travel

the cover photo is a classic and the ghandi images just before his assasination are truly an historical treasure but the rest of the book should have been edited better by the publisher

Again this is a set of beautiful photographs by Cartier-Bresson. There are some superb pictures. My favorite is number 64 titled, "The Maharaja of Baroda distributing sugar balls to the poor...". What a contrast of emotions on the faces! Specially the look on the young boy who albeit begging still has a somnolent remnant of pride and defiance.

I was hoping to see more from the 1947 through 1956 era which was the beginning of free India. A beautiful book.

This book is the photographic record of Henri Cartier-Bresson's six extended visits to India. In addition to some rare pictures of difficult moments of Indian history, important personalities who defined the political scene, he also captures the quintessence of everyday Indian life. His lens conveys his understanding and deep regard for this country.

This book also includes a very interesting article on Hinduism by Yves Vequaud because, as the author says, "...many tourists who visit India today are still hidebound by the monotheism of their own religions and are apparently unreceptive to the philosophy which underlies a world very different from our own..."

This book would an interesting addition to any collection. But to think that you would understand India or become an armchair traveler by buying this book would be a mistake, since most pictures are from 1948, 1966 and 1950 (There are a few from 1947, 1980 and 1986). India has undergone significant changes in the past 15 years. A more appropriate book for armchair travelers would be "Spectacular India".