TITLE TRACK
The 12 Universal Laws of Success
by Herbert Harris
Pustak Mahal; pages 191; Rs 195

Authored by a former Time magazine journalist, columnist and consultant, this book splits up the principles of success into 12 basic laws that can be the guiding force in any sphere of life or work. The introduction addresses certain elementary issues like the target audience, ways to use the book effectively, the four stages of life, etc. In the subsequent chapters the author goes on to describe the various laws. The Law of Thought deals with self-image. The Law of Change lists the factors and obstacles involved in change. The Law of Vision, the Law of Command and Law of Focus deal with the setting of goals, self-motivation and self-discipline, respectively. The Law of Human Magnetism and Law of Value focus on attitudinal aspects, while the Law of Action lays out practical tips for goal achievement. The other laws relate to human relationships, supply, persistence and truth. The book presents the formulas in a simple, easy-to-read format with summaries and exercises at the end of each.

As the blurb of this slim and attractively packaged book points out, it is not only meant for those aspiring to join the medical profession, but "for anyone who has ever come into contact with doctors-which, of course, means everybody." Written in a fun style, aimed to appeal to even lay readers with its quotable quotes and eye-catching illustrations, the book traces the journey that a doctor traverses. Right from the conception stage, the time when the decision to join this profession is taken, to the subsequent struggle and toil that go into joining and then working in this field — the book takes a step-by-step look at the factors that shape and sustain a doctor. 'The Grime and the Glory' is particularly relevant for those making a career choice as it outlines the salary structure and specializations. Even issues like the dying tradition of the general practitioner (GP), compulsory service in the rural areas, relevance of grandma's prescriptions for ailments, etc are addressed. An issue of continuing concern like brain drain of medical professionals has been made enlivened by taking a fun look at the factors e.g 'superiority virus', 'governmentitits', 'materialism bug', 'chaos phobia', etc. Several success stories too are thrown in for inspiration.

This is basically a self-help book for those interested in improving or brushing up their vocabulary for competitive exams. It provides exercises to practice usage of nouns, adjectives, proverbs, synonyms, antonyms, prepositions and so on. For the uninitiated, it also spells out things like anagrams, palindromes, etc. There are sections on special subjects like Aussie expressions, More Aussie slangs, health terms, mountain terms, common foreign phrases and so on. "Wacky weirdos', 'Confusing words', 'Strange Bedfellows' and similar chapters deal with terms and phrases that are not commonly understood. By randomly jumping from one aspect of grammar to another, the book makes more for a casual perusal than a serious read.