Travelers' Tales India: True Stories (Travelers' Tales Guides) Paperback – 29 January 2004

Experiences of travellers with a keen eye for essence in the daily lives of the people.A very good read.

My first visit to India is coming up and I stumbled upon this book when perusing the titles of Indian books that might enlighten me on this great country - and possibly soften the culture shock everyone speaks of. I love it!! Each story has a different flavour, a different aspect of India by traveller-writers. They are honest and refreshing.Whilst we all need the Lonely Planet guide books, this gives a personal view of actual Indian life - little snippets, often only 2 or 3 pages long, from the traveller's experiences. A must-read if you are travelling to India, or even if you are just an armchair traveller!

I have recommended this book to almost anyone who will listen to me, whether they are interested in India or not! It is sad, funny, informative and a bit scary. It doesn't leave you when you've finished it. You think about the Truck Road, the people who won't allow touching, the absolute poverty and all the goodness given to make you feel welcome...depending on 'where' you are at the particular junction of the book.I have never been to India. I've learned to understand Hindi, although, I would never be so presumptuous to speak it. I have studied the country and it's history for the last few years. This book gave me more insight, in the three days it took to read, then all the books I've read in the past. Take the time to read it. Savor it and enjoy!

I haven't been to India, so I don't know if the picture of the country I'm getting from this book is accurate. However, it has given me a sense of the feeling and experience of the country not obtainable from a standard travel guide. I wish the book were more current, as it was compiled several years ago.

Some American friends who spend a great deal of time in India, most often Goa, had made me aware of this book, among others, as a way to learn about India. This book puts some meat on the bones you get with the guide books such as Lonely Planet. To carry the analogy a bit further, the guide books give you an essential skeletal structure while Traveller's Tales brings it all the life. After reading this book,it should give you some good ideas of where to go, what you will find, and an opportunity to adapt your travel plans to the realities on the ground. I will in the future seek out further books in this series that relate to my travel destinations.

I love the Traveler's Tale books as an introduction to author's who have written about their experiences, both positive and negative, in a particular country. As a result of reading this, I am currently reading Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God by Jonah Blank, which I likely wouldn't have found otherwise. I highly recommend it as a starting point if you are planning a trip.