An introduction to the traditions and inhibitions of one of the more complex societies, this examination of Indian society, geography, politics and culture is the result of travel rather than scholarship. This edition has a new opening chapter setting the country into the context of the present.
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About the Author
John Keay's recent books include Sowing the Wind: The Mismanagement of the Middle East 1900-1960 and Last Post: The End of Empire in the Far East. He lives in Scotland and is married to the author Julia Keay. Together they edited the Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland and are now revising the London Encyclopaedia.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic!!
11 Oct 2001
By "sankalp"
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
If you are looking for an introduction to India that goes deep below the surface and yet does not fill up pages - this is the book. This book is a classic and no review will do full justice to it.
The book is organized geographically and for each of those regions Keay gives us a view of the people, culture and tourist places in that order of importance.
People seem to be of most importance to Keay and perhaps rightly so. All important "types" of social groups are described along with "how" and "why" they are unique. The "types" are according to region, caste, religion or sect or a combination of these. Culture is also described vividly and contrasted well and somewhere in this history is put in to give a perspective on things.
It is a highly recommended reading among books on India in English language and tourists and students would benefit alike from it.
The book is organized geographically and for each of those regions Keay gives us a view of the people, culture and tourist places in that order of importance.
People seem to be of most importance to Keay and perhaps rightly so. All important "types" of social groups are described along with "how" and "why" they are unique. The "types" are according to region, caste, religion or sect or a combination of these. Culture is also described vividly and contrasted well and somewhere in this history is put in to give a perspective on things.
It is a highly recommended reading among books on India in English language and tourists and students would benefit alike from it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An up to date book, decades old!
13 Oct 2003
By steve estvanik
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Into India was written 30 years ago, and has not changed much in its reprintings. It's simply the best introduction you can find to India - the land, culture and people. Organized geographically, each chapter purports to describe an area such as 'North' or 'Central' India, but Keay skillfully combines local descriptions with a more general discourse. Thus a discussion of a local Jain community leads to a history of the sect. Religion, culture and history are presented in parallel, and combine to create a multidimensional view.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Into India a good start
2 July 2002
By Robert King
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
For the Western reader, there is precious little that clearly explains the history, art, culture and society of India. John Keay is one of the few qualified writers filling the void about India's history and people including a piece for the Atlantic Monthly. Although one of the reviews criticizes Into India for not covering the pervasive corruption in India, I recommend that you click on the index page view of this work to get a glimpse of just how comprehensive this book is. I do like the reviewer's suggestion to read Naipaul. I would add, from the galaxy of talented writers coming out of India, Manil Suri, Arundahati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Raj Kahal, Akhil Sharma, Amit Chaudhuri, Mira Kamdar, and one of my favorites from British Vancouver, Anita Rau Badami, for those who want to understand the frustrations and fulfilments of living in India. Keay's Into India is certainly an excellent place to start and worth the space on any library shelf.
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