Monday, December 19, 2016

Review: Human Evolution: A Pelican Introduction

Human Evolution: A Pelican Introduction
Human Evolution: A Pelican Introduction by Robin Dunbar
came into my hands as a Goodreads Giveaway! At about the same time I got another gem: Revolutionary Russia, 1891-1991: A Pelican Introduction (Pelican Books) by Orlando Figes

Both these books should grace all bookshelves, being among those books which, with relative ease, painlessly and pleasurably educate the reader. Any given adult or child should reasonably expect to find a book on any subject of interest that is well written and fairly informative.

Just as the latter book, which I read first, leads the reader through the turbulent times of the Russian Revolution without too many bumps along the way, Dunbar's book covers much trudging by those who might well be our personal ancestors. Dusty though these journeys through time may be, neither author waxs dry nor high on the specific subject.

And neither shall I run that risk in this review. So, let's hear it from the Robin's mouth and I, for one, shall quit horsing around.


  
Dunbar's  writing sparkles here and there with a little smile and that instantly dimples through a topic like evolution! Thus, it is not surprising to find that he has his hand in stuff that is more likely to appeal to wider sections.



Written with enchanting simplicity, elegance and a touch of humour, many books in the Pelican Library will lead you through our collective journeys.

Meanwhile, here's another book by Dunbar that I want to read soon.



Friday, December 09, 2016

R.K. Mohapatra's Somewhat Complex 'Retirement Planning - A Simple Guide For Individuals'

A book on retirement planning that looks at life from the Hindu perspective!




The below quote the author has used is much in the spirit of his offering:



I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways. And I was excited as, though I'm not a retired person - as I've never held a job, I'm getting on in the years and do experience times when I wish I could manage money better. 


Alas, though I'm sure the book is written to be easy to read, it's beyond my brain power to process. At times, the present Indian English, which is more than a bit hither and thither, proved the stumbling block for me and at others it was the financial advice. But then I'm somewhat like Jinu


It breaks my heart to be writing this when the author has so kindly sent me the book and autographed it! I will surely try harder to unravel the good advice with which I'm sure the book is loaded.


One look at the contents will show you that this is a useful book:


It's not the author so much as the editors. Ah well! It does appear that, through some mysterious workings of nature, Indians and many others seem to decipher the many world Englishes of our regions.  


Blue Rose Publishers can easily hire someone like me :D. But no. Alas!

In any case, a great buy for many!