Review:This book concerns the year Dalrymple spends in Delhi, attempting to uncover the secrets and hidden past of this once-great city. Dalrymple skillfully weaves the accounts of his daily life with the history of Delhi. One moment, you are reading about a harrowing taxi-cab ride, and the next page, an account of Shah Jehan's life begins. Few writers can change the pace so suddenly and get away with it, but Dalrymple is able to segue into and out of topics effortlessly.

The pacing and tone of ... Read more

Review:The author describes India as profound and profane. That pretty much sums up her book as well. Maybe Disney Land with the whiff and splat of raw sewerage would be another summation of her india. She thoroughly investigates every single "ism" and geographic location on the sub continent. Calcutta is about the only place she doesn't visit. The book is thoroughly educational from a cultural, religious, and geographic stand point. In reading up on India for a coming visit she is one of the best... Read more

Review:This book concerns the year Dalrymple spends in Delhi, attempting to uncover the secrets and hidden past of this once-great city. Dalrymple skillfully weaves the accounts of his daily life with the history of Delhi. One moment, you are reading about a harrowing taxi-cab ride, and the next page, an account of Shah Jehan's life begins. Few writers can change the pace so suddenly and get away with it, but Dalrymple is able to segue into and out of topics effortlessly.

The pacing and tone of ... Read more