Thursday, 31 December 2015

Book Review: The Nose by Nikolai Gogol

Rating: 3/5 stars

Absurd to the extent of a wild dream,but quite amusing nonetheless. Also sheds some light on the Russian society of early-mid nineteenth century.

You'll start seeing your nose in a different light after reading this novella and start giving it due respect too.




Book Review: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Rating: 3/5 stars

Here is a piece of disorganized mysticism. The story is fine but becomes logic defying time and again. But still, it proves to be inspirational for a great lot of people.

Candide by Voltaire is recommended after one has taken a high dose of optimism from Paulo Coelho.




Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Book Review: Good-Bye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton

Rating: 3/5 stars

Narrow in ambition but sentimental in essence, the novella follows the life of a British school teacher, Mr.Chips. He was an ordinary gentleman and perhaps an average educator. It also touches on the way school is affected by outside events like the First World War.
The story and characters are a bit dull for my liking but there is an emotional attachment with this novella. It was a part of our english curriculum in intermediate. Its memories are with me,though vague and consisting of bits and pieces. Our English teacher was nicknamed Mr.Chips and aptly so, because he was also a kind and amiable person.


Book Review: An Iron Will by Swett Marden Orison

Rating: 3/5 stars


In my opinion, Orison has, at times, over emphasized passion and perseverance at the cost of a balanced and rational approcah towards things. There are instances when sticking to something or striving heedlessly towards a goal may prove to be a wild goose chase.
However, this may not always be the case. Staying committed to a cause through thick and thin may yield incredible results too.
From that perspective, Oswel does well to lift one's spirits by laying stress on the power of will & also by recounting the stories where strength of will led to success.



Book Review: The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant

Rating: 4/5 stars

Unlike most books on philosophy, this one is jargon-free, as one should expect from Durant. However, he has emphasized equally if not more, on the lives of great philosophers rather than their ideas. But, this personal account of great lives is what makes ‘The Story of Philosophy’ an interesting read.


Book Review: How to Argue & Win Every Time: At Home, At Work, In Court, Everywhere, Everyday

Rating: 3/5 stars

Being a lawyer, I was looking for some new insights into the art of arguing that are more specific to my profession. But this book is more concerned with general nature of arguing in all spheres of life, including the court room.


Spence has laid great emphasis on show of emotions in one's arguments and he has also stressed the need of being honest and upright while arguing, thus he's an 'Anti-Machiavellian' sort of person and that reflects throughout his book.





Tuesday, 29 December 2015

Book Review: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Rating:1/5 stars


This senseless piece of writing is based on illogical thinking. It is meant to benefit from desperation of people, and in doing so, it may inject harmful beliefs into the reader's head that would surely prove counter productive in the long run.
The people, whom Rhonda has presented as practicing this so called 'secret', would start rolling in their graves if they came to know of such notions.