A prince once gave up everything to attain inner peace, creating the world’s most treasured and well-known coming-of-age story: Siddhartha’s journey to Enlightenment; his transformation from a mere mortal to an enlightened soul. Join Siddhartha, the ‘brooding dove’, as he wins Yashodhara’s hand in marriage, challenges his father-in-law, celebrates with wine and festivities and then, to everyone’s surprise and consternation, renounces it all. Seeking the path of the wise, he lay the noble path for us. This is the story of how an ordinary mortal came to see the light. Aged ninety-two, Shiv K. Kumar injects the wisdom of a lifetime of writing into this immortal tale, fashioning the Buddha’s story into, possibly, each of our own.

Random Thoughts is a collection of fifteen essays in literary criticism, some revised, improved and reprinted, and others in print for the first time. These essays are the outcome of the author’s intensive reading and revaluation of a wide variety of Indian, British, African, Singaporean and Pakistani writers and their works in English. Ranging from William Shakespeare to Rabindranath Tagore, from Edward Said to Salman Rushdie, from Chinua Achebe to Edwin Thumboo, from Shiv K. Kumar to K. N. Daruwalla, from Shashi Deshpande to Cyrus Mistry, they are the evidence of exercises in critical intelligence. In addition, there are essays focused on the nature and function of transparency in autobiography, theoretical perceptions about the author-text relationship, Indian feminism, Indian English children’s literature, the Buddhist vision in English literature, and Pakistani poetry in English. The book, thus, addresses the works of different literary genres – poetry, fiction, drama, memoir, and translation – sensitively and with a freshness of approach. Since these writers mostly figure in the university syllabi in India and abroad, the book is a valuable contribution to the body of literary criticism, and is especially useful for students, teachers, researchers and readers with an interest in English literature.

Indian English Literature refers to the body of work by writers in India who write in the English language and whose native or co-native language could be one of the numerous languages of India. Its early history began with the works of various Indian writers who consolidated Indian literature. It is also associated with the works of members of the Indian Diaspora such as V. S. Naipaul, Kiran Desai, Jhumpa Lahiri, Agha Shahid Ali, Rohinton Mistry and Salman Rushdie, who are of Indian descent. It is frequently referred to as Indo-Anglian literature. As a category, this production comes in the broader realm of post-colonial literature- the production from previously colonized countries like India. Indian Literature refers to the literature produced on Indian sub-continent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. At the same time we must recognize the individual talents of the present age who, for reasons other than literary merits, are relegated to the periphery. It is full of revelations as we discovered poets and novelists of the 19th century from this region of India that is generally considered barren in Indian literature in English.

A revered Apache spiritual and military leader and a recurring figure in pop culture lore, Geronimo was a key figure during the settlement of the American Southwest. He led one of the last major independent Indian uprisings and personified the struggle of Native Americans during westward expansion. Geronimo: A Biography explores the life of this legendary leader, a man who has become an icon of the courageous—and doomed—struggle of the Native Americans. This biography follows Geronimo's life from his traditional Apache upbringing to his final days as a celebrity prisoner of war. It discusses the historical and social forces at work during the period, including Native American traditions and lifeways. It also shows how Geronimo's surrender in 1886 marked the end of the traditional Native American way of life. No longer free to roam the lands of their forefathers, Indians faced a future of captivity and a struggle to maintain their identity and traditions.

This book offers a clear, concise account of the Eightfold Path prescribed to uproot and eliminate the deep underlying cause of suffering—ignorance. Each step of the path is believed to cultivate wisdom through mental training, and includes an enlightened and peaceful middle path that avoids extremes. The theoretical as well as practical angles of each of the paths—right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration—are illustrated through examples from contemporary life. The work's final chapter addresses the Buddhist path and its culmination in enlightenment.

The Rough Guide to Singapore is the ultimate travel guide to this constantly evolving city-state, with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions. Discover Singapore's highlights with stunning photography and accounts of everything from the magnificent new National Gallery and historic Botanic Gardens to the dazzling temples of Chinatown and the hilltop walks of the Southern Ridges. Find detailed practical advice on what to do and see in Singapore, with up-to-date reviews of the best hotels, restaurants, hawker places, bars, clubs and shops, for every budget. There's also a detailed description of the island's rich traditional Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines to help you order the tastiest food. Explore every corner of downtown Singapore and off the beaten track, with easy to use maps to help ensure you don't miss the unmissable. Make the most of your stay with The Rough Guide to Singapore.

World-renowned 'tell it like it is' guidebook Discover Singapore with this comprehensive, entertaining, 'tell it like it is' Rough Guide, packed with comprehensive practical information and our experts' honest and independent recommendations. Whether you plan to discover the historic ethnic enclave of Little India, enjoy a rooftop drink at Marina Bay Sands, indulge in an Orchard Road shopping spree or sample street food at bustling hawker centres, The Rough Guide to Singapore will help you discover the best places to explore, sleep, eat, drink and shop along the way. Features of The Rough Guide to Singapore: - Detailed regional coverage: provides in-depth practical information for each step of all kinds of trip, from intrepid off-the-beaten-track adventures, to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas. Regions covered include: The Colonial District, Little India, Chinatown, Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Northern Singapore, Eastern Singapore, Western Singapore, Sentosa. - Honest independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, and recommendations you can truly trust, our writers will help you get the most from your trip to Singapore. - Meticulous mapping: always full-colour, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Arab Street's hip cafés and boutiques, the surviving nineteenth-century streets of Chinatown, and many more locations without needing to get online. - Fabulous full-colour photography: features a richness of inspirational colour photography, including the colourful Botanic Gardens and the golden-domed Sultan Mosque. - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Little India's, Chinatown's, Arab Street's and the Colonial District's best sights and top experiences. - Itineraries: carefully planned routes will help you organise your trip, and inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences. - Basics section: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting there, getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more. - Background information: comprehensive Contexts chapter provides fascinating insights into Singapore, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books. About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.