Just Kidding!!!!!

This is not a review of any book or movie.I am just copying out an article that had appeared in a national newspaper (would not like to name it here) because it is hilarious and imaginative.
This article had appeared when the govt. was renaming quite a few places and landmarks in the city and state after Shivaji Maharaj.The people behind the article imagine a future i.e. 2050 AD (funny how everything in the future happens to centre around the year 2050, the movie love story 2050 for instance) where everything is named after Shivaji Maharaj.

I have to add a disclaimer that every word in this article is fictitious and bears no resemblance to any person living or dead... ;-)

Here goes.......

My name is Chhatrapati Shivaji.My father's name is Chhatrapati Shivaji.My mother's name is Chhatrapati Shivaji.My brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts are all named Chhatrapati Shivaji.All other names have long since been outlawed.
I wake up everyday at 6.30 am (Chhatrapati Standard Time) to go to my school : Chhatrapati Shivaji Vidyalaya.It was a little confusing getting there at first, because all schools in the city have the same name.But once I got directions, it was fine.All I have to do is go down Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, make a left turn at Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk, go straight till Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg, until I reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Road.Then I go straight till I come to Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk.Once I got lost and found myself at Chhatrapati Shivaji Road instead of Chhatrapati Shivaji Road.Silly mistake, when I think about it.
My class teacher, Mr. C Shivaji, is a good teacher.Today he asked, "Chhatrapati, can you answer that question?" The whole class put up their hands to answer.
Yesterday our school, CS Vidyalaya had a cricket match with our rival school, CS Vidyalaya.Of course, we don't know which school won.But that's okay.This weekend, my family and I will go to the zoo, Chhatrapati Shivaji Pranibaugh, and see all the, um...plants.There used to be animals there, but they're all dead now.They say it was due to "negligence" because the keepers were all running for government, one fo them for the office of Prime Chhatrapati.
We have two main telecommunication companies, CSNL and CSNL.One provides telephone services and the other provides broadband Multinet access via the Chhatrapati Shivaji Satellite.Sometimes we don't know whether we're accessing a website or whether Chhatrapati Shivaji (our grandmother) is calling up.I'll go online later to see if I have any new e-mail at chhatrapati@chhatrapatishivaji.cs
Foreigners are often confused which Paanch Sitara Vyayamshala (5-ishtar hotel) to go to because they all have the same names.I think the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vishramgraha is pretty good and one should stay there rather than the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vishramgraha or the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Vishramgraha.
During the weekend, my family and I might go to the beach, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Samudrakinar, and after that we may go to see a film.All foreign films are dubbed in Indian languages because, as we are taught in school :
(1) Nothing foreign is good, and
(2) All things foreign that are good have been stolen from us.
I go to sleep pretty early,after watching the popular TV show Kaun Banega Chhatrapati.
Tomorrow will be another day... I think.
Sometimes, in whispers, i hear stories told of a mythical age long ago, when places and things had different names.Stories of a time, when each thing had it's own name, and of a concept called "heterogenity".Its a legend, only half beleived, of a time when places and things had a history, and the city an identity.

Date : 21 November, 370 AC (After Chhatrapati)
Place : Chhatrapati Shivaji Mahanagar (Formerly Bombay City)

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Name : Atlas Shrugged
Author: Ayn Rand
ISBN : 9780751191144

Summary : This book envisions a scenario wherein the men of the mind go on strike.Here Ayn Rand puts forward her unique theory of objectivism which conceptually can be said to be an antonym of altruism.

My opinion : This is easily one of the most phenomenal books that i have ever read.Even though this book was written a long time ago(it is more than five decades old), we can still relate to the events as if it were happening in the contemporary world.The basic concept, premise and the execution of the book are brilliant.This novel presents an astounding panorama of human life.All the characters are very well etched.With it's immortal query "Who is John Galt?" the book defines the basic premise for Man's existence.The chapter "This is John Galt Speaking" is another book in itself, such is it's scope and impact on the reader.The author describes this book as an explanation of "the role of man's mind in existence".Even though this book by quite large by a novel's standards (almost 1100 pages), at no point does it get boring or repetitive.It holds the reader's interest and captures his imagination.I would certainly recommend this book to everyone.

How I got it : Got it from a friend.

Will I buy it for my collection: I have it.

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

Author: Michael Crichton

Summary:
'State of Fear' as the name suggests is based on maintaining order in the society through the one of the most effective means known to man.

The story is based on global warming and how a eco-terrorists group tries to create catastrophes on 2 places to make sure the world believes in the devastating effects of global warming and makes huge changes in the current way things work through the world to reduce green-house gas emissions.

The story revolves around Peter Evans ( a environmentalist Lawyer ), George Morton ( a multimillionaire who provides funding to environmental causes ), Sarah ( Morton's Assistant ), John Kenner and Sanjong Thapa ( researchers at MIT ) and the utilization of the funding given by Morton to NERF ( National Environmental Resource Fund ).

Morton has a meeting with Kenner and Thapa resulting a turn-around in his views to provide funding to NERF and in a banquet held by NERF he officially announces his withdrawal of further funding to NERF. After the banquet however, Morton has a fatal accident out of rash driving over a cliff's edge.

Then this group teams up against ELF (named Earth Liberation Front) to foil their schemes which include dislodging a Huge iceberg in Antarctica using synchronized detonations of explosives, a thunderstorm with flash flooding at a National Park and a tsunami using under-water detonations and amplifiers using cavitation generators.

My Opinion:
Another typical Michael Crichton thriller which is very well-compiled and detailed narration.

How I got it: From a Library.

Will I buy it for my collection: Maybe.

Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer

Name : Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less
Author: Jeffrey Archer
ISBN : 9780330419048

Summary : It is a humorous tale of four persons from varying backgrounds who join forces to get payback from a deal which they have been duped into.

My opinion : This is one of the most humourous books I have come across. Jeffrey Archer has cleverly created this comic masterpiece with each part having it's own style of humour. The story weaves around the ingenious plans of these four persons, their bumbling antics and recovery from blunders while executing their plans. The end actually has the potential to leave the reader in a laughing fit. Would definitely recommend it as a must read.

How I got it : Recommended by my mother.

Will I buy it for my collection: I have it.

Paths Of Glory by Jeffrey Archer

Name : Paths Of Glory
Author: Jeffrey Archer
ISBN : 9780330504256

Summary : It is a journey of a prodigious man's life who dared to achieve what was considered nearly the impossible in his times.

My opinion : Jeffrey Archer has written this one in a very concise manner. Although this is based on a true story (which I found out after reading the book), Jeffrey Archer has written it in a way, which does not make it seem just like a biography of George Mallory. Someone who is not aware of the intricacies of mountaineering, can get a nice idea of how much thought is put into scaling mountains. An enjoyable read and would definitely recommend everyone to have a go at it.

How I got it : Bought it.

Will I buy it for my collection: I have it.