Thing Explainer - Randall Munroe

This was a book, which, after I finished reading it, filled me with an overwhelming sense of regret: I should have read this 20 years ago... Never mind the fact that the book was only published last year (2015)

From nuclear bombs, computer data centers to tectonic plates, from dishwashers, space shuttles to Large Hadron Collider, from animal cells to skyscrappers... This book explains more than 60 complex technical, physical or biological phenomena using just a thousand common words, and beautiful line drawings. It distills the essence of each of these topics to its bare bones and teaches us about them without using incomprehensible jargon.

And, what makes it even more enjoyable is the wry humor that fills every page. For example, consider this entry for the Saturn V rocket, describing its rocket nozzles: "Fire comes out of here. These should point to the ground when you're going to space. If they start pointing to space, you're having a bad problem, and you will not go to space today."

This book is truly one of its kind, and worth every penny. I love pizza and often use it as a standard to compare prices. Skip a medium-size pizza and buy this book; the knowledge gained will last a life time, for you and your kids.

O Jerusalem!

Just finished reading "O Jerusalem!" by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins; and also its Marathi counterpart "इस्रायेल छळाकडून बळाकडे" .

Both these books portray a chilling, intriguing story of how the state of Israel came into being; its struggle to maintain its independence against the wrath of Arab countries and its victory in the Sixty Day War. Reading this history reveals a stark contrast between the iron will and pragmatic vision of Israeli leaders as against the ghastly errors of judgement made by the Indian national leadership at the time of our independence. 
These books are not an easy read; but exactly for this reason, they should be read.

Hindustani Classical on YouTube

Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki

Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki in his prime years, performing two bandishes (ए री सखी आज मोहे व रंग से रंग दि) for a Mumbai Doordarshan programme in early 1980s. 
He is accompanied by my mama Pdt Raghunath Phadke on taanpura.And it turns out that the other person on taanpura is also my mama: Jayant Phadke!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8zxusv04OM

Pdt Prabhakar Karekar

"प्रिये पहा, रात्रीचा समय सरुनी येत उष:काल हा!"....
'संगीत सौभद्र' मधील हे एक अजरामर नाट्यगीत. अनेक गायक -- गायिकांनी आपल्या गान-वैशिष्ट्यानुसार ते सादर केले आहे. पण पं. प्रभाकर कारेकर यांच्या खुल्या, दाणेदार आवाजात हे गाणे एक आगळावेगळा अनुभव देऊन जाते. जरूर ऐका.

Others...

[Book] Aurangzeb - Sir Jadunath Sarkar

 I read "Aurangzeb" by Sir Jadunath Sarkar. 

Apart from chronicling the life of this last true Mughal emperor in complete detail, the book provides a comprehensive insight into political, social, economic, cultural, and geographical aspects of life and times of people during his reign. 
I have some reservations about the tone of language at a few places, especially in relation to Marathas, but it cannot be denied that this a well-researched book based on a huge number of original, authentic sources.

Incidentally, the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has undertaken a project to translate major historical treatises into Indian languages, and under this scheme, this book has been translated to Marathi by Professor Kolarkar.

Operation Blue Star - The True Story - Lt. Gen. K S Brar

Last weekend, I started (and finished!) reading "Operation Blue Star - The True Story" by Lt. Gen. K S Brar. 

Written by the commander who spearheaded this mission, this book is perhaps the most comprehensive and authentic account of one of the most important and unfortunate events of post-Independence era. The author provides details about the rise of Bhindranwale, failure of state and central governments to control his menace, reasons for military action, strategic and tactical planning, the actual commando attack and the aftermath. 

The text is direct, matter-of-fact and candid, and it is well-supplemented by over a dozen photographs and maps.

A Marathi translation of this book is also available.