Two brothers come to school and do nothing but tell stories. A young woman works at the Indian Consulate in a major American city. A man goes to a singles dance. An unnamed narrator offers his "notes" on modern-day America. An old Jewish man in a nursing home tells the tale of his daughter. A retired man in India tries to collect his pension. A woman tells the story of her husband's death in partition India. A man goes from interview to interview, hoping for employment. Some stories are fable-like, others more realistic. However, all stories deal, in one way or another, with small, "mediocre" people -- people trying to fit into a world of bigness, applause, success.

Raghu Rai is one of the greatest Indian photographers. Impressed by an exhibition of his work, Cartier-Bresson nominated him to join Magnum in 1977. In India Notes, Rai shares his vision of India, documenting its excesses and contrasts. These striking images are supported by Terzani's text - lyrical odes to a beloved country, which he has learnt to know intimately. Terzani was the Asia correspondent for Der Spiegel for 30 years. He is also the author of numerous books, including A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound travels in the Far East, published by Flamingo in the UK.

Notes from an Indian Conservative is a compilation of Jaithirth (Jerry) Rao's electric writings which regularly appear in The Indian Express. The book has been written for the 'Indians of today, both in India an in voluntary or involuntary exile who have a love for their fractured land and who have a sensibility derived from our adoption and embrace of the English language.

A four-volume survey of the history, cultures, geography and religions of India from ancient times to the present day. Includes more than 600 entries, arranged alphabetically. For students and general readers.