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 Shruti Sharma
Shruti is from the class of 2006 and has a family business in the energy meter manufacturing sector. She recently started a venture in advanced training for graduates - Pristine Edutronics and Parivartan - a social entrepreneurship arm of the same, aimed at imparting job ready skills to the community.

“Conquest of Mind”, by Eknath Easwaran
It is a very interesting book, which guides through short stories and narrations, the attitude towards taking life's waves and riding them with effortless grace. The book is written very simply and discusses contemporary challenges we face as individuals. It's great to go through a paragraph of this book to set pace with oneself, once in a while.




“Godan”, by Munshi Prem Chand
Godan is the last Novel written By Munshi Prem Chand. It is a story of a villager - Hori and his family. It nicely portrays hardships of rural life in British India. The Characters are lively and the development of the characters as you read on is done beautifully. The feelings of pain, hatred, happiness felt by the characters are felt by the reader while reading the book. Written in very simple Hindi the novel can be understood easily.


“Stranger”, by Satyajit Ray
Stranger is a collection of 20 stories written by Satyajit Ray. The collection includes his famous story, Fotikchand, Stranger (Aagantuk). Satyajit Ray's last movie Aagantuk is based on the same story. The stories are written primarily for children between ten and fifteen years but they interest all age groups equally well.




Recommended Readings by Prof. Rajagopal Raghunathan

Prof. Raghunathan is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Department of Marketing at the University Of Texas McCombs School Of Business. He has taught the subjects of Creativity and Leadership to the PGP students. Prof. Raghunathan holds a Masters and a Ph.D. in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta & the Stern School of Business, New York respectively. His research interests include Happiness Maximization, Affect and Decision Making, Hedonic and Utilitarian Consumption and Decision- Making. Currently, he is on the editorial boards of Journal of Marketing and Journal of Consumer Psychology.


The "Happiness Hypothesis", by Jonathan Haidt
Discusses difference between purpose of life and purpose in life; highlights the importance of pursuing intrinsic interests. Also highlights the value of developing good personal relationships. He also discusses some ways of bridging the gap between value-driven people and cultural-relativists (who believe that everyone is free to have their own values). Overall, a very good read.



"Influence: Science and Practice", by Robert Cialdini.
An invaluable book for anyone who wishes to be in business. It essentially details seven principles—all of which tap into basic aspects of human nature—that one could use to one’s advantage in influencing others. This is the kind of stuff that a “normal” class on leadership/negotiations would have talked about. I believe that this book should only find its way into “good and authentic people” (i.e., compassionate people who do not chase extrinsic rewards); otherwise, it has potential to be misused.


The "Tao of Physics", by Fritjof Capra
Einstein famously said, “There are two ways to live: you can live as is nothing is a miracle or you can live as if everything is a miracle.” This book takes what ought to be a dry subject—physics—and explores the miracle in inanimate objects. In the process, it raises several metaphysical and spiritual concepts. Anyone with a “natural sciences” background and a spiritual inclination will enjoy this book.


"A Search in Secret India", by Paul Brunton
Another book that provides good glimpses into the content of the consciousness of one who has attained enlightenment. I like the scientific/objective tone and intent of the author, who goes exploring into India for self-realized souls. The book is set in the 1930s, and hence is also interesting from a purely historical perspective.




" You: The Owner’s Manual", by Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz
If you watch Oprah, you have probably seen Mehment Oz (who is the doctor routinely featured in the show). I believe Oz has his own show now, but at any rate, this is the first (at least as far as I know) “pop medicine” book—in the sense that it gives important medical information in a highly digestible fashion. After reading the book, you won’t be able to help but take better care of your body.