This series is somewhat dated, but for an account of the countries covered upto the mid-1980s, the volumes are excellent. Covering millennia of history in a single, fairly brief volume is obviously a hugely challenging venture, and reading about one's own country is an especially enlightening experience, as we can judge the editors' choices of what to stress and what to ignore in the context of our own extra knowledge. In the case of this volume, I can say that they have covered most of the important aspects and events, covering the ancient as well as more recent periods. The photographs bring out the richness of the subcontinent's culture, architecture, and philosophical achievements. The accent is on the people and their communities- even the Taj Mahal is pictured not in its isolated splendour, but as a backdrop to human activity. I've taken off a star only because it is an old publication, but it does include the emergency during the 1970s and the birth of Bangladesh. A good feature is that it does not shy away from pointing out the deficiencies of the policies or the leaders where warranted. ( )

Time Life Books. Hardcover. No Jacket. Part Of The , ' Library Of Nations ' Series : Large Format . A Large Inset Photograph To The Front Cover.