The Story of India by Michael Wood - 2008

Ebury Publishing/TBI, 2008. First edition. Softcover. New. The Story Of India is a six part BBC documentary covering the history of the subcontinent. This book is a companion publication to this popular television series. India has always held a fascination for people from other countries, with its ancient culture and the rich diversity that makes the country so colorful and interesting. Now, India is on the way to becoming a global economic power. This has awakened increased interest in the country. This book takes the reader on a fascinating exploration of the region, its history and culture. The author travels from the Khyber Pass and the snow covered peaks of the Himalayas down to the humid, tropical jungles of southern India. As he does so, the author traces the evolution of the culture and civilization of the region, and the many monuments that stand testimony to its tangible achievements. The author traces the regions history from the time of the first human settlement of the subcontinent, as the early humans moved out of Africa. It then explores the dawn of the ancient civilization and culture of the country, and goes on to cover the time of the Buddha. It looks at the great historical personalities, from emperors like Ashoka, Samudragupta and Akbar to modern leaders like Gandhi and Nehru. It is a combination of a travelogue and a history of the region, as the author explores the architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal and other monuments. He explores the contributions made by India in many fields of science, and its cultural contributions to the world. It is an intriguing attempt to fit the 10,000 year old rich and vibrant history of the subcontinent into a book of around 300 pages. But, the author has managed it beautifully. He has presented the story of a region that was the cradle of the most influential of the ancient civilizations of the planet, a region that gave birth to four major religions in the world. The content of this book is rich, with photographs and illustrations that convey the vibrancy and the culture of the country. This aptly complements the text that paints a vivid portrait of India through all times, past, present, and future. Printed Pages: 336. NA