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No Full Stops in India by Mark Tully
Review: Although this book provides insights into the culture and life of modern India, it is very poorly written. The prose is choppy and uninspiring. Mark Tully should stick to journalism. If you like to read good prose, do not buy this book.
Review: Excellent book, which explores a number of encounters which Mark Tully has had in his many years in India. He covers the practise of Sati excellently, an gives a real eye-opener to those of us to have misunderstood its nature and popularity. A very thoughtful book, written by someone who obviously understands a great deal about the Indian people.
Review: There is a little anecdote about Mark Tully from the days before television. If you went to an Indian village and said you were from BBC, they would ask if you were Mark Tully. If the answer was No, the villagers were disappointed. Such is the charm of Mark Tully and the place he enjoys in hearts and minds of many Indians, who grew up listening to BBC on AM radio. This book is most interesting in that it is a truthful depiction of the diversity and the finer nuances of India, normally visible or intelligible only to the most sensitive and intelligent of Indian minds and blocked out by most of the middle class, obscured by the daily struggle of living. He touches upon various themes including the continued stigma of untouchability in India, our colonial baggage and how it impacts our love of our own languages (compared to English and by the way the Indian constitution recognises 26 major languages, give and take a few), the Sati, the Kumbh Mela (widely televised in the UK last year). What is intriguing to most outsiders is how these ancient practices co-exist with the visions of modern India. That is where Mark Tully is different from others. Having spent many years in India, and living now in Delhi, he has not just seen it as tourist interest but as an introspective journalist analysed it all. One of the fascinating results is this book. Highly recommended if you want to understand the enigma of India (and Indians). If you are the Palace-on-wheels tourist, with all respect (since you bring dollars to the Indian economy), skip it. It might give you an upset stomach.
Review: This book is an eye openenr for every indian. It throws open new ways of looking at things happening in India. The life , culture and socail fabric have been picturised with a deep insight into the subject. Mark Tully makes the reader think and arrive at his conclusion leaving a deep impression of his thoughts.
Review: I am a typical modern Indian youth who knows his science and math well but doesn't have a clue about his culture or way of life. This book sparked my interest in learning about my own culture and appreciating it.
Review: Mark Tully blends his reporting objectivity and opinions in the essays he has written about different places and events that I could relate to in my time in India. Provides a very refreshing commentary on the different perspectives and at the same time finding enough room to provide his judgements.
The accounts of the Roop Kanwar episode and Operation Black Thunder have a historian's touch to them. DEfinitely a must read.
Review: This book gives a far more in depth picture of India than one is able to get by traveling around the country as a Westerner not familiar with the many languages of India. Tully has a great love for the country, but bares the many contradictions and conflicts that exist in the vast Indian society beyond the small English speaking elite.
Review: Mark Tully writes with great sympathy for India and this book of impressions is full of surprising insights. I recommend it strongly!
Review: A collection of 10 essays by Tully, this book presents some of the facets of Indian life in a very objective manner. Certainly, the content reflects the fact that Tully understands India as well as any Indian. He covered mostly politics and religion only. The books includes a few pictures too.
Review: Mark Tully is such a knowledgeable writer on India. This is a good book to read for an insight into what the country is like.
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