Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The books on the shelf this week are serious, informative and fun.

1. “Uncommon Ground: Dialogues With Business and Social Leaders”; Written by Rohini Nilekani; Published by Penguin India; Priced at Rs.499

The book brings together titans of the industry and leaders of civil society to explore eight themes that are highly relevant to our future development.

Based on Nilekani’s 2008 show on NDTV, the conversations explore the middle ground between the ideological divisions that often polarise business and voluntary sectors, which are pushed back further because of their shrinking access to the natural resources on which they now depend.

2. “A Shot at History: My Obsessive Journey to Olympic Gold”; Written by Abhinav Bindra; Published by Harper Collins India; Priced at Rs.399

Abhinav Bindra once shot 100 out of 100 in practice six times in a row and walked out of the range unhappy. He is a perfectionist who once added rubber from Ferrari tyres to his shoe soles because he thought it would help. He would wake up at 3 a.m. to practice at his range at home if an idea suddenly struck him.

His victory was not just a personal triumph; it was a gift to his nation, a breaking down of a sporting barrier that had stood for a century. In ranges, on fields, in arenas, Indian athletes now own a new belief: they wear the knowledge that no challenge is beyond them. The shooter writes about his rigour and journey to get to the top.

3. “Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition”, Written by Chetan Bhagat; Published by Rupa & Co; Priced at Rs.140

The novel addresses the hot topic of corruption, a theme that resonates loudly in India in the aftermath of the mass anti-corruption protests led by social activist Anna Hazare. The novel is about love, corruption and ambition.

It is about two intelligent friends, Gopal and Raghav, who live in Varanasi. Both love the same girl Aarti. Both friends are ambitious, but success seems to elude them as the society they live in benefits the corrupt. Gopal gives in, while Raghav fights it.

4. “The 3rd Alternative: Solving Life’s Most Difficult Problems”; Written by Stephen R. Covey; Published by Simon & Schuster (India), Priced at Rs.799

In any conflict, “The First Alternative” is my way, and the “Second Alternative” is your way. The fight always boils down to whose way is better. The book represents a new way of thinking that will be “The Third Alternative” which is a departure from material on conflict resolution.

No one has to give up anything and everyone wins a better place than either had envisioned. The fight always boils down to a question of whose way is better.

5. “Experiencing Tarot: A Book of True Stories and Healing”; Written by Roopa Patel; Published by Harper Collins India; Priced at Rs.799

The book, which is the first of its kind by an Indian author, is the result of many years of experience in the field of Tarot reading and exploration in the veracity of the new age sciences. It expounds the inter-connectedness of the universe and esoteric sciences. It is aimed at clearing the cloud around Tarot and suggests ways of alternative healing.

There are some real life stories which have great human interest. The book also includes the meaning of cards which are integral to any book on Tarot. It looks at relationship between Tarot and other new age sciences like astrology, numerology, I-Ching, rune, kabala and the chakras and how all these sciences are inter-connected.