History of India: A Captivating Guide to Ancient India, Medieval Indian History, and Modern India Including Stories of the Maurya Empire, the British ... Gandhi, and More (Exploring India’s Past) Paperback – March 21, 2019

Book Review Written January 16, 2020History of India A Captivating Guide to Ancient India, Medieval Indian History, and Modern India Including Stories of the Maurya Empire, the British Raj, Mahatma Gandhi, and More, By Captivating HistoryKindle Edition (108 Pages)This is a concise chronicle of tIndia's history. Speaking for myself, India has always seemed an almost incomprehensible and mysterious country, that I knew very little about prior to reading this fascinating and surprising book. Every facet of this ancient land seems scented with the famous spices that lured European traders to its shores more than five centuries ago. Here in this deeply spiritual nation, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists live shoulder to shoulder in crowded cities, that were ancient in the time of Jesus 2000years ago, in a world of multiple gods, each person perfectly peaceful in their own beliefs and traditions. In excess of one billion people live on the Indian subcontinent, working in a range of industries that begins in the agricultural sector and ends in the high-tech business world of Delhi. Intensified manufacturing and digital technologies have brought modern India into the global market, trading in communications software, customer service, and Information -Technology management, but these are far from the technologies and industries that put this ancient land on every map. Long before the British Raj (Rule) or the tea trade, India was beloved for its spices and jewels. For much of history, India provided the majority of the world’s diamonds from its own mines. Some of those sparkling, perfect gems grace the likes of the British crown jewels. Cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, silks, and textiles remain at the forefront of the Indian market, while the country’s cities embrace office work in the form of healthcare, insurance, and banking administration. In India, however, modernity need not take the place of antiquity; in the many cities and towns of the subcontinent, traditionally robed monks walk the streets chanting their spells alongside a parade in honor of the Hindu God Shiva, while a block away hundreds of English-speaking Indians set down their briefcases and log onto the Internet to begin the workday. India is unique in the way it has brought its ancient histories and traditions with it into the modern age. Ganesh and Shiva have accompanied their people from the Indus River Valley, the spring of Indian civilization, down the Ganges and forward through time.The author's interesting, conversational narrative style presents he Indian peoples and their diverse culture in a manner that captures and holds the reader 's attention. It provides an excellent, straight forward account that is engaging and readily comprehensible. It's content is obviously well researched and is presented in a concise, informative, and well written manner, while maintaining an unbiased perspective. The author provides excellent insights throughout the narrative regarding the social, political, economic, religious and cultural developments during India's historical eras I really enjoyed this book because of the quality of the narrative and the information it provides. I strongly recommend this book to any reader that is at least a little curious about history or whom enjoys a good, nonfiction story. It is a true Five Star read!

This was indeed a captivating guide to ancient India and medieval Indian history. Modern history, not as much. With so much history to choose from, the author did a great job of assembling a narrative. The chapters on animals and food seemed a bit out of place in the story, but offered good information.As a Gandhi buff, I spotted a number of small mistakes around his life: Gandhi was married at 12, not 13; his brother wasn't a London-trained lawyer; Gandhi left London in June 1891 at the age of 21, not 22; his mother passed away after learning he'd graduated, not during his studies; Gandhi's motive in forming a stretcher bearer corp in 1906 was most emphatically NOT to demonstrate solidarity with Africans, but instead to demonstrate solidarity with the British as part of an effort to win their favor; he lived on Tolstoy Farm for four years (1910-1914), not five; the hundreds of deaths on April 13, 1919 were most emphatically NOT because "fighting got out of control," it was a one-sided slaughter by 50 skilled riflemen firing 1,650 bullets into an unarmed crowd; Gandhi was president of the INC in 1924, not 1921.That being said, the author deserves credit for getting other details right that are often missed or glossed over, like using Gandhi's real name, Mohandas, instead of the honorific Mahatma; and that Gandhi's father was married to his 3rd and 4th wife at the same time. (Gandhi claims in his autobiography the first three all died). The author also does a nice job of pointing out Gandhi's efforts against sexism and racism, but trying to link the US's civil rights movement to South Africa comes across as a stretch to say non-whites couldn't ride the bus in 1893, 15 years before the Model T was introduced.I agree with the other reviewers who felt the Partition of India and Pakistan should have been mentioned beyond a single sentence, but that's an editorial decision. There were also a few typos in the book. Overall, this was an engaging read that I would recommend, but as one of multiple sources, not as complete guide to Indian history. I look forward to more books in this series.

Covered the history of India in 100 pages. I think that’s a perfect length. Will reread my highlights.

I was looking for a short Indian history book prior to a trip to India. This book is very light and short, and more of a booklet rather than a book. Lacks maps, so it is somewhat difficult to interpret the information.I would look elsewhere for a short Indian history book.

I like the easy approach to learning about the history of India. To know about India pre England's involvement is interesting and enlightening.

The History of India; Is a great synopsis of a long and great civilization. To fully understand the long an huge impact India has had on our world, you would have to read The Mahabharata. However; if you don't have a few years to dedicate to the reading of The Mahabharata. The History of India is for you. It cuts to the bone the different time events that made such and impact on world history. The chapters are short but very informative. It's a fun and easy to read book. Buy it. You'll like it..D

The author does an incredible job of presenting India's rich and diverse history. It is a well-researched book.

It's a good general overview....succinct.