aurangjeb - Srinivas Rao Adige (2015)

Yet another fictionalization of a historical event. Mostly soporific. Did not actually create a distinct interest in the subject matter. From personality standpoint, needless to say Shuja and Murad were outright leading a life for entertainment and pleasure. Cruelty was coming out in all the Moghul siblings other than Dara. Aurangjeb is described as a sensible (within his domain of sensiblity), cannot be compared to morals of today's society. For example. Dara's multi-religious viewpoints are considered outside the moral realm of Aurangjeb. Some chapters have significant story telling while some are summarized with editorial notes level of details. The author kind of got bored how and where to end the story. For example, the story does not cover capture of Dara but just summarizes in the last chapter as after thoughts of Aurangjeb's death bed. But, Murad and Aurangjeb's association has been described in great details.

Only good thing about the story is it's short can be read within a few hours. Otherwise, it does not give much of an intellectual gain on the topic. A very average attempt.

Cracking the Code - Ayusmann Khurana and Tahira Kashyap (2015)

The book is short. It's a breeze reading. The codes were unnecessary. The storytelling is good. But deriving moral success factors is not entirely important. It would have been just fine if audience had to just derive their success factors themselves. I think the author just wanted to keep there story different. Overall a good book. Fairly non-controversial and easy read. You get to understand the level headed relaxed actor Ayusman Khuranna is.

Maverick Unchanged and Unrepentant - Ram Jethmalani (2013)

You may not agree to the views expressed by the author but you cannot ignore them. Starting from Nehruvian India to Narendra Modi , Ram Jethmalani expresses his views on various controversial topics in an incisive analysis which only an experienced lawyer of his stature can do. The book has its highs and lows. Not all the expressions are in alignment to the reader's mind. But, you will always feel the author has a strong justifiable opinion in his claims. A good read but not all chapters can keep your interest alive.

Entrepreneur: Jack Ma, Alibaba and the 40 Thieves (2012) - Think Maverick

Contains about 40 of Jack Ma's most popular quotes. Definitely, very interesting quotes. But where the book falters in the explanation notes on each of the quotes. Highly, rhetoric and soporific. I cannot suggest anyone to read the book. Not a judicious utilization of time.

Little red book of punctuation - Terry O'brien (2012)

Good to see an interesting book on punctuation. Rules for punctuation are essentially hard for everyone. There are real subtle nuances. Unfortunately, the book has errors at places, has some editorial mistakes. In normal circumstances, I would have let it go but when you're trying to learn something meticulously like grammar such errors mean a lot.

Otherwise, a descent book on punctuations.

India in Love - Ira Trivedi (2014)

A book that will be remembered as the ultimate book of personal relationships of Indians of post liberalization. Talking about sex, marriage, social changes, divorce, there is hardly any aspects that has not been addressed in the book spanning over 400 pages. Remarkably detailed and exploring every of the views like scriptures, law, traditional practices. The author's interests in research can be easily understood from the detailed interviews she has taken and places she has visited which can be considered as places angels fear to tread. The book essentially divided into two parts part one on sex and second on love and family. The apt classification makes it a new dimension to look at culturally diverse a society India is.

A book that's unputdownable and definitely the author will leave a substantial mark in history on her authorship.

Speed Reading: How to Double (or Triple) Your Reading Speed in Just 1 Hour! - Justin Hammond

Habits takes days or even years' of practice to develop. This is one such book. Though the concept is simple, it takes time to apply it again and again to master it. There are many good books in the subject, this book won't classify itself extra ordinary but fairly concise and to the point. It talks of very few effective methodologies one can apply.

1. Not to vocalize
2. Not to regress
3. And read phrases or chunks instead of words

Also, talks about when not to overdo it. For example, it's ok to slowdown a bit when the subject matter is difficult, unfamiliar or skimming through is not entirely possible. Most importantly, the techniques need regular practice and enhanced reading habits to be successful.

JEH - A Life of JRD Tata - Bakhtiar K Dadabhoy (2005)

Little is known about the visionary of Indian industry who has established many firsts of industrial India. Lived through the ups and downs of political changes that underscored India in prominence of Nehrvian vision, Indira Gandhi, short periods under Janata Dal and early parts of liberalisation in India. The aviation man, father of Air India and first official pilot licensee in India definitely needs a lot to be praised for. The book although short and seem a bit dated provides a great details of the works and life of the legendary. The style is fast, a breeze read and very little on preaching.  An overall good informative read.

Khullum Khulla - Rishi Kapoor and Meena Iyer (2017)

I am never a big fan of movie personalities. Normally, I find them as great performers but never individuals from whose lives I will gain something spectacular. They have their idiosyncrasies and non-issues of ego trips that affect their lives and career. Why was this any different? Rishi Kapoor was actor the cusp era. When the old actors had left their mark and new generation was yet to pick up. Here is an actor who comes from the old school upbringing (belonging to the first family of hindi cinema) yet had to work with every new generation or actor of his time. There was a few hits he had but had more collaborative multi-starrers to his name. He had great singers, new comer actresses working with him. If I look back that period, I will not remember Rishi Kapoor as a high impact star of his time. So if his story had to be told it can only be told by he himself and he has done than very tactfully. In fact, Randhir Kapoor, again an actor of same era with a similar line of acting didn't have a great career to speak for himself. But I will consider him a more accomplished actor in some sense.

The book is very well written. More importantly has pointed out how an actor with all his limitations had to manage through the changing times working with hundreds of fellow artists who were unique in their own ways. For a person of such mindset still have strong view points is hard to believe. But he has left his traces in many places. I will give him all the credit for surviving the industry and now prospering as a character artist in some of finest cinema like say Do Dooni Char. In general, he has shown respect to almost every co-star he worked with. Save a few tiffs with say Javed Akhtar most of the book is about a non-controversial professional approach to building a long career. He has shown reverence for even for the most competitive actors he had interacted with. I was also surprised to see mention of Nassiruddin Shah and Irfan Khan who completely belonged to a different generation of movies. I am not sure how much the presentation was due to Rishi Kapoor or his illustrious co-author who has seen the industry closely and knows how to bring in moderation to view points.

Towards the end you get to learn Rishi Kapoor as a family man. You don't find anything formidable there. Neetu Kapoor's closing comments were not exactly needed. Same with Rishi Kapoor's views or aspirations on Ranbir Kapoor. I am sure Ranbir has shown enough maturity as an actor to not have such a significant mention as part of the books. I found that a family overdose which could have been avoided. But as every Indian loves to find more about a celebrity personal life some such sort was needed. Neetu Singh's closing chapter was more of a housewife's explanation of her period. A woman who had illustrated career and leaves it for upbringing of her family ensures the family remains as one as she moved along. Interestingly, her stardom was even before she could realize it. She got married at the age of 21.

Overall, a well thought out writing. The actor has told his mind. The co-author has done a fantastic job of moderating it and presenting in a succinct manner. A great read.