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Bookshelf
Welcome to the latest section of Alma Matters “Bookshelf” - a platform where people can share their comments, feelings and thoughts about various books they read. From business and economics to SCI-FI, thriller and comedy…please feel free to contribute to this section by writing to us at alumni_relations@isb.edu
Recommended Readings by Nirupam Srivastava
Nirupam is from the founding class and currently leads Business & Marketing Strategy, Consulting at IBM Strategy and Transformation Consulting. Prior to this, he was Head of Corporate Strategy/ M&A function at Schneider Electric. He straddles an interesting mix of business and customer strategy, corporate law and technology.
“How to win friends and influence people”, by Dale Carnegie
Well there is no bad time to read or re-read this book which is simple and still commands a slot in my recommended reading list. How many of us take it for granted or don't want to change ourselves due to our ego? I would also recommend applying these principles to family life as well because very often we give more importance to outsiders than to our own family members.
“Bhagwad Gita”, published by Gita press
This is quite a read even if you don't follow Hinduism. A bias for action is what appeals most to me. How to stop worrying about the past or future but make maximum of the present...relates to dichotomy that prevails in the human mind.
“Who says elephant can't dance”, by Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
I read this book before joining IBM, and nearly three years down the line with IBM now, I am still amazed at this huge machinery called IBM and how it keeps transforming itself. The book describes how Lou transformed IBM from near extinction and I now think that the sequel of this book is due, given that IBM has transformed again. The book also gives key insight into the creation of a competitive internal market and throws light on questions like "why do corporations exist?”
“An Idea Whose Time Has Come,” by Pramath Raj Sinha
This book traces ISB’s beautiful ten-year journey and discusses the challenges faced by the School in its founding years. The book is very helpful for institution building and understanding the ISB spirit.
Recommended Readings by Anand Radhakrishnan
Anand is from the class of 2012 and is currently working as a consultant with Aon Hewitt. He enjoys reading books on History, Myth and Religion.
“A Short History of Nearly Everything”, by Bill Bryson
This book may have been a winner in science category awards, but it is not meant for the geeks alone. Rather, it is for all beings alive, dead and anything else that remains! The title explains it all. So, if you are keen on sounding just that little bit extra intelligent, and wouldn't mind having some of your fundamentals shaken about everything between the colossal universe and the miniscule string, then join Bill on his realllllly long journey.
“Myth = Mithya”, by Devdutt Pattnaik.
Matters of religion and mythology are best left to chatty grandmas and mystical gurus. Or, so we thought, until Devdutt Pattnaik decided to take the bull by its horns. Written in a contemporary and easy to read style, Myth = Mithya is among the few non-fictional accounts of Indian Mythology to be as exciting as any page turner. The author refuses to mince words, and in that lies the beauty of the book. A must read for anyone even remotely interested in the subject.
“The Emperor and The Conqueror Series”, by Conn Iggulden
If your appetite for stories (especially the ones about the dead) is insatiable, then Conn Iggulden is your man. His premier works in the field of historical fiction include the Emperor Series, about Julius Caeser and the Conqueror Series, about Genghis Khan. Written in a phenomenally gripping style (a great feat for writers of History), Conn Iggulden does justice to his characters by achieving great detail and painting a lively imagery (the 2 series comprise of 9 books!).