The Accidental Prime Minister

The Accidental Prime Minister is a kind of unofficial biography of the greatest Prime Minister that India could have had but for his inherent shyness and introvertedness and the machinations of the Congress party loyalists close to the Family to ensure that no credit goes to the man or to anybody who is not from the Family. It is a strong and damning indictment of the Family, the psychopancy  of the Congress party leaders, the egotism of some of its stalwarts who could not see eye to eye with the PM, the egotripism of some senior bureacrats.  This man with impeccable credentials, distinguished educational background and rich experience could have been the greatest Prime Minister that India ever had because he had the vision for India but he was deliberately downplayed and not allowed freedom to do things his way. The book is absolutely brutal in its treatment of the political establishment especially that of the Ruling party and the Left leaders during the India US nuclear deal. Sanjaya Baru has spoken his heart of the person with whom he was closely associated during his tenure. After reading this book, one get's pure admiration for the man who has led India for the last 10 years. Highly recommended reading. Rating 5/5

Going Crazy by Otto Friedrich

"Going Crazy" by Otto Friedrich is a kind of biography or a history of insanity or madness through the ages. Otto does a good job in keeping the narrative flowing throughout the pages with first hand accounts by many patients. Apart from celebrated cases he has also dwelt on the ordinary people's lives disrupted by what he calls as "craziness" - by all accounts all of us are somewhat crazy at some times or other - it only varies by degrees, but while majority are able to keep their thoughts clear there are many who lose control of their minds. He has also written about the cures which in medieval times ranged from cruelty itself like chaining the patients to drugs, therapies etc. It was surprising to read that so many celebrated people had problems in their lives. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in different genres like non-fiction, biographies etc. Rating 5/5

Or I'll Dress you in Mourning

Or I’ll Dress You in Mourning is a powerful and deeply emotional biography of Manuel Benítez, known to the world as El Cordobés, one of Spain’s most celebrated and controversial bullfighters. 

Written by the acclaimed journalistic duo Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, the book goes beyond a mere chronicle of a torero’s life — it paints a vivid picture of post-Civil War Spain, riddled with poverty, pride, and passion. Through compelling narrative and extensive research, the authors trace Benítez’s rise from a destitute, fatherless boy to an icon of national identity. 

The book is as much about the resilience of the human spirit as it is about the dangerous glamour of the bullfighting arena. It also thoughtfully explores themes of fame, class struggle, and personal identity in Francoist Spain.

Gripping, cinematic, and poetic, Or I’ll Dress You in Mourning is a striking blend of biography and social history that leaves a lasting impression. Goodreads 5/5

Picture taken from the internet, not with an intention to violation of copyright. 

Down Melody Lane

Down Melody Lane by Raju Bharatan is a nostalgic and insightful journey through the golden era of Hindi film music. 

As a veteran music critic and insider, Bharatan brings deep personal knowledge and anecdotes about legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Naushad, R.D. Burman, and Mohammed Rafi. His writing combines historical detail with engaging storytelling, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of Bollywood music. 

While at times the tone may feel opinionated or biased, the book remains a rich tribute to the artists and melodies that shaped Indian cinema’s soundscape. A must-read for classic Bollywood music lovers. Goodreads 4/5

Picture taken from the internet not with an intention to violation of copyright