Indian Art - Partha Mitter

This concise yet lively new survey guides the reader through 5,000 years of Indian art and architecture. 
A rich artistic tradition is fully explored through the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Colonial, and contemporary periods, incorporating discussion of modern Bangladesh and Pakistan, tribal artists, and the decorative arts.
Combining a clear overview with fascinating detail, Mitter succeeds in bringing to life the true diversity of Indian culture. 
The influence of Islam on the Mughal court, which produced the world-famous Taj Mahal and exquisite miniature paintings, is closely examined.
More recently, he discusses the nationalist and global concerns of contemporary art, including the rise of female artists, the stunning architecture of Charles Correa, and the vibrant art scene. 
 The very particular character of Indian art is set within its cultural and religious milieu, raising important issues about the profound differences between Western and Indian ideas of beauty and eroticism in art.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 3.74 out of 5 (27 Ratings, 1 Review)

My Rating:  4 out of 5. 

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Between the Serpent and the Rope - Mukunda Rao

Ashrams, Traditions, Avatars, Sagesand Con Artists

Between the serpent and the rope is a candid reckoning of some of the most notable spiritual movements in South India today. 
If it is on the one hand a deeply personal journey, on the other, it is an inquiry into the meaning and significance of spirituality in modern - day India. 
The book examines notions of enlightenment, freedom, wisdom and peace through multiple perspectives and spiritual traditions. 
The narrative is a treasure trove of fascinating stories and an illuminating study of the lives and teachings of spiritual masters such as Sankaracharya, Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi, Ramana Maharshi, Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, Jiddu Krishnamurti and U.G. Krishnamurti.
 It is also a scathing take on the modern - day avatars and gurus that include Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Kalki Bhagavan, Sri Sri Ravishankar and Mata Amritanandamayi. 
Large hearted yet questioning, it is as inspiring as it is challenging.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 3.0 out of 5 (1 Ratings, 0 Review)

My Rating:  3 out of 5. 

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Lateral Thinking - Edward de Bono

A Textbook of Creativity

THE classic work about improving creativity from world-renowned writer and philosopher Edward de Bono.
In schools we are taught to meet problems head-on: what Edward de Bono calls 'vertical thinking'. 
This works well in simple situations - but we are at a loss when this approach fails. 
What then? 
Lateral thinking is all about freeing up your imagination.
Through a series of special techniques, in groups or working alone, Edward de Bono shows how to stimulate the mind in new and exciting ways. 
Soon you will be looking at problems from a variety of angles and offering up solutions that are as ingenious as they are effective. 
You will become much more productive and a formidable thinker in your own right.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 3.83 out of 5 (1841 Ratings, 96 Reviews)

My Rating:  2 out of 5.  A path-breaking technique, but a very insipid treatment of the subject.

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(Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.)

User Story Mapping by Jeff Patton & Peter Economy

Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product

User story mapping is a valuable tool for software development, once you understand why and how to use it. 
This insightful book examines how this often misunderstood technique can help your team stay focused on users and their needs without getting lost in the enthusiasm for individual product features.
Author Jeff Patton shows you how changeable story maps enable your team to hold better conversations about the project throughout the development process. 
Your team will learn to come away with a shared understanding of what you’re attempting to build and why.

• Get a high-level view of story mapping, with an exercise to learn key concepts quickly
• Understand how stories really work, and how they come to life in Agile and Lean projects
• Dive into a story’s lifecycle, starting with opportunities and moving deeper into discovery
• Prepare your stories, pay attention while they’re built, and learn from those you convert to working software

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 4.32 out of 5 (164 Ratings, 23 Reviews)

My Rating:  3 out of 5. 

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Buy the Kindle  version
(Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.)

A Little History of The World - E.H. Gombrich

In 1935, with a doctorate in art history and no prospect of a job, the 26-year-old Ernst Gombrich was invited to attempt a history of the world for younger readers.
Amazingly, he completed the task in an intense six weeks, and "Eine kurze Weltgeschichte fur junge Leser" was published in Vienna to immediate success, and is now available in twenty-five languages across the world.
In forty concise chapters, Gombrich tells the story of man from the stone age to the atomic bomb.
In between emerges a colorful picture of wars and conquests, grand works of art, and the spread and limitations of science.
This is a text dominated not by dates and facts, but by the sweep of mankind's experience across the centuries, a guide to humanity's achievements and an acute witness to its frailties.
The product of a generous and humane sensibility, this timeless account makes intelligible the full span of human history.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 4.06 out of 5 (6731 Ratings, 806 Reviews)

My Rating:  4 out of 5. 

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Buy the Kindle  version
(Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.)

Kanban in Action - Marcus Hammarberg & Joakim Sunden

Too much work and too little time? 

If this is daily life for your team, you need kanban, a lean knowledge-management method designed to involve all team members in continuous improvement of your process. Kanban in Action is a practical down-to-earth, no-frills, get-to-know-the-ropes introduction to kanban.
Written by two kanban coaches who have taught the method to dozens of teams, the book covers techniques for planning and forecasting, establishing meaningful metrics, visualizing queues and bottlenecks, and constructing and using a kanban board.
Written for all members of the development team, including leaders, coders, and business stakeholders. 
No experience with kanban is required.

What's Inside 

•     How to focus on work in process and finish faster
•     Examples of successful implementations
•     How team members can make informed decisions

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 4.19 out of 5 (79 Ratings, 20 Reviews)
My Rating:  4 out of 5. 

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The Big Book of Team Building Games - John W. Newstrom & Edward Scannell

Quick, Fun Activities for Building Morale, Communication and Team Spirit 
Did you know that games can be a terrifically effective way to build team spirit, communication, and trust among people who work together day in and day out?

Team-building games and activities are so stimulating and enjoyable that everyone in the department actually looks forward to them! 
Now you can choose from 70 varied and imaginative games and activities that have been specifically designed for the manager who's looking to:

• Raise sagging morale in a department
• Liven up boring staff meetings
• Improve communication
• Promote a culture of harmony and cooperation
• Have fun with your work team

Each of these games is fast, creative, easy-to-lead, and will help you accomplish your team building goals.
Learn valuable tips on how to present games and how to select activities for particular situations. 
Get essential advice on what not to do when leading games, and much more!
 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.in]
 

Goodreads Rating - 2.0 out of 5 (46 Rating, 2 Reviews) 
My Rating:  2 out of 5. 

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