Book Review: 500 Places to see before they disappear

500 Places to See Before They Disappear by Holly Hughes and Larry West; Wiley Publishing Inc; Price: $19.99; 472 pp.

Global warming, climate change, deforestation, destruction of natural habitats, reduction of national park areas and melting glaciers etc are causing great changes in the way we have known the earth to be. When one reads the title of this book it would be tough to imagine that there could places on the earth which could disappear, but the unfortunate truth is that there are many more than 500 places which are in danger of disappearance due to various man-made reasons. 500 Places to See Before They Disappear is a compilation of the information on the world's most fragile wonders.

At the face on might get the impression that this book contains information about forests, glaciers, mountains, lakes and other natural places, but this volume has information about man-made wonders too. “Though this book was originally conceived as a handbook for eco-tourists, it soon became clear that we couldn’t separate natural and man-made attractions. After all, historical and cultural landmarks are part of the environment, too. If changes in the natural environment have threatened the piping plover, the Tasmanian devil and the mountain gorilla, so too have changes in our cultural environment threatened classic amusement parks, ballparks and movie palaces. Our planet is poorer every time we allow something to die,” writes Holly Hughes, the New York-based globally traveled editor and writer who has also written fiction and also edits the annual Best Food Writing anthology.

From Canada to Chile, Russia to Africa and India to Japan, 500 Places to See Before They Disappear has information about numerous locations which are suffering from the onslaught of modern development. This volume enables passionate travelers and eco-conscious individuals to learn about and plan a visit to see rare cultural, historic, and natural places before they are get permanently, irreversibly changed or disappear. These include exotic landscapes, fragile ecosystems, rare animal, bird and big game habitats, cityscapes, vanishing cultural kitsch, petroglyphs, and more.

500 Places to See Before They Disappear is ideal for school and university libraries where young students can access information about the changes that are taking place in locations across the world and the natural and man-made heritage we are slowly but surely losing.

When I saw the book my first interest was to check out how many places in India are listed in the volume. After reading the book I am quite shocked to note that 19 places in India are in danger of disappearing completely. These include the world heritage sites of Ajanta Caves, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary, the Great Stupa of Sanchi, Rock shelters of Bhimbetka, Sundarbans National Park, Taj Mahal, Temples of Khajuraho and the Valley of Flowers of National park.

Each fast-disappearing location has been profiled in great detail along with pictures and accounts on its history, nature of the threat it is facing, and why it’s been included. And of course there is quite a bit of brief practical information on how to visit, and what visitors can to do protect it. The easy-to-use geographical index at the end of the book makes reading the book all the more easier. This index helps travelers locate attractions in and around the locations they are traveling to.

There is a definite US spin to the endangered places featured in the volume. The places in the US are listed as per their geographical location. There are seven endangered sites in Texas including the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Caddo Lake State Park and Houston Astrodome. 500 Places to See Before They Disappear is doing a great public service by bringing these places to the notice of everyone so that people could take steps to extend their life and prevent them from disappearing fast.

Book Review: The Courtesan and the Sadhu

The Courtesan and the Sadhu, A novel about Maya, Dharma, and God by Satya Avatar; Dharma Vision LLC; Price: $20.95; 361

One of the most difficult challenges that every Hindu parent living in western societies faces is how to educate their children about the complexities of Sanatana Dharma. With its multitudes of gods, numerous texts, hundreds of sampradayas, thousands of religious gurus and numerous regional, caste, and linguistic communities, Hinduism is perhaps the most fragmented religion in the world. One of the reasons for Sanatana Dharma aka Hinduism to be such is its open and accepting philosophy. Hence there is not one straightforward, black and white way by which one can explain all the tenets of Hinduism to children, teenagers, and young adults. This ambiguity in the faith often leads to fundamental questions in a teenager’s mind.

This need to explain Hinduism to his teenaged son motivated Satya Avatar, who hails from Mysore, Karnataka (South Indian) to write a novel drawing heavily upon certain historical incidents in India’s history. “More than four years ago, my son came to me and asked me how we related to God in Sanatana Dharma. As I progressed in formulating an answer to my son’s question, it occurred to me that the best way to explain the basic tenets of Sanatana Dharma to my teenage son was to write a novel set in ancient India and explain the tenets through the spiritual journey of the characters in the story,” writes the author who came to the United States in 1978 to pursue graduate studies at State University of New York at Buffalo where he received his Ph.D in 1981. Since then he has worked in the high-tech industry where he has held several technical and management positions in research and development, product management, and marketing.

Set in ancient India just after Alexander’s invasion, The Courtesan and the Sadhu takes the reader through the spiritual journey of two seekers: Kautilya and Manu. The former is a highly learned and erudite Vedic scholar, whose life takes an unexpected detour, and he ends up building the Mauryan Empire. Although successful in re-establishing dharmic values in the Indian subcontinent and getting rid of the vestiges of Alexander’s invasion, he continues to have inner struggles about the path he has chosen.

Manu, the other seeker, is an elite warrior in the Mauryan Army but ends up becoming a seeker of Truth at a young age. Disappointed in love, he tries to find answers to his spiritual questions, first as a Buddhist monk and later as a Sadhu. In this story, the author takes the reader through the intriguing journey of the two seekers as they finally overcome Mâya to reach Moksha (emancipation).

The book starts off with Kautilya being asked by a Greek (Yavana) general to modify the Vedas and perform a yagna (vedic ceremony) to praise his accomplishments. A completely angry Kautilya decides to take matters into his hands and seek help of the king of Patliputra to chase the Yavanas out of the Arya land (India). “As Kautilya entered Pataliputra, he was surprised to see that it was much larger than he had imagined. It was a well-planned city with large boulevards and stately buildings. The city was bustling with commerce, and trade. There were stores stocked with expensive and fine jewelry, clothes, and furniture. Many stores were selling vegetables, grains, and wine. He could also see many dance halls, restaurants, and temples,” explains the author speaking about Kautilya’s journey.

One of the most interesting facets of The Courtesan and the Sadhu is that apart from being an absorbing story, the book subtly teaches the readers about Hindu theology and scriptures. Written in the deceptively simple style characteristic of American writing Satya Avatar effectively communicates the anger, insecurity, adventure, pains, fears, and wonderment the characters of the story. The author has taken pains to describe in exacting detail the various aspects of his story and how they relate to various aspects of the Sanatana Dharma and its allaccepting philosophy. This book would be highly useful to all those people who wish to learn about Hinduism and its philosophy.

“It is interesting to note that for Manu and Kautilya, Dharma without a Creator God was not acceptable, whereas for Chit-Ananda and Chandra Gupta, the existence of a Creator God was immaterial. What mattered to them was the spiritual experience in the material world. The greatness of people of Aryavarta is that they respect and honor all these paths with or without a Creator God,” concludes Satya Avatar in the epilogue of his Magnum Opus.

Movie Review: Red Fury

Another Horse and Child Movie
Director: Lyman Dayton
Story and Screenplay: Joe Elliott
Cast: William Jordan, Katherine Cannon, Calvin Bartlett, Alan Hale Jr. and others
United States is a nation built on a foundation of illusion, and dream, supported by commerce. The Euro Americans who migrated and colonized this continent have successfully created the illusion across the world that they are indeed the owners of this continent and not the "Native Americans" aka "First Nations People" or the Nations which existed before the entry of "foreigners" from Europe.
Among all the movies I have seen which have "Native American" characters, there are only two types of "Native Americans": the villainous, savages who are out to rob, kill, rape, and loot and the "good" tribal who will serve his/ her benevolent white master loyally, sometimes even at the cost of his/ her life.
This movie also follows the tradition of several others in which they show that some white people are racist and discriminate against "Native Americans" and others are kind and supportive of them. Throughout the movie there is no mention that these immigrant White people displaced them and killed those who refused to give up their land and move on.
Anyway coming back to the story. The story is about "Frankie" a native American boy who falls off a train and gets separated from his family. He is given shelter, food, and employment by a horse breeder whose wife and son have died due to disease. Frankie has a way with horses and tames the most belligerent stallion which his master owns. When Frankie saves his masters life, the latter promises him anything he asks for. The horse lover he is, Frankie asks for ownership rights of the stallion and names it "Red Fury".
Meanwhile there is a twist to the story, the local school teacher visits the home and asks Frankie's master to send him to school. When Frankie arrives at the school the parents of White kids are opposed to the idea and the white kids are also not welcoming of him. The next two days are full of humiliating experiences to Frankie, when he is charged with picking up fights, stealing, and other things. The third day in a school board meeting it is decided that Frankie will be expelled from school. Unable to bear this grave injustice the teacher also decides to resign and teach Frankie separately.
Then comes the final twist to the story which ensures that Frankie regains the respect and love of those people who hated him just because he was different. I would not like to reveal the plot here, but I would like to say something about the message this type of movies deliver. It only says that despite all the humiliations and atrocities that "Native Americans" suffered they are good people and continue to help their oppressors "White people". That most white people are simply racist and judge people based on their skin color. The movie emphasizes that for a Native American or any other colored person has to be better than the best to just be accepted in White society. It is like one has to beat the world record before entering the race. Isn't that stupid???

Movie Review: The Palm Beach Story

Hilarious Romantic Flick
I usually don't like watching romance movies often called as Chick Flicks. I kinda sat down to watch this 1942, Black and white, romance movie for lack of something better to do. On retrospect I don't think it was a waste of time watching this movie. Written and directed by Preston Sturges and with Claudette Colbert and Loel McCrea playing the lead pair this movie is definitely worth watching once.
The movie starts with a strikingly beautiful housewife of a struggling engineer husband trying to save herself from being evicted from the apartment for non-payment of rent. She receives the kindness of an old gentleman who bumps into her while inspecting her apartment and manages to settle all the debts and get to square one. Her frustration leads her to decide to divorce her husband and get married to a rich man. The husband played by Joel McCrea detests the idea and tries to convince her against it. But adamant as she is Claudette boards the train to Palm Beach where it is easiest to get a divorce.
What follows is her completely hilarious train ride experience which is paid for by the Ale and Quail Club members, a bunch of rich, alcoholics who are into hunting. Then next she meets with one of the richest men in the world who quite predictably takes fancy to her and showers her with gifts of expensive jewelry, clothes, shoes and handbags.
Meanwhile her love-lorn husband meets with the same old gentleman who gives him money to fly to Florida and bring his wife back. As advised Joel flies to Florida and what follows is a funny twist and turn comedy. Watch it to enjoy and know the full story. Here is a short trailer though.

Book Review: Into the Wild

Tragic Saga of a Spiritually Confused Rebellious American Young Man
Author: Jon Krakauer
Publisher:Anchor Books, New York, 1996, 207 pp.
Attracted by the title and the cover image of a youngster sitting on a bus, I bought this book in an estate sale for $1. This is the work of a journalist turned author who is also into outdoors and adventure sports. The book traces the journey of a rebellious, confused, young man Chris (Alexander) McCandles along the South, West and mid-west parts of North America till his death in Alaska.
The book starts off with a brisk pace with the picture of an optimistic, proud, Alex McCandles seeking a ride to Denali National Park, Alaska. Alex's intentions was to live off the land in the wild away from civilization for some time and discover himself.
What is intriguing about Alex is that he belongs to a fairly affluent family, ha gone to college and could have done whatever he wished. On the contrary he chose to live like a tramp often calling himself "Alexander Supertramp". An excerpt from his diary reveals that Alex "lived on the streets with bums, tramps, and winos for several weeks".
One thing is obvious the author has unnecessarily glorified the exploits and the tragic story of McCandles. In my opinion McCandles was nothing but a confused, high-energy young man with no emotional, and spiritual foundations. He had access to money and hence he could lead a wayward life. He drops his adventures midway when he suffers setbacks and moves to the next item, which makes him a person of weak resolve and scant dedication/ commitment. His story is worthy of telling because it displays the underlying confusion and mental and spiritual weakness of the youth of America. The story of McCandles has also been made into a major motion picture and quite predictably it did not do very well at the box office.
Though in substance the book is not path breaking in any sense. It doesn't offer any insight into life in the wild or the lessons one could learn while alone in the forest etc. But in terms of adventure, what not to do in the wild, and a good read this books scores above most of its peers. After reading the book I have two things to say, one it is a very well written book which makes the reader stick to it to completion; and two Americans especially its youth are in desperate need of true spiritual teaching. This kind of rebellious behavior which often ends up in self destruction like it did for McCandles would greatly reduce if only people are more spiritually aware of their place in the cosmos.

Book Review: The Modern Ark

Cover via Amazon

A Closer Look at Zoos and Conservation
Title: The MODERN ARK: The Story of Zoos: Past, Present, and Future
Author: Vicki Croke
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 272

Recently I was working on a college paper on the subject of necessity to ban captive breeding and rearing of tigers and other endangered exotic cats. In order to substantiate my paper I referred to this book as a scholarly work (secondary source). The Modern Ark by Vicki Croke is indeed an absorbing account about wildlife preservation, animal welfare, animal encounters, with the evolution of the Zoo as the central topic.

I wonder if the book, though scholarly work with several citations and reference is an easy read because of Croke's background in journalism. She writes an extremely popular "Animal Beat" column in The Boston Globe. This work of Croke is particularly important to everyone because she successfully puts across the thought that a nation's zoos are more a reflection of its culture than the animals on display. The history and evolution of zoos right from the Greek and Roman times to the present is well traced in this book. Like her other books The Lady and the Panda and Animal ER, The Modern Ark was a bestseller in its time.

Personally speaking I derived profound learning about wildlife conservation, captive breeding, zoo and related issues. The most astounding statistic I came across in this book is that since 1900 captive breeding experiments have been conducted with an intention of introducing captive bred creatures into the wild. But out of 13 million animals only a few thousand have actually succeeded. This presents an ominous warning to us, human beings, that restraining ourselves from destroying the natural habitats of wild animals is the only way to protect them and us. Because whatever some of us may argue, survival of wild animals is vital to survival of the Human race.

If you have any interest in wildlife, zoos, nature, and environment, then you must read this book.

A Satire on War

Movie: Catch-22
Director: Mike Nichols
I watched this 1970 movie yesterday. The movie is completely set in a war field, I don't know which one. At times it seems like World War II and at times there is no clue as to which war it is. The bottom line is that the Americans are fighting Italians. The story revolves around Captain Yossarian (Alan Arkin), the bombardier of a flying squadron. He has already flown 25 missions and wants to go back home. As per the law all flying squadrons should be rotated after 25 missions, but since the air force is severely understaffed the colonel continuously increases the number of required missions before rotation.
Yossarian rebels against this and is told to shut up and keep flying. Then there is the character known as Milo who turns the entire war into a business in which the army is the enterprise. Milo sells everything parachutes, blankets, first aid kits, etc and buys Egyptian cotton, art works, dry fruits, oil, granite stones, etc to sell in international markets. He even rounds up all the prostitutes in the town and starts an air force whorehouse.
This movie is certainly funny and exposes the murky underbelly of any army during a war. The movie depicts the fact that while fighters keep dying for the country the corrupt end up making money and attain glory. People like Yossarian who don't fit into this kind of an army end up frustrated and persecuted.
I guess that is what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan! Here is a trailer of the movie for you all to watch.

Hilarious Family Movie

Title:Imagine That
Starring: Eddie Murphy and others
Genre: Family

With nothing much else to do on Saturday night we decided to head out for a movie at the Dollar theater. My feeling is going to a regular theater is just not worth the money ($8-12). Only this movie caught our fancy because of its funny theme.

Well what do I tell you about the movie? My early memories of Eddie Murphy is from his role as a cop in Beverly Hills Cop. He was a serious, no-nonsense policeman busting drug cartels, and beating up thugs. Now he seems to have retired from that role and taken up comedy, and he is doing a darn good job at that.

Imagine That features Eddie Murphy in the role of a single parent grappling with a serious job as an investment banker. He is faced by two major challenges, one at the work place where a competitor calling himself "..... White Feather" is threatening to take his job. At home his daughter is hallucinating about a magical land with three princesses, a queen, and a dragon.

The final message of the movie is delivered by Murphy's estranged wife "You have two jobs, one at the office and the other as a father. You need to give equal importance to both." Whew... I wonder why people in America consider parenting as a "Job". Anyway how he realizes the importance of being a parent and wins the sought after promotion is the gist of the story.

Watch out for some really funny scenes, dialogues, and acting. It is a movie of clean fun and entertainment for the entire family.