Revolution, jewellery and food for thought (IANS Books This Week)

NEW DELHI - A serious offering of non-fiction promises to tickle not just the grey cells but also the palates of readers this weekend.

1. Book: “Revolution Highway”; Written by Dilip Simeon; Published by Penguin-India, Priced at Rs.299

The world seems to be on the brink of change in the late 1960s - a present uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal, has set off on a bloody revolution, the Vietnam war is drawing the world into a cauldron, and French workers and students have brought the world to a standstill. Inspired by the spirit of the times, a group of friends at Delhi’s elite Mission College grapple not only with the few dilemmas of their coming-of-age but also with the indignation at injustice and poverty around them. As they travel to far-flung towns of India to sow the seeds of revolution, they are confronted with the question - can society ever come out of this spiral of violence?

2. Book: “Explore Rural India”, Compiled by UNDP, Published by Roli Books; Priced at Rs.1,495

This is the pathbreaking story of a project that aims to strengthen the rural dimension by developing unconventional tourism destinations. Those seeking a glimpse into Indias folkore, arts, heritage and culture will find this book a perfect companion. Highlighting each destination, it seeks to provide the reader an insight into rural livelihoods, and offers readers the possibility of making a significant contribution to their lives by planning rural tourism itineraries.

3. Book: “Handcrafted Indian Enamel Jewellery”, Written by Rita Devi Sharma and M. Varadarajan; Published by Roli Books; Priced at Rs.595

Beauty and glamour are two enduring qualities of jewellery. Kundan and enamel are two outstanding kinds of jewellery work. While kundan is used to decorate the surface of the jewellery, enamelling is used for decorating both sides. Enamelling, introduced by Europeans, was widely used by the Mughals. The best enamel jewellery has been produced during this period. Enamel not only enhances the value of the jewellery, but also tests the purity of the precious metal. Surprisingly, very little has been written about this art. The book explores the various techniques of the art.

4. Book: “War Without End”; Written by Dilip Hiro; Published by Roli Books; Priced at Rs.495

This is the first war of the 21st century. This is how president George W. Bush described the war against terror as signalled by the attacks on the twin towers of New York on 9/11. In reality, the conflict began during the era of president Bill Clinton in 1998 when the US responded to the bombing by Islamic forces at Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam. The book provides the historical context of terror and outlines other movements in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.

5. Book: “The Mainland China Cookbook”; Written by Anjan Chatterjee; Published by Random House India; Rs.499

The book teaches a reader how to whip up the perfect Chinese meals in your kitchen. Spicy Hunan prawns, quick fried snow peas with garlic pearls, chicken with chilli and cashewnuts, lamb with cumin, hot and sour soup - try these and more. A separate section with notes on the cooking style, tips for easy cooking, ingredients and the names of suppliers in all metros - it is the complete Chinese cooking guide for Indian kitchens.