The Adventurers (published in 1966) - By Harold Robbins, story of a remarkable man

Harold Robbins was one of the prolific writers of the 21st century. Born Harold Rubin, his parents were Russian and Polish immigrants. After dabbling in sugar futures he took up a job in Universal pictures which propelled his interest towards writing. Thus out came “Never love a Stranger” which courted controversy for its graphic sexual content. Soon Robbins would become a prolific writer churning out innumerable best sellers. He had this knack of mixing up a thriller with sex and historical anecdotes to create a taut mystery. The worlds favorite author, Harold Robins would publish over 20 books which are translated in 32 languages and estimated to sell over 750 million copies.
Many of his books were made in to successful movies, the very first being “A stone For Danny Fisher” which was adapted as “King Creole” starring Elvis Presley. The stories were also made in to mini series and were part of documentaries. Robbins also lived a jet setting life style with cars, wine and women at his disposal. His decadent life style along with those of the high and mighty of Hollywood is often mirrored in his books. Robbins was one of the authors honored with a star on the Hollywood walk of frame. This prolific writer died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 81 in Palm Springs, California.



The Adventurers, published in 1966 is the tale of a South American President who rises to the numero uno position in his country surviving a deprived childhood and other battles. All he has is, his amazing sex drive (no pun intended) and close friends. So, getting to the plot, in the continent of South America there is a country named “Courtuguay” which is an amalgamation of Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay etc. Diogenes Alejandro Xenos or DAX as he is popularly known as, is the son of the soil. So at the outset DAX is uprooted by the revolution and witnesses innumerable murders and rapes which Robbins describes to a sickening detail.
DAX moves to different capitals of the world making tonnes of money through lot of shady deals and exchanging arm candies for each country. He goes on to having unlimited sex with women with all races, although blondes are preferred. Harold as the inventor of blase sex has graphic descriptions thrown with every move and position explained. Actually the book is 700 pages long and can be said to be an ode to porn. Where you do not have orgies you have murders and rape.
The book is said to be inspired by Dominican diplomat Pirfirio Rubirosa, who was renowned as a ladies man and his life ended in a car crash. But you may be sure that DAX is too clever to end up in a ball of flame. The Adventurers is typical Harold Robbins, racy, and graphic. It was made into a movie starring Charles Aznavour and Candace Bergen. If one is a Robbins fan, used to his books, it definitely does not disappoint. But keep it away from young children.

Slayride (published in 1973) - By Dick Francis, investigating a disappearing English Jockey in Norway

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded the CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
SlayRide is a racing novel amidst the Norwegian back drop. Dick Francis sets the whole cast in Norway where the racing community is very small and therefore invite British Jockeys to give a fillip for their fortunes. Bob Sherman is an English Jockey who disappears with a large sum of the earnings, like sixteen thousand kroner. Embarrassed by the turn of events, the British Jockey Clubs send in an investigator, David Cleveland who tries to understand the case. As he digs deeper he finds many clues where he finds the robbery and escape theory implausible. Bob Sherman leaves behind a pregnant wife and a good career which makes a case for his innocence.



As David goes through the case his life is also in peril. He survives a vicious boating accident and numerous attempts on his life. But slowly and steadily he keeps on the path of the killer and he is flushed out. This book is not one of the finest of Dick Francis books but still holds on its own. Sometimes you might feel a little unfulfilled as the thriller element takes a back seat as Francis rambles about the horse racing scenes in Norway. His prodigious knowledge about Jockeying and the racing scenes around the world with respect to the English racing is great, but its only for the racing fans. Well much of the English Gentlemen thing is also a tad over done especially in this day and age. David has lot of lady friends about whom he thinks polite amoral thoughts is a funny element.
I felt a little let down by this book when compared to his Smokescreen and Rat Race. This may not be a hard to put down kind of book but enjoyable all the same. It is a recommended read at-least a first time read.

Bonecrack (published in 1971) - Father and son relationships in the world of horses

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded the CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Bonecrack is a delightful book which chronicles a father and son relationship. Neil Griffon has racing in his blood and as a son of a world class stable owner and trainer he is a natural. But his father does not have trust in his abilities, which forces him to move away and make a name for himself. Neil comes back when his father suffers an accident and is bed ridden. He takes up the upkeep of the stables intending to hand it over to a efficient trainer as soon as he has found one. But a night changes the equation – when Neil is kidnapped and threatened.



Just as Neil's father never gave anything, Enzo Riviera is ready give everything his son Alessandro asks him. Alessandro wants to become a champion jockey and ride Archangel, the race favorite. Enzo is ready to do anything to get his son's wish come true. Neil is threatened to give in to Enzo's demand. Enzo vows to burn the stables down unless and until Alessandro is allowed to supersede all the other experienced jockeys. Neil has no alternative but to accede to his wishes.
He takes Alessandro under his wing and tries to groom him in to a good jockey. Aless is a snooty and cocky guy with scant regard to authority. But fearful for the stable, Neil perseveres and Alessandro thaws and gets in to the training mode. In an heartwarming finish Neil gets Alessandro do the best things in the world. He also earns the respect of his father and defeats Enzo's evil plots.
I just love Neil Griffon's character who has no great personality except for his dogged determination to save his horses. Many horses do get killed and this might turn off the animal lover, but the pace of the book helps to forgive all. I just loved the story, its heartwarming and ingenious. Dick Francis is a great mystery writer and Bonecrack once again proves it.

Flying Finish (published in 1966) - By Dick Francis, a heir to an earldom becomes a horse groom

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Henry Grey in real life is a viscount and a very poor one too. A dwindling family fortune does not allow him any luxury to engage in his passions of racing and flying. Sleepwalking through his depressingly dreary desk job, he keeps his passions a secret. So just as any hero in the Dick Francis novels, Henry is sick of his life, struggling, but has great abilities with horses, mental toughness and determination. To compound his miseries, his family expect him to find a loaded wife who could bring in the money.



But Henry, tired of this life throws caution to the winds and takes up the job with a company which transports horses. He is the groom to the horses and this job albeit low in money and prestige takes care of his twin loves i.e flying and horse racing. But the company is not what it seems and Henry with his curiosity soon gets suspicious with the going-ons. As he goes on with his life he meets Gabriella in picturesque Milan with whom he feels a connection. But as he investigates the mysterious disappearances of colleagues and killing of horses he understands that, what he is transporting is more than equine cargo. This realization brings him face to face with a cold blooded ruthless killer. So Henry fights for his life, the horses and his love all while hanging precariously up in the air. After the fight sequences, the novel stops rather abruptly especially not resolving the romantic conflicts. These hanging loose threads may cause insomnia for a while.
On the whole the book is quite satisfactory with a great pace and action sequences. It also serves as a time machine which gives peek in to the past where the iron curtain ruled the political landscape. The villains are more blood thirsty and violence more graphic. The only disappointment is the ending, but many readers might wonder the fate of Gabriella. But a good book for all those who crave a mystery.

Blood Sport (published in 1967) - trying to find a kidnapped horse in America

Richard Stanley Francis or Dick Francis was born in Pembrokshire, Wales, England on October 20th 1920. His father was a renowned jockey and Francis was catapulted in to the world of Horses, Jockeys and racing. He dropped out of school to train as a Jockey and was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air-force during World War II. After the war Francis became a celebrity Champion Jockey winning over 350 races. He was the lead Jockey for the Queen Mother. But he had to drop out of Horse racing after a serious fall and became a racing correspondent for Sunday Express. Dick Francis churned out numerous best sellers and most of his books deal with the mysteries in the realm of Horse racing and Jockeys. He wrote more than 40 international best sellers and is the recipient of numerous awards. Being a three time recipient of Mystery writer of America's Edgar Award he was made the Grand master of MWA. He is also the recipient of Britain's Crime Writers Association's Gold Dagger Award for fiction in 1979 and the Cartier Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award. He also has the Gumshoe award to his credit. He was accorded in CBE in 2000. Dick Francis died in his Caribbean home on February 10, 2010 bringing down the curtains to an illustrious life.
Blood Sport has Gene Hawkins as its leading man. Like all other heroes of Francis he has lots of issues with the world. Gene has had his heart torn apart by an ex-girlfriend and he becomes suicidal and depressed. Well it is the 70's where rehab was not much of a fashion and popping pills were considered habit forming. Maybe current technological advances would have saved Gene from sleeping with a Luger under his pillow and taking unwarranted risks just to loose his life. Gene Hawkin works as a screener which is to prevent spies from getting planted in British offices. His ability to spot a fake resume and listening techniques make him invaluable.



The suicidal and manic depression has such an effect on his life that his boss, worried, packs him off for a three week vacation. On aboard a ship he rescues an drowning man who is convinced that his “accident” is not for real and asks his help to locate an expensive thoroughbred. He also informs Gene that some expensive British horses have disappeared from American stables about which the police have no clue. Hawkins takes up the case to escape from the boredom the vacation was causing him.
So the trail of the missing horses takes Hawkins across America from Kentucky, to Wyoming dude ranches, to eerie Arizona desert and even Las Vegas. As he struts along making less of his depression, he gains lot of friends and attracts lot of women. Gene is the archetypal Dick Francis hero who looses his heart but is suave and macho to get the girls. He escorts his bosses daughter to California and also supports another depressed women as the action hots up.
The trail includes a grand blood line scam with a family of crooks trying hard to cover tracks which can include murder. So Hawkins who tried to get out of life, at the right point chooses to live and bring the crooks to the books. A great story where pace is build up never to lag behind. Francis does not describe much about the American livery and lifestyle and for modern readers all the mystery could have been solved by a DNA test, still Blood Sport packs a solid punch. It helps us to relive the days where men lived by their wits and hands not by technology. A good read always.

Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (published in 2008) - A fantasy book, by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel as Elantris was well received followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. He has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan commissioned Brandon to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
The last book of the Mistborn series is equivalent to a amazing roller-coaster ride. The ups and the downs of the final battle where all the secrets are laid bare is the ultimate book. All through the 749 pages which seems to fly, not a single word is worthless and weighs its role in gold. Vin inadvertently releases a power imprisoned by Lord Ruler in the well of ascension called Ruin. Ruin is the power of destruction which was one of the foremost powers along with preservation in the universe. So with Ruin on the prowl the world is again a more dangerous place to live, mists swirl around this time making people severely ill, and ash continuously fall from the sky.
Vin tries to get through the mists swirling around to get to the bottom of the many secrets held by them. Vin's journey to unravel the metaphysical manifestations of the world takes her in direct confrontation with Ruin. She and Elend move through the normal politics of negotiations and realignment with neighboring counties often gatecrashing high profile parties.



But as Elend understands the nuances of politicking, Vin confronts the powers of the world. She understands the purpose of her chaotic childhood and becomes the essence of Preservation against Ruin.
Elend matures to a politically astute leader attracting followers and also finds time for being a proud husband. His allomantic powers also extends and slowly he becomes a natural Mistborn. But his understanding with Vin, and his trust in her powers along with love helps him to confront Ruin. Sazed, the Terris scholar, and chronicler of religions finds himself adrift after the death of his life. He is in search of the true god and a true religion. Both Elend and Sazed find their faith about the Hero of Ages is the only thing that keeps them going and ultimately this is the faith which helps them to the true word.
As the book moves along, old notions about Lord Ruler as a despicable despot are pushed away and we find reasons for his tyranny. Vin, Elend and Sazed confronts the demons of myth mongering, selfishness, superstitions and destruction of the the world. The lives and secrets of the Kandra, Koloss and the inquisitors are laid bare which helps Elend to find the ultimate metal of Attium. Ruin with his lust of destruction is checkmated by the power of love which lets Vin forget her pain and loss. She becomes the essence of preservation drubbing Ruin to help create a new world with flowers for the survivors.
This book is the ultimate fantasy saga with the most unconventional twist. Great language, greater plot and the greatest of all characterizations keeps this book a real page turner till the end. Alas these adventures are only for Allomancers and its sad indeed to be a simple mortal to watch the Mistborn's save the world.

Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (published in 2007) - A fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris, well received, followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. He has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan commissioned Brandon to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Well of Ascension is the second book among the Mistborn trilogy. The world has changed with the death and defeat of Lord Ruler and his evil empire and after the exhilaration of triumph, the realization of a rudderless entity is causing chaos. This confusion has many claimants for the spoils of the earlier ruler. The pure anarchy has even people cherish the earlier rule.
Vin, the protagonist and the pivotal spear against the Lord is now the girl friend of Elend the dreamy noble man. Elend is idealistic and plans to rule in a text book fashion, where constitutional rights govern all. He does not have real experience in realpolitik and is considered weak. He forms an assembly to govern the erstwhile capital of Luthadel, but these men who have no experience brings his ideals down. There are other set of Nobles, like his father Straff Venture who wants to keep their share of spoils. He amasses a large army to besiege Luthadel.



Vin on the other hand returns as the most powerful Mistborn of the region. With Keisher dead, she is emotionally very vulnerable and her only source of companionship is Keisher's Kandra, OreSeur. Kandras are magical companion's or servants whose contracts pass through inheritance. Vin also is very insecure with her relationship with the scholarly and blue blood Noble man, Elend who does not have any Allomancy powers. Will this unequal relationship survive?
Sazed pursues scholarly pursuits and stumbles upon the journal of the Lord Ruler whose ascension was the part of prophesies of Alendi. As he rushes to inform Vin he stumbles upon the most deadliest armies of all ready to savage Luthadel, the Koloss. Another noble man Lord Ashweather Cett also plans to invade Luthadel. As the petty squabbles reach the boiling point it is upon Elend's and Vin's courage to defeat the villains. Straff tries to depose Elend by manipulating the same laws that he wrote. Elend's half brother, a Mistborn himself seeks out to Vin, convinced that he can escape serving Straff if he could elope with her. The mutual fear of Elend and Vin threatens their relationship further. As the novel hurls in to one disaster after another the reader feels the pure chaos feeding Luthadel. How do people go on without a purpose? What happens after a revolution succeeds? These are the questions answered through this novel. Lofty ideals and good intentions are never enough to run a nation and satisfy the good and the bad alike.
Elend and Vin discover this bitter truth and the mist which swirls turns up another surprise for Elend. This helps Vin to reaffirm her relationship and see through the machinations of Zane. This second book takes from the real world where revolutions are planned and executed with no vision for the future. It exemplifies the great plans gone awry when greedy gather together for the spoils. This book as any middle book does hangs up over the ultimate fate and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.

Mistborn: The Final Empire (published in 2008) - A fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris was well received followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan commissioned Brandon to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Mistborn: the final empire is the first book of the trilogy by Bryan Sanderson. Here he creates a new world ruled by the evil Lord Ruler and his feudal aristocrats and a new magic Allomancy. Allomancy is the capability to ingest metals and use them to acquire superhuman abilities. This is inherent in the Mistborn's who then can manipulate any metal to propel themselves or use it as a weapon. The chief protagonist in this book itself is the evil Lord Ruler. He was the long awaited boy liberator who turns to the shadow to become the worse oppressor of the land of Skaa.



The brutal and absolute regime has gripped them in fear for thousand years with volcanic ash covering the city devoid of blooming flowers. The populace is ground under the thumb of oppression with executions for minor infractions being a norm. Food has become a scarcity and the slaves of Skaa loose their health and will to live.
Into this conundrum enters Keisher the ultimate revolutionary and Robin-hood rolled in to one. He was brutalized by the ruling class and had witnessed the killing of his wife by Lord Ruler. Thrown into the mines, Keisher is famous for being the only one to escape from the hell holes of the Lord. He seeks redemption for his people and revenge for his wife. He commands a rag tag army of small time crooks who have the confidence to infiltrate the palace of Lord Ruler himself seeking the means to kill him.
Vin is a thief off the streets who roams with her brother. Keisher soon finds her using Allomancy against an important official of the Lord Ruler and is fascinated by her talent and confidence. He takes her under his wings to tutor her to control her power. He teaches her the nuances of misting and in a Pygmalion like role helps her to move in the society. Vin learns to behave among the royals and feudal roles and soon infiltrates their rank as a lady. She soon enters the palace and stumbles upon the journals of the boy who would become Lord ruler. Vin also questions Keisher's belief that all aristocrats are evil killers especially as she falls for the young nobleman Elend. Vin grows taking along Keisher with her, as she develops her abilities to bring about the change of guard.
Mistborn is one of the most amazing book written by Sanderson. The pacing, characters and the idea itself is the most captivating. Sanderson does not indulge in time tested magic tricks, instead develops new capabilities, like Allomancy. Who else can imagine such innovative magical capabilities? Sanderson takes the story of a messiah and turns in on its head, with the corruption of the savior itself. There is no dull moment in the book as the action explodes right from page one. This book is definitely a captivating read and the only problem is keeping one's hands off it.

Alcatraz Versus The Knights Of Crystallia (published in 2009) - A fantasy book by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris was well received and followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan commissioned Brandon to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Alcatraz after successfully putting down the Librarians returns to his real home of Nalhalla. After being in the Hushlands he returns to the Smedry's hometown where he discovers that he is a celebrity. Books are written in his name and people love to be with him. Considering the painful and isolated life in the Librarian infested United States, it is a very welcome change and Alcatraz fully welcomes it.
Meanwhile the librarians who are down but not out are weaving their own webs of treachery. Alcatraz finds his father whom he rescued from the pits of Alexandria is incoherent, silent and very distant. His efforts to engage a conversation is stiffly denied. Bastille on the other hand is stripped of her title and powers as she has broken the sword. Alcatraz discovers that he was kidnapped as a baby by the librarians with his mother active complicity as she was a librarian herself. In-spite of the problems Alcatraz revels in his newfound fame and grandpa Smedry has to zap him out of it.



So begins his adventures as librarians are negotiating with the king of Nalhalla. They ask for the kingdom of Mokia in return for the cessation of hostilities. His mother Shasta meanwhile try to infiltrate the royal archives to get a rare book which gives information about the origins of the Smedry talents. So Alcatraz on his teen shoulders has the responsibility of rescuing Bastille's reputation, foil the librarian plans, nullify the treaty of Mokia and open up his father. Does he do it by keeping his wit and brash teenage angst intact? Joining Alcatraz on his quest are the usual suspects grandpa and Bastille along with a Crystin Knight; Folsom Smedry, a cousin and literary critic; and Himalaya, a reformed librarian.
Another amazing adventure from Brandon Sanderson who just knows the pulse of the reader. However here Alcatraz comes to terms with his “greatness” and admit to himself that he is the cool jock of the free kingdoms. So a new self assured Alcatraz full of himself is presented. But his sarcastic wit and classic one liners keep his ego from inflating and the readers interest. This book has a little more action with dragons, trials, and maybe a budding romance. One little jarring thing is the knights of Crystallia, which actually does amount to much. The fights between the knights are not very much the center of the plot as the title suggest. And never read the book in isolation, always follow the series order and be prepared for the unexpected giggles and guffaws.
But still just as Alcatraz realized about himself, its time we accept the fact “that the book is just awesome”.

Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones (published in 2008) - The second novel in the Alcatraz series

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received, followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan commissioned Brandon to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
The second book of the Alcatraz series, it further explores the magical kingdoms and the evil cult of the librarians. Alcatraz after successfully infiltrating the Librarians is one of the most hunted boy in the planet. His grandfather plans to evacuate all of them to a safer place, but Alcatraz has other plans. He is tormented by the disappearance of his dad and plans to go to the Library of Alexandria which was his last know destination. This library is manned by its soul stealing curators who entice people to check out with a book. This library has everything written by man and is the last word in knowledge. The only catch is, if you read its books your soul is sucked out by the curators.



In Alexandria Alcatraz is soon joined by Bastille, her mother Drauline, his uncle, Kazan and cousin, Australia. Australia has the talent of waking up and looking ugly, or looking like the person whom she last thought of before falling asleep. Uncle Kazan is blessed with the talent of getting lost, that is he can get himself lost from dangerous situations and find himself back when things are favorable. Reaching the library the whole group separates and the curators tease and taunt the Occulators to take a book. Alcatraz understand their language through his translator lenses. Kazan manages to find him and awesome Bastille with the help of his “getting lost” skill. Adventures follow as they are out maneuvered and mange to outwit at the same time. Alcatraz on the trip to Alexandria learns that his is one of the greatest and dangerous talents and his father Attica had sold his soul to the curators. He finds a note written by dear dad before his transformation and finds a way to turn the clock back for his family.
The second book is hilarious, sparky and the most engaging. Sanderson employs great wit for all his characters especially for Alcatraz which makes him the smart Alec of boy wizards. The gadgets like Translator lenses and windstormers are really the ultra cool ones which all boys like to have. I am sure Bryan Sanderson would have converted some teenage fantasies writing about Alcatraz. There are some moments of awkward dialogues like when Bryan and Bastille are trapped in the pit which makes you turn the page a little faster, but on the whole the book is fast paced, engaging and great fun.
A word of caution though, always follow the Alcatraz series faithfully or else you may loose some vital points of importance. One can go ahead and have some fun times with the family with this one.

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (published in 2007) - a juvenile fiction novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received, followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. He has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan asked Brandon to complete Jordan's famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Never get misled by the title, for this book is about a boy of specials talents inhabiting the world of the evil librarians. Well, librarians are book lovers nemesis, as they patiently wait to get you out of their lair. But jokes apart Alcatraz Smedry, the hero takes you in to that alter universe of magic talents. This book is targeted towards a teenager, but big kids over forty would also definitely enjoy this.
Alcatraz Smedry, is a lanky teenager who is an orphan, yanked in and out of foster homes. He is cursed with the amazing power of klutziness and tends to break, no wreck, anything in the vicinity. So no home will ever hold him or have him. In-spite of this Alcatraz accepts his way in life with humor. But on his thirteenth birthday, things begin to hit the roof. He gets a bag of sand from his biological father and even as he ponders the mysterious present it is stolen by some shady characters. As he tries to calm himself in the kitchen it catches fire and is razed down. Shocked by this, his chef foster mom gives him up and Alcatraz is back in the orphanage ready to be shot by the case worker (yes it happens).



He is visited by his grandfather Leavenworth Smedry who tells him that he belongs to a strange land of magic called the free kingdoms and he possess the amazing talent for destruction. After this shock revelation, he meets his real family, Bastille and cousins, Quentin and Singsing. The whole group are the Occulators each possessing a magical talent, Grandpa's is “coming late”. He comes late for pain, destruction, he is even late for death and therefore indestructible. Occulators are talented beings saving the world from the evil force of the librarians and the key to defeat them now is to retrieve the “bag of birthday sand” stolen from Alcatraz. Alcatraz accepts the job of rescuing the “Sands of Rashid” by infiltrating the lair of the librarians with his yellow and red tinted “Tracker Lenses”. Along with his cousins, mother and grandfather he does it with much aplomb and laughter.
Bryan Sanderson proves once again why he is one of the most talented writers around. His imagination is wonderful in making this magical world work. It is not the run of the mill, wand swishing, incantation muttering magic, its the funny bone tickling talents thats on display. Tickling the story does, with the infectious wit spread across the pages and the whole story works even to the heights of folly. From the realms of the Hushpeople i.e non magical people I can only admire Bryan's talents for weaving a story.
A warning though, you may better position somebody to pry your fingers off this book, because you might never give it up the peaceful way.

Warbreaker (published in 2009) - A fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Bryan Sanderson unveils the plot just like a fantasy game where Gods vie for their place with mercenaries, heroes, princesses and other sword-bearers. It introduces the concept of magic called Biochromancy which involves “using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished." Everybody is born with one breath which can be bartered, sold to gain favors just as you accumulate life in your game. So as you accumulate more breaths your magical ability grows and after each threshold a “heightening” occurs conferring the holder miraculous powers. Some accumulate thousands of breaths thus becoming God like denizens themselves. These powers are life giving wonderworks and also make the accumulator ageless. This concept of accumulation of breaths is the cause of rift between the god's of Hallendren and Idris.



Sanderson weaves the tale of the two ideologies drawn from a single premise. Hallendren's Gods approve the accumulation and selling of breaths even by force. The God kings of Hallendrens even kill for the breaths and many poor people sell theirs as a means of survival. Hallendren is the place where Awakener's roam the streets in turn guarded by the Awakened corpses. The original King moves away from these mercenaries and establishes a peaceful kingdom of Idris across the mountains where magic is for everyone even though its in moderation. This socialistic situation makes Idris relatively poorer and much less colorful as the magic is spread over compared to the colorful Hallendren where a powerful individual can heighten the magical capability to new levels.
Since Idris controls the mountainous trade routes, Hallendren start sabre rattling which forces the king of Idris to revisit an old treaty to bring about peace. He plans to send his less favored younger daughter, the spoilt Siri to be the bride of Susebron, God King of Hallendren. Her sister Vivienna who was brought up for this very role feels the guilt, and follows Siri to rescue her from the clutches of evil. The God Kings are the “Returned”, the men who die a heroic death and are sent back as ageless magical beings. Siri is warned to be subservient and not to look in to the eyes of her husband.
In this conundrum lives Lightsong, another returned who makes light of his godly status. He makes jokes of his ability and is often curious about his heroic before-life and death. Siri and Vivienna come to the realization that the god kings of Hallendren are just pampered souls, but the real power lies with the priests. Vivienna discovers the plot to stir the rebellion in Idris and is constantly watched by “Vasher” whose sword has a deadly secret. As layers of treachery, threats and trouble are peeled off, each of the characters grow, Siri gains the political savvy, Lightsong his secret and Vivienna and Vasher their purpose in life with broadening of their horizons.
Sanderson unravels the plot in many layers and builds up the intrigue and suspense to dizzying new levels. Each character builds up the tempo of the story and the ending is just mind-boggling. You just turn the pages astounded at the level of his imagination. If you are a fantasy addict, the Warbreaker is a must read and if you are not it is a nice place to start.

Elantris (published in 2005) - A fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is a an American Fantasy writer currently based in Utah. He has a degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University and is currently one of the most exciting science fiction writers around. Nominated for the prestigious John. W. Campbell Award for science fiction twice, he also served on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine. His first novel was Elantris which was well received followed by the “Mistborn” series which propelled him to great heights. His has since then established himself with the Alcatraz series and many short stories. Harriet McDougall, the widow of Robert Jordan to complete his famed “Wheel of Time” series. At present Sanderson lives in Provo, Utah and is an instructor at the Brigham Young University.
Elantris is a world of the god's chosen people. The transformation or the Shaod picks any one from the Arnelonian nation and makes them that magical being capable of healing and amazing supernatural powers. The Elantrian's have misty white hair and the power of the AonDor makes them shine with a luminescence of the celestial bodies. The very stones of Elantris would glow, making it the true city of the gods. The 5 cities, the largest among them being Kae, around Elantris flourished under its patronage. Elantrian's never were concerned about being the revered deities and encouraged all forms of worship, especially the peaceful sect of Shu-Korath.



The books opens with the darkness where Elantris was destroyed and the Elantrians confined to its dark ghost like walls as mere corpses who would not be blessed even with the release of death. The now dreaded Shaod which makes a living man wretched, inflames and increases every pain and injury. To this world of the living dead, the much popular Raoden, the prince of Kae is thrown in as the Shaod comes up on him. His father, Iaodon masks his condition by declaring him dead and holding a funeral. Raoden's political bride Princess Sarene of Teod arrive and the marital contract binds her to the imperial household as a daughter. Sarene, a strong willed women senses something amiss about the sudden disappearance of the prince and starts to investigate the royal household and the tumultuous political situation of Kae. After the collapse of Elantris Kae has been in political turmoil for a decade with the mercenary merchants gripping the political favors with their money. The peasants and others suffer the yoke of slavery and poverty, creating a a class with simmering rage.
Compounding the troubles for Kae, the Shu-Dereth sect controlling the east under the despot Wyrn Wulfand sends in the Drakhor Monk Hrathen with a ultimatum, convert and surrender to the Shu-Dereth religion or face annihilation. Arnelon and Teod are the two nations resisting the tyrannical rule of the Wyrn and Sarene faces the complex situation of finding allies to withstand Iaodon and Hrathen. Slowly but surely she finds friends of Raoden and her kinsman who help her thwart the evil designs of Hrathen. Raoden on the other hand immerses himself in to the redemption of the Elantrians. He learns the ancient power which binds the Aons and the land and brings the living dead of the Elantris to fight their condition.
Hrathen and Sarene strive to outsmart each other, ultimately their purpose is to unite with Raoden. The book pulsates with the raw energy of its characters and is definitely a page turner. The book is a visual treat as Bryan Sanderson brings the images alive as a motion picture. You can feel the wretchedness of doom and the triumph of battle in every word. Sometimes you do feel Raoden having it too easy and Sarene, being the stereotypical strong but beautiful woman by his side, but the strength of the idea and pace of the novel makes it a best seller.

The American (published in 1877) - First published in serialized form, and then as a book, by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City in to a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This novel chronicles the travails of Christopher Newman, a gauche but rich American who travels through Europe. Newman is indeed the son of the new world, America, brash, hard working unlike the aristocrats in Europe who are very class conscious. Newman on his travel encounters many people, like Noemie Nioche, Tom Tristam and Lizzie Trisatam who give their perspective of Europe. He is introduced to beautiful Claire Clintre, a French noblewoman who has left her abusive husband. Newman falls in love with Claire and she also gives him his heart. But the Claire's mother,Madame de Bellegarde, and her older brother, Urbain de Bellegarde are against the match because of the working class origins of Newman. They never make it a secret that they are interested in his money.



Claire's younger brother Valentin de Bellegarde respects Newman for his ethics and becomes good friends with him. He also falls in love with Noemie and is challenged to a duel by another admirer. Valentin is mortally injured in the duel and in his dying moments reveals that his mother and brother had murdered his father. Meanwhile Newman tries his best to ingratiate with Claire's family and is constantly rebuffed.
When her mother and brother forbid her match with Newman, Claire takes the veil and joins a convent to become a nun. This is the last straw for Newman and he plans to take revenge against Madame de Bellegarde and her son, Urbain. He obtains written evidence of their complicity in the murder of Claire's father and plans to get them convicted. But Newman is torn in to two. One side he yearns for revenge and on the other side he sees the futility of such an action. But in the end he tears the evidence and still walks away with doubts about his actions.
The American epitomizes the new world of USA where men are honest and truthful compared to the deceit and discriminatory attitude of the Europeans. It is said that James wrote the Americans to counter the Alexander Dumas's novel L'Étrangère, which portrayed Americans as crude gold diggers. But I find the ending to be very confusing and not defined. It is a romantic novel with lot of philosophy about right and wrong and filial responsibility thrown in. In today's age, such pure virginal relationships may be non existent, but the Victorian consciousness of the Author cannot be contested. So I would still say the American is a good read.

Puck of Pooks Hill (published in 1906) - A fantasy book by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like 'White Mans Burden' are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanist. But as one of the youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today. Kipling died in 1936 in London and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
These are series of stories which Kipling has taken from historical accounts and is basically about the Kings and Queens of yesteryears in Europe. So you have Queen Elizabeth, King henry, Roman Generals, Fairies, pirates and vikings striding across the pages in a glorious procession before your very own eyes.



The story starts with two children Dan and Una who stage their version of “The Midsummer Nights Dream” thus pulling the naughty fairy Puck in to their midst. Puck magically transports them across ages where they see a Norman Knight, a Renaissance artisan, Saxons, Picts, Norsemen (Vikings), a Chinese slave-master, Kings, Queens and many others, each of whom imparts his respective piece of England's history. The fantasy stories starts with:

Weland's Sword: It tells the account of the Norseman conquest where Weland the great smith forges the sword through which he conquers a country and a princess.

The Young man of the Manor continues the saga of the Norman conquest and introduces Sir Richard Dalyngridge who takes part in the conquest and wins a manor.

The Knight of the Joyous venture depicts the voyage by the Danes along with Richard Dalyngridge and other captured prisoners.

Old Men of Pevensy tells the story of intrigue in the court of Henry I when he is in Pevensy.

Centurion of the Thirtieth is the story of Parsimus who is a Roman soldier who goes to battle with the general Magnus Maximus. It tells the conquest of Gaul by the general.

On the great Wall tells us about the Hadrian Wall which was built by the Romans and it defense against the invaders.

The Winged Hats continues with the Hadrian Wall and the defense of general Magnus Maximus.

'Hal o' the Draft' is the tale of deception, mutiny and beheading involving the explores Sebastian Cabote and Privateer Andrew Barton

Dymchurch Flit is a fairy tale where Puck disguises himself as Tom Shoesmith and tells the story of widow Whitgift who loaned her sons to help others.

“The treasure and the Law” is about a Jewish money lender Kadmiel whose shrewdness is instrumental in signing of the Magna Carta ushering in peoples law in England.

All these tales are in the realm of historical fantasies and educate the children about the law and evolution of the land (England) they live in. beautiful and delightful and a must read for all ages.

Captains Courageous (published in 1897) - Written by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like White Mans burden are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanist. But as one of the youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today. Kipling died in 1936 in London and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
This is one of my favorite childhood books which hold a fascination even today. This coming of age story of a rich millionaire brat has been rehashed in countless movies and novels, but nothing comes near Kipling's rendition.



Harvey Cheyene is a rich kid whose father is interested in his millions and mother who has a weak will and nerves. Harvey is a spoilt brat with no concerns for fellow men and is fully immersed in his way of life as a party animal, a la Paris Hilton. At the beginning of the story, Harvey is on a cruise, on one of his father's innumerable ships. The ocean liner is crossing the grand banks cutting through the thick of fog and Harvey's more concern is about the noise from the squawking fishing vessels near by. His disconnect with his surroundings is evident from his statement "You can hear the fish-boats squawking all around us. Wouldn't it be great if we ran one down!".
So the self centered Harvey is tricked in to smoking a oily Cigar and as he clears air on the deck, a grand wave washes him overboard. The next thing he remembers is waking up on a tone of fish with a broad back man on a blue jersey who introduces himself as Manuelo. Harvey is rescued by a schooner “We're Here of Gloucester” captained by Disko Troop. Troop's son Dan keeps vigil while Harvey sleeps of his fatigue. True to his spoilt nature, Harvey demands to be taken back to New York and tells them “what a rich boy he is” and the rich haul they can have from his father. Troop refuses to believe his yarn and offers him a job on the schooner in lieu of his keep. Thus Harvey begins his life as a fisherman, gutting the fish with others.
Kipling very gamely describes the back breaking work of a fishing trawler at sea for months. He through Harvey's lessons tells how fish is caught, gutted and stored for sale. Harvey along with Dan, Manuel, Penn, Long Jack, Old Salters, Tom Platt and Disko troop pitches, cuts and salts the fish and the millionaire boy has to get on with life. Soon he gets the hang of it and takes pride in his new life. Deep friendship is formed with Dan during their watches aboard the schooner and Harvey from a spoilt pale white boy turns to a clear eyed, strong level headed creature who respects even the smallest of boats.
When Mom and Dad catch up with him, they are surprised by the transformation and Harvey has a heart to heart talk with his Dad. Harvey leaves with a promise of getting Dan a place as mate in his shipping company and a promise to live life with respect. Respect is what Harvey learns aboard the humble schooner and the reader sees that in his parting words “Great ships these of my father's? Oh yes," But back in Gloucester are the able little vessels. The We're Here, she's one. I owe a heap to her-to her and her crew."
And we owe Kipling our gratitude for a swell tale of a boy who turns out to be the best of men.

Stalky & Co (Published in 1899) - Written by Rudyard Kipling, a collection of short stories

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like White Mans Burden are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanists. But as an youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today.
Stalky and Co is a collection of stories about adolescent boys who are in a boarding school in a quaint town of Westward Ho!. These stories are influenced by the real life boarding school experiences of Kipling and Stalky is inspired from his friend LC Dunsterville and Beetle being the bespectacled avatar of himself. The others include, M'Turk based on George Charles Beresford, Mr King based on William Carr Crofts and the school is based on the United Services College.



Stalky, the type of self-contained boy who smiles at you as he plots your destruction. McTurk, an Irish aristocrat for whom bad aestheticism is the worst crime. And, refreshingly, Beetle, a bespectacled poet. Their deadly combination wreaks havoc on any schoolmaster unwise enough to set himself in opposition to them. The stories trace their many pranks at school including playing with dead cats, brewing beer and smoking like a chimney. These books are typical Kipling works which involves a collection of interconnected stories with a verse of two peppered in between.
Kipling is taken up completely by Stalky whom he describes to be “in black tights and doublet, a black silk half-mask on his forehead, whistling lazily where he lay on top of the piano” compared to the nearsighted Beetle.
At the end of the stories all the mischief and the pranks enable them to be the person they are, patriotic and able to defend the empire far and wide. At the end of their youth they assemble at the castle of a friend who inherits the title to reminisce and drink to their amazing peers who serve in the army.
Kipling's stories may shock many today especially with the over dose of empire praising. It also borders on Antisemitism and racism with the natives almost relegated inferior. But one has to keep the time and philosophies of the time and judge his books. Stalky and Co may not be compared to other boarding school sagas like “Tom Brown School Days” but has a charm on its own.

The Jungle book (published in 1894) - A collection of stories by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like White Mans burden are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanists. But as an youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today.
Jungle book is a collection of seven stories featuring anthropomorphic animals and humans in a very Indian setting. These stories may have morals and symbolism but the foremost idea is to entertain and thus equating them with the Aesop fables are futile. This book has gone in to the public domain and are a part of the Project Gutenberg for viewing.



For me the first mention of Jungle book brings to mind the cherished memory of Mowgli the man cub brought up by the wolves. Mowgli is found by a she-wolf who nurses the baby along with her cubs. He grows up with the pack along with friends like Bagheera, the panther and Baloo, the Bear and Kaa, the python. He has his wolf brothers and the leader of the pack Akela to fight for him. This story chronicles the life of Mowgli and his fight with his arch enemy, Sher Khan, the Tiger. Devious devices and petty jealousies drive Mowgli to the human settlement where he is taken care of by Messua and her husband. But Mowgli can never be away from the jungle and he comes back. He kills Sher Khan, reunites with his brothers and joins the pack as a full fledged contributing member. The chronicles of Mowgli is told through 3 stories namely, “Mowgli's Brothers”, “Kaa's Hunting” and “Tiger, Tiger”. Another unique feature of Kipling's jungle book is that each story is followed by a series of couplets which may be parodies or just sing along verses.
Followed by Mowgli's three tales, Kipling presents “White Seal” where the readers are taken to the frigid climes of the Bering sea where seals are hunted indiscriminately. He tells the story of Kottick a furry white seal who takes upon himself to lead his family to a safe haven with out hunters. In “Toomai of the elephants” Rudyard Kipling tells about a boy who wants to be an elephant handler and is informed about the myth of the Elephant dance. A magical night with the elephants gets Toomai his night to remember and the reader a tale never to forget. Then comes the “Servants of the Queen” where a British officer eavesdrop the conversation between the camp animals in the night gaining more insights about his own life and his friends.
Btu my favorite is “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”, the story of a spunky mongoose who is adopted by a genteel Anglican family. He protects the family against the vicious cobra's Nag and Nagina. The effervescent tale about the snakes, their family, their children and Rikki's friends Darzee the bird all come together in a memorable way.
All these charming stories may enthrall children, but these are for adults too, because adults are the ones who need more humanism in their life. Where can you learn to be a better human but from our diverse animal life.

Plain tales from the hills (published in 1888) - Written by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, a Nobel laureate was born in India to a vivacious Alice Kipling and sculptor Painter, John Kipling. His works range from poems, to children's books. Rudyard was a English language writer whose prose is peppered with colloquial usage and languages mainly from India which opens a window to the prevailing culture and customs of the time. His children's stories are the most endured classics of the time and his short stories are the most sought after. Many of his works are deemed to be controversial as the time progressed. Rudyard Kipling was the product of an imperial India where imperialism under Queen Victoria was at its heights. His poems like "White Mans Burden" are often sited as a clarion call for the imperialist and has been criticized by subsequent humanist. But as one of the youngest Nobel Prize recipient for English Language, the place for Kipling in human history cannot be discounted and his prose and poems enthuse millions even today.
Plain stories from the hills are a collection of short stories penned by Kipling during his stay in India as a journalist. Out of the 40 stories, about 15 to 20 of them were published in the Civil and Military gazette, the paper for which Kipling worked for and the rest were new ones. These stories depict the various facets of life in imperial India, the lives of the natives and the English Sahibs. He often puts up a satirical look on the ways and behavior of the English who treat the natives like untouchables.



Many of the stories are set in Shimla which used to be the summer capital of British India. Most of the Englishmen would shift to the hill station to escape from the heat of the plains. Here the traditions of British India along with the Indian elite produced a different world itself. The stories also are set up among the natives who are portrayed in a simple fashion and in the plains of India.
Here his recurring characters namely Mrs Hauksbee, Policeman Strickland and the Soldiers three appear. The most common refrain of Mrs Hauksbee who cannot suffer stupidity "What fools men are!" starts from this book. The tales include Lispeth,Three and - an Extra, Thrown Away, Miss Youghal's Sais, Yoked with an Unbeliever, False Dawn, The Rescue of Pluffles Cupid's Arrows, The Three Musketeers, "His Chance in Life", Watches of the Night, "The Other Man", Consequences, The Conversion of Aurelian McGoggin, The Taking of Lungtungpen, A Germ-Destroyer, Kidnapped, The Arrest of Lieutenant Golightly, In the House of Suddhoo, His Wedded Wife, The Broken-link Handicap, Beyond the Pale, In Error, A Bank Fraud, Tod's' Amendment, The Daughter of the Regiment, In the Pride of his Youth, Pig, The Rout of the White Hussars, The Bronckhorst Divorce-case, Venus Annodomini, The Bisra of Pooree, A Friend's Friend, The Gate of the Hundred Sorrows, The Madness of Private Ortheris, The Story of Muhammad Din, On the Strength of a Likeness, Wressley of the Foreign Office, By Word of Mouth, To be Filed for Reference
My personal favorite is Miss Youghal's Sais, which tells the story of the class divide. Strickland is a policeman of English Origin who has to mix with the locals and is looked down upon by the English Elite. He meets and falls in love with Youghal, a English girl whose mother forbids the relation. He disappears and disguises as a native and gains employment as her groom. As their love affair continues, a General who is smitten by Youghal's charm flirt with her. This is too much for Strickland who reprimands him. The good natured General forgives him and get them together. Good stories for the soul.

The Pigeon Project (published in 1979) by Irving Wallace - the elixir of youth

Irving Wallace was born in Chicago, to Jewish parents,Bessie and Alexander Wallace Who had Emigrated from Russia. He completed his studies in California and started out as a journalist at a tender age of 15. He studied creative writing at the Williams Institute in Berkley and from the mid-30s he worked as a free-lance correspondent. In 1941 he married Sylvia Kahn; they had two children. Irving Wallace served in the air force during world war two and later collaborated in several movies as a writer. His first book “Sins of Peter Fleming" did not attract much attention. But his second book influenced by the Kinsey report was a best seller. He has been a prolific churner of best sellers and his books have been adapted as major movies.
What do you do if you can attain eternal life, beauty and youth? Will you prefer living for ever, even after all your loved ones and friends have gone? Even if you attain the elixir of youth would you keep it for yourself or you will share it with mankind. These are the answer's the Pigeon Project is looking for.



Professor Davis Macdonald, an American scientist working in the USSR has discovered the elusive formula which will prolong the life span indefinitely. This fountain of youth or the Elixir is one of the most coveted boon for mankind throughout its history. Now that the formula is perfected the Soviets want it all for them selves and are definitely not willing to share it with the world.

So MacDonald flees the country, ostensibly to attend a medical conference in Venice. The Soviets send in agents to track down the professor and his invention. They enlist the support of the Italian communist to seal all the escape route's and block Venice.
Tim Jordan is an American writer working in Venice, and he accidentally bumps in to the the scared Macdonald. He befriends the hapless professor and promises to help him. So begins the action with Tom and professor trying to remain one step ahead of their pursuer. In his frantic efforts to safeguard the professor Tom puts him up with friends ans acquaintances. But betrayal follows him everywhere, even from one of his most trusted friend. Soon many others join the quest for the elusive dream of youth. This includes, a sexy film star, an American millionaire, a wily priest and a countess. This action packed story moves through the streets ans canals of Venice involving, speed boats, helicopters and car chases. The whole adrenaline punch is prepared by the massive lock out of Venice where escape is thwarted even at the last minute. So Tom manages to get the professor out along with a beautiful love at the end of the story.
The best thing about the book is the description of Venice ny the author. He has researched every nook and corner of the city which is evident from his graphic and eloquent presentation. It almost reds as a Lonely Planet's description of Venice.
This is not my favorite book of Irving Wallace. The premise of the Elixir of Youth has high potential with lot of philosophical and spiritual questions attached to it. Wallace does not address this part of the story and focuses just on the action side. Anyway it is a well narrated story and makes up a cool time pass.