Himalayan Odyssey
Reviewed by Nirupama Dutt
Nicholas Roerich: A Quest & A Legacy
Ed Manju Kak
Niyogi Books. Pages 257. Rs 1,495
Nicholas Konstantovich Roerich (1874-1947), a painter of Russian origin who made his spiritual abode in India, is a subject of interest over and again to art lovers, scholars and historians for he left behind a vast legacy of paintings. He is loved most for his unique rendering of the Himalayas in colour and form. The glossy volume has brilliant reproductions of his work as well as photographs that make him a legend. Besides, there are essays by reputed scholars, from home and abroad, probing his life and work and the volume is edited by writer and art historian Manju Kak.

Fiction

Journey from followers to leaders
Reviewed by Seerat Toor Grewal
Lean In
by Sheryl Sandberg
WH Allen. Pages 232. Rs 499
THE author has hit bang-on the inner reservations which the fairer sex constantly lives with and which withholds them from aiming high, which makes them take roles more compliant with their traditional images of being a caregiver, a nurturer to the family. Lean In is a documented account spread over 11 worthwhile chapters. The author has used a very candid approach to present a master plan, which boldly states the need for a major reinvention in a woman’s attitude to pursue an independent way of life.

Points of contact
Reviewed by Balwinder Kaur
Chaos Theory
by Anuvab Pal
Picador. Pages 211. Rs 499 
TWO people among the many at the first year welcome party drifting across the garden and wandering out of the principal’s house happen upon each other. The moment these two people meet instead of apathy, ambiguity or tolerance there is a connection, an almost audible sound of them clicking. It began with Shakespeare, they traded words albeit another’s words. Regurgitating Hamlet at a party while others were simply regurgitating.

Saga of devotion to duty
Reviewed by D S Cheema
Indelible Reminiscences, Memoirs of 
Major General Gurbakhsh Singh, Padma Shree,DSO,OBE
Lancer. Pages 308. Rs 795
MOST soldiers who take up the pen after retirement, write because they could not crib and complain or express their anguish during the service career over certain issues they strongly feel about. However, only few have the courage to write their experiences in an honest manner. Major General Gurbakhsh Singh, who proved his mettle under extreme adversity without compromising the dignity and self-respect of a true soldier, is one who belongs to that rare breed.

Giving, only to take it back 
Reviewed by Priyanka Singh
A Brief Hour of Beauty 
by Ammu Nair
Fingerprint! Pages 220. Rs 295
SEVEN years, 25,000 paintings. That’s the treasure trove of spectacular art work Clint left for his parents and the world. 

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