Food for Soul

A u n iq u e c o m p il a t i o n o f M o v i e s an d B o o k s t o k e e p y ou o n t h e e d g e !

Part1 MOVIES
This is a beginners list of movies that will stir your imagination. We recommend that you watch these carefully,overthenextfewmonthsandtrytounderstandthedirectorsmessage.Theseareinteresting,but difficultmovies.Theywillforceyoutoquestionsomeofyourbeliefs,andwillhelpyourthoughtpatterns takeonnewdimensions.Happyviewing!
1 .

THEUNTOUCHABLES
ThePowerofCharacter KevinKostner,SeanConnery,RobertdeNiro

KevinCostnerbecameastarasthelegendaryGManEliotNessinTHEUNTOUCHABLES,a slambanggangstersagawithbravuradirectionbyBrianDePalma,awittyDavidMametscriptand superbacting,includingRobertDeNiroasAlCaponeandSeanConnerysOscarwinningturnasa wilyveteran cop.Itsa terrifically entertainingand exciting movie. Thestoryisalmost totally fictionalized(NessneverkilledFrankNittiandhadnothingtodowithCaponesincometaxrap),but thisbecomescompletelyirrelevantinlightofthebeautifullycraftedfilmsaccomplishments.De Palma,who hasoftenbeenaccused ofemphasizingstyleover content,herehasa strongand substantialscripttoworkwith,andhisflashydirectionmeshesperfectlywiththefilmsflamboyantly operaticdesign.Thescriptmaynotbetruetohistory,butitstruetohumanemotionandvery moving,personalizingthebattlebetweengoodandevilbyconcentratingontheimpactthatviolence andcorruptionhasonfamilies.Theconceptoffamilyandchildrenasbeingrepresentativeofall thatsgoodandpurebecomesthefilmscentralmotif,asvirtuallyeveryactofviolenceisfollowed byatenderscenebetweenNessandhiswifeandkids.Thus,itmakesperfectsensethatthefilms mostfamoussetpieceinvolvesamotherandherchildthe10minutelongtrainstationsequence withababycarriagebouncingdownthestepsinslowmotionasNessandCaponesgangshootit out.Thefilmsothersetpiecesarealltechnicaltoursdeforce,includingarooftopchasewithNess andNitti,andaCanadianborderambush,whichisshotlikeaSergioLeonewestern,repletewithMountiesonhorsebackandEnnio Morriconesjanglingharmonicamusic.

2 .

THESHAWSHANKREDEMPTION
ThePowerofHope TimRobbins,MorganFreeman,BobGuntan

Thisisanimpressive,engrossingpieceoffilmmakingfromdirector/screenwriterFrankDarabont whoadaptedhorrormasterStephenKings1982novelsRitaHayworthandShawshankRedemption (firstpublishedinDifferentSeasons )forhisfirstfilm.Theinspirational,lifeaffirminganduplifting, oldfashionedstyleHollywoodproductisacombinationofprison/dramaticfilmandcharacterstudy. ThepopularfilmisabettedbythegoldencinematographyofRogerDeakins,atouchingscoreby ThomasNewman,andathirdimposingcharacterMainesoppressiveShawshankStatePrison (actuallythetransformed,condemnedMansfieldOhioCorrectionalInstitution).Postersforthefilm illustrate the liberating, redemptive power of hope and the religious themes of freedom and resurrection,withthewords:Fearcanholdyouprisoner,Hopecansetyoufree.Darabontsfilmis apatientlytold,allegoricaltale(unfoldinglikealongplayed,sometimespainstaking,persistent chessgame)offriendship,patience,hope,survivalandultimateredemptionbythetimeofthefilms finale.ItwasnominatedforsevenAcademyAwards,includingBestPicture,BestActor(Morgan Freeman),BestAdaptedScreenplay,BestCinematography,BestEditing,BestOriginalScore,and BestSoundbutitfailedtowinasingleOscar.Andthefilmsdirectorfailedtoreceiveanomination forhimself!

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3 .

THEMATRIX
(and the MATRIX RELOADED, MATRIX REVOLUTIONS) Freeyourmind

KeanuReeves,LaurenceFishburne,CarrieAnneMoss

WhatisTheMatrix?Itistheyear2199,andtheworldisnowbeingrunbyan artificialintelligence.Ithasconstructedacomputergenerateddreamworld,called theMatrix,inwhichhumanbeingslivetheirdailylives,withoutanyknowledgeof theirfalseexistence.Somerebelhumansdiscoverthishorror,andrecruitthe helpofcomputerhackerNeo(KeanuReeves),hopingthathewillbetheoneto rescuetheworldfromthiscyberslavery.Thelastthirtyminutesofthismovie combinesspecialeffects,withcrazyfightsfeaturingfreakyHongKongaction andunbelievablestrengths,andanonstoppacetoachasethatseemedinevitable fromthe start. The film starts off with abangagong that will set anyones taillightsablaze.TheWachowskibrothers(directorsofthismovie)obviouslyhaveaneyeforstyle,andfullytakeadvantageoftheir respectedtalentduringmuchofthisfilmsprogression.Theslickactionshots,decentsuspense,andawesomecinematography accentuatethisflash,andfeeduswithplentyofexcitementtoletslidethelessinteresting,andmorestandardsceneswithinthe realworldoutsidetheMatrix.Theactingissolid,withFishburnemakingafineshowing,andReevespullingoffadecentperformance asthehackercaughtinandoverhishead.Whoa!Oneguythatdidstandoutwastheheadofthebadguys,AustralianactorHugo Weaving,whofeduswithafinedishofconfidence,terrorandanawfullyannoyingchatterstyle.Butthebiggestsellingpointofthis film,adetailnotgoneunnoticedbyitsownoverzealousmarketingteam,isthevisuallystunningspecialeffectactionsequences whichtrounceyourpreexistingnotionofagreatfightsequence,andpresentallfuturefilmmakerswithanewbenchmarkforfun andexcitement.Kungfu,crazyspecialeffects,agirlinablackrubbersuit,JohnWooesqueslomoactionshots,andKeanuReeves inashavedhead.

4 .

PATTON
Leadershipmakesallthedifference GeorgeCScott,KarlMalden,StephenYoung

WithoutdoubtthegreatactorGeorgeCScottisbestknownforhisroleinPatton.Inthemovie, Pattonwasparthistoricwarrior,partcowboy,andparthero.ThefilmwasaHollywoodstyledocumentary ofGeneralPatton,anAmericanCommanderduringWWII.Themovieisinessenceonememorable scenerightaftertheother.AtthefilmsstartPattonstandsbeforealargebillboardlikeAmericanflag andwelcomesthenewrecruitsthathewillbecommandingontheirmissionsinEurope.ToPattonWar isnotaboutdyingforyourcountry.Itsaboutgettingtheotherbastardtodieforhiscountry.So poeticbuttrue,forafterall,casualtiesdonotwinwarsfortheyonlylosenations.Pattonproclaims thatWearegoingtokilltheseHunbastardsbythebushell.TheeuphemisticwordsfortheGermans such,asHunsandKrautsremindoneoftheclassicVietnamfilmswhereeveryonehadacolorfulname fortheenemy.InthemoviePattonstandstallandproudashisjeeptravelstheencampmentsofhis troops.Infacthestandsupwithinthejeep,withIvorygrippedpistolsstrappedtohiship.Inonescene Pattonvisitsahospitalandnoticesthatthedoctorsarenotwearinghelmets.Heistoldthattheycan notusetheirstethoscopesiftheywearhelmets.Hetellsthemtodrillholesintheirhelmetssotheycan. CowardicewasunnaceptabletoPatton.Hethreatenstoshootasoldierinthehospitalforrefusingtogettothefrontandfight. Ultimatelyhehastoapologizeforthisfeatbeforehismen.Heonlywishedtoshamethemanintoastateofcourageheproclaims. PATTONisathreedimensionalbronzebustofWorldWarIIFieldGeneralGeorgeS.Patton(GeorgeC.Scott)whowrotepoetry,fired pistolsatstrafingfighterplanes,andlovedAmericawithaloftyandhistoricalzeal.Tracinghispersonalrivalrieswithsuchgenerals asRommelandMontgomery,hisproblematictreatmentofhisownmen,andhisnearlyrunawaycontemptfordiplomacy,thefilm triumphsasanenduringportraitofacomplexandlargerthanlifefigure.PATTONwasrecipientof10AcademyAwardNominations andwinnerofeight,includingBestPicture,BestDirector,BestActorScott,Best(Adapted)ScreenplayFrancisFordCoppola/ EdmundH.North.Thescaleofthefilmisveryimpressive,hugetankbattles,aircraft,explosionsandplentyofactionarearunning themethroughoutwhichaddsalottothemovieandthisactiongivesthefilmitsexcitingedgeandstopsthemoviefrombecominga dullcharacterobservationwhichisessentiallywhatthemovieis.

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5 .

NARROWMARGIN
Truthshallprevail! GeneHackman,AnneArcher,JTWalsh

NARROW MARGIN delivers solid entertainment with an oldfashioned feel for cliffhanging adventure.HackmanstarsasLosAnglesDeputyDARobertCaulfield,whowouldlikenothingmore thantoputwhitecollargangsterLeoWatts(HarrisYulin)awayforalong,longtime.ButCaulfieldis convinced that his past efforts have been sabotaged by his boss, Martin Larner (J.A. Preston). Determinedtohavenothinggowrongthistime,Caulfieldhimselftakeschargeofbringinginan eyewitnesstoarecentmurdercommittedbyWatts.Thewitness,CarolHunnicut(AnneArcher),is hidingoutinacabin,deepintheCanadianwilderness,untilthingscooldown.Withthehelpofpolice Sgt.DominickBenti,however,CaulfieldtracksHunnicutdownunfortunately,thebadguysalsofind herandshootthecabintobits,leavingCaulfieldandHunnicutunscathedbutcostingBentihislife. Afterachase,HunnicutandCaulfieldmanagetoboardatrain,followedbyhiredkillerNelson(Sikking). Agameofcatandmouseensuesaboardthetrainthecrackerjackfinaletakesplaceontopofthe trainwiththeprincipalactorstryinghardnottolookterrified.Tohiscredit,writercinematographer directorPeterHyams(RUNNINGSCARED)doesntpretendhesreinventingthewheelherehejust seestoitthatallthepiecesareinplaceandthattherearenttoomanyopportunitiesforthepremise totripoveritsownimplausibilities.Witharelativelylowbodycount,ashortageofgore,andnoteven asingleacrobaticsexscene,NARROWMARGINreliesonoldfashionedmovievirtues.

6 .

2001ASPACEODYSSEY
Speculationsontheoriginofman MarkHamill,BenKingsley,F.MurrayAbraham

A scifi spectacular thattranscends its genre to examine thebasis of human existence. Despitebeingcoldandimpersonal,2001sexplorationofspaceandhumanityisgripping.Special effectsareincrediblefora1968film.Challenging,compellingandworthseeing.Abeautiful, confounding picturethat hadhalf theaudience cheeringand theother halfsnoring. Kubrick clearlyintendstosaysomethingaboutthedehumanizingeffectsoftechnology,butexactlywhat ishardtosay.Oneofthoseworkspresumedtobeprofoundbyvirtueofitsincomprehensibility, 2001isnevertheless,anastoundingvisualexperienceonetobeenjoyed,ifpossible,onlyon thebigscreen.Thefilmopenswith(asatitlemodestlyannounces)TheDawnofMan.Mandawns whenatribeofapelikehominidsisvisitedbyahugeblackmonolith,whichinstructsthemintheuse of tools and weapons. Cut to the year 2001, when a scientist (Sylvester) is investigating a bafflingarchaeologicaldiscoveryonthemoonitis,ofcourse,ahugeblackmonolith,whichlater sendsasignalinthedirectionoftheplanetJupiter.Dissolvetoayearlater,asaspaceshipmakes its way to Jupiter. Dullea and Lockwood run the ship with the help of HAL 9000, the most sophisticatedcomputereverdevised.HALturnsonitshumanmasters,killingLockwood,and Dulleaventuresfurtherintospace,eventuallyconfrontingahugeblackmonolith.Later,after witnessingaspectacularlightshow,heencountersarelativelysmallblackmonolith.Thescreenplay whichisoftenquitewitty,especiallyinthelargelysatiricalSylvestersequencesprobablywas meantsincerely,buthasthefeelofsomethingthatwasneverthoughtthrough.Kubrickseemsto haveunderstoodthat,withtheemergenceofdrugcultureandmiddleclassspiritualyearnings duringthelate60s,anythingreallyhugeandreallyvaguestoodagoodchanceofbeingreceived assomethingreallydeep.

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7.

DEADMANWALKING
Theeternalquestionsofethicsandmorality SeanPenn,SusanSarandon,RobertProsky

DeadManWalkingis(inspiredbyratherthanbasedon)abookbythesametitlewrittenbySister HelenPrejean,aprogressivenuninLouisiana.ThemovieconcernsSisterHelenandherattemptsto stoptheexecutionofMatthewPoncelet,aparticularlyviciouspunkwhoalongwithanaccomplice, killedandrapedateenagegirlalongwithherboyfriend.Mostcriticshaveonlylaudatorythingstosay aboutDeadManWalking.CommontothereviewsisthemarvelthatthewellknownHollywoodLiberal TimRobbinswaswillingtosimplybehonestintellingthisanticapitalpunishmentstory.Itisnosmall accomplishment,themovieisfullofintegritythatway.Thereisnoromanticizingofthekilleror dismissingthecrime,(infrequentflashbackstheviciousactisshownwithoutblinking).Theanguished parentsofthekillersvictimsarenotmonstrousorevenunreasonablewhentheycryoutforvengeance. Eventhesanctimoniousprisonchaplainishuman.And,makingthisfilmreallyuniqueisitsdeparture fromtheconventionsofcurrentfilmmakinginthatpeopleoffaithandtheirbeliefsarerespected throughout.Infacttherearenoeasystereotypeshumansandourambiguoussituationsallaround. Thereinliesthefilmspower.Butwhatisespeciallyworthyofcommentisthepathofredemptionthe movieshowsus.WhenSisterHelen(SusanSarandon)agreestoserveasthecondemneds(SeanPenn) spiritualcounselorduringhislastdays,thechaplainoftheprisontriestodissuadeherfromataskfor whichhejudgeshertoosoft.Heremindsherthatsympathyandhercompassionatenaturehavenoplaceamongthecondemned. Whatisneededtousherhimintoparadiseishavingthesacramentadministeredinhislasthour.SisterHelenseesredemptionmade ofmoresturdystuff:confessionandforgiveness.Astheclockmovesrelentlesslytowardsthemidnighthour,thecondemned, promptedbyherstubbornlove,finallyownsuptowhathehasdone.Hisshellofvictimhoodcracksandwebelieveherwhenshecalls himachildofGod.Mostpowerfulscene:SisterHelensanguishedprayerinthebathroomjustbeforehedies.Desperateforstrength sothatshecanbestrongforhim,shestormsheavenandreceivesstrength.Thefilmclearlyhasitsanticapitalpunishmentbias, Killnswrong,nomatterwhosdonit.Wedoshudderatthecoolprocedurewithwhichthestateprocessesthecondemned. IntegraltotheBiblicalviewofshalomorpeaceisbalance.Wheninjusticeisperpetrated,acorrectivemustbeapplied(mostoften inkind).

8 .

E.T.
Isthereanyoneoutthere? DeeWallaceStone,HenryThomas,PeterCoyote

Heisafraid.Heisalone.Heisthreemillionlightyearsfromhome.InStevenSpielbergsheartwarming classic,twolostsoulsfindeachotheracrossthevastnessofspaceandtime.OneisanEarthlingboywho comesfromasplitandtroubledfamilytheotherisanextraterrestrialbotanistfromthefarreachesof thegalaxy.AfterbeingstrandedonEarthbyhispeople,E.T.befriendsaboynamedElliot.Unfortunately, thesamegovernmentagentswhochasedE.T.sgiantspacecraftbackintotheheavensareawarethat oneofitscrewwasleftbehind.Theybegintotrackdownthealienvisitor.IntheshorttimethatElliotand E.T.spendtogethertheylivetheadventureofalifetime.ElliotteachesE.T.aboutthejoysandsorrows oflivingonEarth.Inreturn,E.T.teachesElliotaboutthetruemeaningoffriendshipandlove.Thetwo friendsbecomeinseparable.Elliott(HenryThomas)findsE.T.,avisitorfromanotherplanetleftstranded onEarth,hidinginhisbackyardand,likeanykidwhofindsastray,decidestokeephim.Hidingthealien fromhismother(DeeWallace),Thomasandtheneighborhoodkidsbefriendthecreature.Onescene clearlyshowshisresemblancetoJesus.WhentheyaretryingtogetE.T.tohisspaceshipthedoorsopen totheirvanandE.T.inarobelikegarmentstandswithhisarmsspreadoutandhisheartglowingred.As iftoshowtotheworldthepeacehebrings(muchlikeKlaatuinTheDaytheEarthStoodStill).Unificationoffamilyisthemostobvious andpersonalsymbolismtothefilm.Thefamilyhasseparatedandleftwithonlythemothertoraisethethreechildren.E.T.showsup andfillsagapinElliotslife,asorelyneededgap,thefatherfigure.ThetworelatesowelltoeachotherbecauseeventhoughE.T. fillsthegapforElliot,heismissinghisownfamilyandiscomfortedbyElliot.Italsoenduresfeelingsofchildhoodinnocence(both ElliotandE.T.)andhurtoverparentalbreakup.Oneofthefilmsbestmomentsexemplifiesthismeaningofahurtfulchildhoodduring divorce. We hear the mother (DeeWallace)reading Gertie abedtime story as the camera cuts between the boys reliving old memoriesoftheirfatherandE.T.watchingthemother/daughterbond,piningforwhathehaslostandsodesperatelywantsback. Noothersceneinthemoviesoclearlyportraysthesorrowofaparentalsplitandtheneedforaclosefamilyrelationship.The creatureeventuallybringsthemcloserthanevertoeachother.ThoughhebecomesattachedtoThomasandhisfriends,E.T.wants togetbacktohisownplanet,andthechildrenmustsavehimfromthegovernmenttypeswhohavebeentryingtocaptureandstudy
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him,notknowingthatprolongedexposuretoourairwillkillhim(asitwillmostpeopleinSouthernCaliforniasfoulatmosphere).E.T. iscapturedbytheauthoritiesandisonhiswaytodeathwhenheissavedbyabunchofthekids.Whenanaliencanhealwiththe touchofafingerandpointtoyourheartandsay,Illberighthere,therearesomeobviousChristianinferencestobedrawn.The filmsundercurrentisthataboywhohaslosthisfatherduetoaparentalseparationgainsanempatheticrelationshipwiththis extraterrestrial.Whentheauthoritieskillthealien,itisclearthattheboyisdyingtoo.Sothestorymanagestoincorporatethe givingupofoneslifeforanother,resurrection,ascensionandtheimpartingofalovingspirit.Next,ahairraisingbikechasetakes themouttowherethecreaturehasplannedtomeethiscompatriotsforthetripbackE.T.leaves,andthemovieends.

9 .

THESILENCEOFTHELAMBS
Itsallinthemind JodieFoster,AnthonyHopkins,ScottGlenn

Oneofthemosttalkedaboutmoviesof1991,multipleAcademyAwardwinnerTHESILENCEOF THELAMBShastheFBItraineeClariceStarling(JodieFoster)recruitedbytheBureausbehavioral sciencesunittohelptrackdownoneserialkillerbygettinginsidetheheadofanotherwhosalready behindbarsthenotoriousHannibaltheCannibalLecter(AnthonyHopkins),abrilliantbutpsychopathic psychiatrist.Inaseriesofrivetinginterviews,StarlingrevealspersonaldetailsaboutherpasttoLecter, inexchangeforinformationthatmaysnareBuffaloBill,themurdererwhoflayshisfemalevictims. TensionsescalatewhenBillkidnapsthedaughterofaU.S.senatorandLecterplotsanescape.Whilethe suspensefulpursuitofthekillerishandledwellbyDemme,thefilmsprincipleattractionstemsnotfrom thethrillofthehunt,butfromthespellbindingskullsessionsbetweenJodieFostersheroineandAnthony Hopkinssbrilliant,menacingvillain.Hopkinsplaysthecannibalisticdoctorwithaquiet,controllederudition, lacinghisperformancewithmomentsofblackhumor.HisLecterisasortofsatanicSherlockHolmes whosespasmsofviolenceareallthemoreterrifyingbecausetheyeruptfrombeneathsuchanintelligent andrefinedmask.Althoughnotasoverwhelming,Fostersperformanceisequallyimpressive.Herstrong yetvulnerableinterpretationoftherookieFBIagentprojectsaquietlyconvincingfeminism.Although sheremainsthepupilofthebenignpatriarchCrawford,Starlingrisesabovethepettinessofhermalecolleagues. 10. DUMBANDDUMBER Laughyourheartout! JimCarrey,JeffDaniels

ThethinplotthreaduponwhichDumbandDumberhangshaslimodriverLloydChristmas(JimCarrey) retrievingabriefcaseleftbehindinanairportbyabeautifulclient(LaurenHolly).Alongwithhisbestfriend androommateHarryDunne(JeffDaniels),LloydstartsthelongdrivewestfromProvidencetoAspentofind hisdreamwomanandreturnthelockedbriefcase,whichjusthappenstobefilledwithmoney.Thecross countrytrekisnteasy,however.NotonlyaretheintrepidduolumberedwithIQsbarelyintothedoubledigits (theymakeForrestGumplooklikeagenius),buttheyrebeingpursuedbyapairofcrooks(MikeStarrand KarenDuffy)whowantthemoney.FortunatelyforLloydandHarry,thebadguysarentexactlyValedictorian material,either.Overall,anenjoyablemovie!

11. NOCOUNTRYFOROLDMEN

TommyLeeJones,JavierBardem,andJoshBrolin
NoCountryforOldMenisa2007crimethrillerfilmadaptedforthescreenanddirectedby JoelandEthanCoen,andstarringTommyLeeJones,JavierBardem,andJoshBrolin.Adapted fromtheCormacMcCarthynovelofthesamename,NoCountryforOldMentellsthestoryofa botcheddrugdealandtheensuingcatandmousedrama,asthreemencrisscrosseachother's pathsinthedesertlandscapeof1980WestTexas.Thefilmexaminesthethemesoffateand circumstancetheCoenbrothershavepreviouslyexploredinBloodSimpleandFargo.

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NoCountryforOldMenhasbeenhighlypraisedbycritics.RogerEbertoftheChicagoSunTimescalledit"asgoodafilmastheCoen brothers...haveevermade."GuardianjournalistJohnPattersonsaidthefilmproved"thattheCoens'technicalabilities,andtheir feelforalandscapebasedWesternclassicismreminiscentofAnthonyMannandSamPeckinpah,arematchedbyfewlivingdirectors." Thefilmwashonoredwithnumerousawards,garneringthreeBritishAcademyofFilmawards,twoGoldenGlobes,andfourAcademy AwardsforBestPicture,BestDirector(JoelandEthanCoen),BestAdaptedScreenplayandBestSupportingActor(JavierBardem).

12. THEDEPARTED

LeonardoDiCaprio,MattDamon,JackNicholson
TheDepartedisa2006Americancrimethrillerfilmremakeofthe2002HongKongcrime thrillerInfernalAffairs.

TheDepartedisdirectedbyMartinScorsese,writtenbyWilliamMonahanandstarringLeonardo DiCaprio,MattDamon,JackNicholsonandMarkWahlberg.ThefilmwonfourAcademyAwardsat the79thAcademyAwards,includingtheBestPicture,andalongawaitedBestDirectorwinfor Scorsese.

ThisfilmtakesplaceinBoston,Massachusetts,wherenotoriousIrishMobbossFrancis"Frank"Costello(JackNicholson)plantshis protgColinSullivan(MattDamon)asaninformantwithintheMassachusettsStatePolice.Simultaneously,thepoliceassign undercovercopBillyCostigan,Jr.(LeonardoDiCaprio)toinfiltrateCostello'screw.Whenbothsidesofthelawrealizethesituation, eachmanattemptstodiscovertheother'strueidentitybeforebeingfoundout.

13. CRASH

BrendanFraser,SandraBullock,ChrisBridges,LarenzTate
Crash is a 2004 American/Germandramafilm, written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2004, and was released internationallyin2005.ThefilmisaboutracialandsocialtensionsinLosAngeles.Aselfdescribed "passionpiece"fordirectorPaulHaggis,Crashwasinspiredbyareallifeincidentinwhichhis PorschewascarjackedoutsideavideostoreonWilshireBoulevardin1991.

ItwonthreeOscarsforBestPicture,BestOriginalScreenplayandBestEditingof2005atthe 78thAcademyAwards.ThefilmdepictsseveralcharacterslivinginLosAngeles,Californiaduring a36hourperiodandbringsthemtogetherthroughcarcollisions,shootings,andcarjacking. Throughthesecharacters'interactions,thefilmseekstodepictandexaminenotonlyracial tension,butalsothedistancebetweenstrangersingeneral.

ThescreenplaywaswrittenbyPaulHaggis,basedonshortstoriesbyF.X.Toole,thepennameoffightmanagerand"cutman"Jerry Boyd.OriginallypublishedunderthetitleRopeBurns,thestorieshavesincebeenrepublishedunderthemovie'stitle. 14. MILLIONDOLLARBABY

ClintEastwood,HilarySwank,MorganFreeman
MillionDollarBabyisa2004filmdirected,coproducedandscoredbyClintEastwoodand starringEastwood,HilarySwank,andMorganFreeman.Itisthestoryofanunderappreciated boxingtrainer,hiselusivepast,andhisquestforatonementbyhelpinganunderdogamateur femaleboxer(thefilm'stitlecharacter)achieveherdreamofbecomingaprofessional.Thefilm wonfourAcademyAwards,includingBestPicture.

Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), an amateur who aspires to prove herself by becoming a successfulboxer,isreluctantlytakenonbyFrankieDunn(ClintEastwood),abrilliantbutdown andoutboxingtrainerwhohasbeencastasidebyhiscolleaguesandrelatives,includinghis estrangeddaughter,Katy.DunnhelpsMaggierealizehergoalwhiledevelopingastrongerthan bloodbondwithher.
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Initially,Dunn'sattitudetowardsMaggieisindifferent,becausesheisfemaleandalready31yearsold.Maggie,however,perseveres inherattemptstowinDunn'sfavorbytrainingeachdayinhisgym,evenwhenothersdiscourageher.Frank'sfriendandemployee, exboxerEddie"ScrapIron"Dupris(MorganFreeman)narratesthestoryinnondialoguescenes.

15. THELORDOFTHERINGS:THERETURNOFTHEKING

ElijahWood,IanMcKellen,LivTyler,ViggoMortensen,SeanAstin
TheLord ofthe Rings:The Returnof theKing isa 2003fantasy filmdirected byPeter JacksonthatisbasedonthesecondandthirdvolumesofJ.R.R.Tolkien'sTheLordoftheRings andtheconcludingfilminTheLordoftheRingsfilmtrilogyfollowingTheFellowshipoftheRing (2001)andTheTwoTowers(2002).

AsSauronlaunchesthefinalstagesofhisconquestofMiddleearth,GandalftheWizard,and ThodenKingofRohanrallytheirforcestohelpdefendGondor'scapitalMinasTirithfromthe loomingthreat.AragornfinallyclaimsthethroneofGondorandsummonsanarmyofghoststo helphimdefeatSauron.Ultimately,evenwithfullstrengthofarms,theyrealizetheycannotwin soitcomes downtotheHobbits, FrodoandSam,whoface theburdenofthe Ringandthe treacheryofGollum, andfinallyarriveatMordor, seekingtodestroytheOne RinginMount Doom.

Releasedon17December2003,TheLordoftheRings:TheReturnoftheKingbecameoneofthemostcriticallyacclaimedfilmsand greatestboxofficesuccessesofalltime.ItwonallelevenAcademyAwardsitwasnominatedfor,whichtiesitwithonlyTitanicand BenHurformostAcademyAwardseverwon.ItalsowontheAcademyAwardforBestPicture,theonlytimeinhistoryafantasyfilm hasdoneso.Itisthe2ndhighestgrossingmovieofalltime,grossing$1.12billionworldwide,anditisthe49thmostsuccessfulin NorthAmericaonceadjustedfor inflation.TheSpecial ExtendedEdition, containinganadditional 52minutesof footage,was releasedonDVDon14December2004.

16. ABEAUTIFULMIND

RussellCrowe,JenniferConnelly,EdHarris,PaulBettany
ABeautifulMindisa2001AmericanfilmbasedonthelifeofJohnForbesNash,aNobel LaureateinEconomics.ThefilmwasdirectedbyRonHowardandwrittenbyAkivaGoldsman.It wasinspiredbyabestselling,PulitzerPrizenominated1998bookofthesamenamebySylvia Nasar.ThefilmstarsRussellCrowe,alongwithJenniferConnelly,EdHarrisandPaulBettany.

Thestory beginsin theearly yearsof Nash'slifeatPrinceton Universityas hedevelops his "originalidea"thatwillrevolutionizetheworldofmathematics.Earlyinthemovie,Nashbegins developingparanoidschizophreniaandenduresdelusionalepisodeswhilepainfullywatchingthe lossandburdenhisconditionbringsonhiswifeandfriends.

ThefilmopenedinUScinemasinDecember2001.Itwaswellreceivedbycritics,grossedover$300millionworldwide,andwenton towinfourAcademyAwards,includingBestPicture,BestDirector,BestAdaptedScreenplay,andBestSupportingActress.Itwas alsonominatedforBestLeadingActor,BestEditing,BestMakeup,andBestScore.Thefilmhasbeencriticizedforitsinaccurate portrayalofsomeaspectsofNash'slife.Thefilmfictionallyportrayedhishallucinationsasvisualandauditory,yetfactuallythey wereexclusivelyauditory.Too,NasarconcludedNash'srefusaltotakedrugs"mayhavebeenfortunate,"sincetheirsideeffects "wouldhavemadehisgentlereentryintotheworldofmathematicsanearimpossibility"inthescreenplay,however,justbeforehe receivestheNobelPrize,Nashspeaksoftaking"newermedications."

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17. TITANIC

LeonardoDiCaprio,KateWinslet,BillyZane,FrancesFisher
Titanicisa1997Americanromanticfilmdirected,written,coproducedandcoeditedby JamesCameronaboutthesinkingoftheRMSTitanic.ItfeaturesKateWinsletasRoseDeWitt Bukater,andLeonardoDiCaprioasJackDawson,twomembersofdifferentsocialclasseswhofall inloveaboardtheillfatedvoyageoftheship.Themaincharactersandthecentrallovestoryare fictional,butsomecharacters(suchasmembersoftheship'screw)arebasedonrealhistorical figures.GloriaStuartplaystheelderlyRose,whonarratesthefilminamoderndayframing device.

Despitelowexpectations,thefilmwasanenormouscriticalandcommercialsuccess,winning elevenAcademyAwardsincludingBestPictureandbecomingthehighestgrossingfilmofalltime, withatotalworldwidegrossofapproximately$1.8billion.Thissimplesagaoflove,setamidst possiblythegreatestpeacetimemaritimetragedyofalltime,iswonderfullyfilmedwithhaunting musicandbravuraperformancesbytheentirecast.ThisfilmlaunchedLeonardoDiCaprioscareer, puttinghimintheAlistofHollywoodactors. 18. BRAVEHEART

MelGibson,AlanLadd,Jr.,BruceDavey,StephenMcEveety
BraveheartisanAcademyAwardWinning,1995historicalactiondramamovieproduced anddirectedbyMelGibson,whoalsostarredinthetitlerole.Thefilmwaswrittenforscreenand thennovelized by Randall Wallace. Gibsonportrays a legendary Scot, William Wallace, who gainedrecognitionwhenhecametotheforefrontoftheFirstWarofScottishIndependenceby opposingEdwardIofEngland(portrayedbyPatrickMcGoohan)andsubsequentlyabettedby Edward'sdaughterinlawPrincessIsabelle(playedbySophieMarceau)andaclaimanttothe Scottishthrone,RoberttheBruce(playedbyAngusMacfadyen).

Thisepicsagaofonemansquestforfreedomhasbeenlavishlyshotandthescaleandgrandeur ofthefilmistobeseentobebelieved.Thebatllescenesarehighaction,adrenalinepumping onesthatbringtotheforeallthetechnicalwizardryofHollywood.

Ifonehastofindapointtoquibble,thatwouldbethebloodandgoreofsomeofthescenes especially,attheendwhenWilliamWallaceisbeingpubliclytortured.Frankly,itisnotasightfor thefaintorweakhearted!

Otherwise,thenarrativeistautnadholdtheviewretohisseat.Historicalmoviesaresometimes calledslowpacedthisisonemovie,thatwillnotinvitethatepithet.

19. SCHINDLER'SLIST

LiamNeeson,BenKingsley,RalphFiennes,CarolineGoodall
Schindler'sList isa1993released filmdirectedby StevenSpielberg.Itis adramatized accountofthetruestoryofOskarSchindler,aGermanbusinessmanwhosavedthelivesofmore thanonethousandPolishJewsduringtheHolocaustbyemployingtheminhisfactories.

Thefilm,basedonthenovelSchindler'sArkbyThomasKeneally,starsLiamNeesonasSchindler, RalphFiennesasSchutzstaffel(SS)officerAmonGth,andBenKingsleyasSchindler'saccountant ItzhakStern.ThefilmwasbothaboxofficesuccessandrecipientofsevenAcademyAwards, includingBestPicture,BestDirector,andBestOriginalScore.

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ThefilmtracesthejourneyofOskarSchindler,anunsuccessfulbusinessman,whoarrivesinthecityfromtheSudetenlandinhopes ofmakinghisfortuneasawarprofiteerhowhebribeshiswaytobecomearespectablebusinessfigureinthetownandhisultimate metamorphosisintoapersonwhocommitsallhisresourcestosavetheJewishworkersinghisfactories.

Itisataletoldsimply,withouttryingtomakeaherooutoftheepnoymouscharacter.Itdepictshisinitialfailingsandweaknesses withasmuchcandorashisultimatedevotionandcommitmenttohumanity.Theportrayalsaresubtleandthedirectorbringsoutthe bestfromhisensemblecast.Theconcentrationcampsceneshavebeenfilmedmasterfullyandonceagainmakethevieweralltoo awareofthescopeofthetragedythatwasWWII.

ThefilmendsonanemotionalnotebyshowingaprocessionofnowelderlyJewswhoworkedinSchindler'sfactory,eachofwhom reverentlysetsastoneonhisgrave.Theactorsportrayingthemajorcharacterswalkhandinhandwiththepeopletheyportrayed, andalsoplacestonesonSchindler'sgraveastheypass.Theaudiencelearnsthatatthetimeofthefilm'srelease,therearefewer than4,000JewsleftaliveinPoland,whiletherearemorethan6,000descendantsoftheSchindlerJews.Inthefinalscene,Liam Neeson(thoughhisfaceisnotvisible)placesapairofrosesonthegraveandstandscontemplativelyoverit.

20. LIFEISBEAUTIFUL

RobertoBenigni,NicolettaBraschi,GiorgioCantarini,GiustinoDurano
LifeIsBeautiful(Italian:Lavitabella)isa1997Italianlanguagefilmwhichtellsthestory ofaJewishItalian,GuidoOrefice(playedbyRobertoBenigni,whoalsodirectedandcowrote thefilm),whomustlearnhowtousehisfertileimaginationtohelphissonsurvivetheirinternment inaNaziconcentrationcamp.

Thefirsthalfofthemovieisawhimsical,romanticcomedyandoftenslapstick.Guido(Roberto Benigni),ayoungItalianJew,arrivesinArezzowherehesetsupabookstore.Guidoisboth funnyandcharismatic,especiallywhenheromancesDora(Italian,butnotJewishportrayedby Benigni'sactualwifeNicolettaBraschi),whomhestealsatherengagementfromherrudeand loudfianc.Severalyearspass,inwhichGuidoandDorahaveason,Joshua(writtenGiosuin theItalianversionportrayedbyGiorgioCantarini).Inthefilm,Joshuaisaroundfiveyearsold. However,boththebeginningandendingofthefilmisnarratedbyanolderJoshua.

Inthesecondhalf,Guido,Guido'suncleEliseo,andJoshuaaretakentoaconcentrationcampon Joshua'sbirthday.Dorademandstojoinherfamilyandispermittedtodoso.GuidohidesJoshua fromtheNaziguardsandsneakshimfood.InanattempttokeepupJoshua'sspirits,Guido convinceshimthatthecampisjustagameagameinwhichthefirstpersontoget1,000pointswinsatank.HetellsJoshuathatif youcry,complainthatyouwantyourmother,orcomplainthatyouarehungry,youlosepoints,whilequietboyswhohidefromthe campguardsearnpoints.HeconvincesJoshuathatthecampguardsaremeanbecausetheywantthetankforthemselvesandthat alltheotherchildrenarehidinginordertowinthegame.HeputsoffeveryattemptofJoshuaendingthegameandreturninghome byconvincinghimthattheyareintheleadforthetank.Despitebeingsurroundedbyrampantdeathanddepression,Joshuadoes notquestionthisfictionbothbecauseofhisfather'sconvincingperformanceandhisowninnocence.

Guidomaintainsthisstoryrightuntiltheend,wheninthechaoscausedbytheAmericanadvancedrawingnearhetellshissonto stayinasweatboxuntileverybodyhasleft,thisbeingthefinaltestbeforethetankishis.AftertryingtofindDora,Guidoiscaught, takenaway,andisshottodeathbyaNaziguard,butnotbeforemakinghissonlaughonelasttimebyimitatingtheNaziguardas ifthetwoofthemaremarchingaroundthecamptogether.Joshuamanagestosurvive,andthinkshehaswonthegamewhenan Americantankarrivestoliberatethecamp,andheisreunitedwithhismother.

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21. ERINBROCKOVICH

JuliaRoberts,AlbertFinney,AaronEckhart
ErinBrockovichisa2000dramawhichdramatizesthestoryofErinBrockovich'sfirstfight againsttheAmericanWestCoastenergygiantPacificGasandElectricCompanyknownasPG&E. ThefilmwasdirectedbyStevenSoderberghandfeaturedactressJuliaRobertsintheleadrole forwhichshesubsequentlywontheAcademyAwardforBestActress.Itisbasedonatruestory andtherealErinBrockovichhasacameoappearanceasawaitressnamedJulia.Theoriginal musicscorewascomposedbyThomasNewman.

ErinBrockovich(JuliaRoberts)isanunemployedsinglemotherofthreechildrenwho,afterlosing apersonalinjurylawsuitagainstadoctorinacaraccidentshewasin,asksherlawyer,Edward L.Masry(AlbertFinney),ifhecanfindherajobincompensationfortheloss.Edgivesherwork asafileclerkinhisoffice,andsherunsacrosssomefilesonaprobonocaseinvolvingrealestate andmedicalrecordsagainstPG&E.

Erinbeginsdiggingintotheparticularsofthecase,convincedthatthefactssimplydonotaddup,andpersuadesEdtoallowher furtherresearch.Afterinvestigation,shediscoversasystematiccoverupoftheindustrialpoisoning(Hexavalentchromium)ofthe townofHinkley'swatersupplythatthreatensthehealthofanentirecommunity.ShefindsthatPG&Eisresponsiblefortheextensive illnessesresidentsofHinkleyhavebeendiagnosedwithandfightstobringthecompanytojustice.

22. SCENTOFAWOMAN

AlPacino,ChrisO'Donnell,JamesRebhorn,GabrielleAnwar,PhilipSeymourHoffman
ScentofaWomanisa1992filmwhichtellsthestoryofapreparatoryschoolstudentwho takesajobasanassistanttoanirascible,blind,medicallyretiredArmyofficer.ItstarsAlPacino, ChrisO'Donnell,JamesRebhorn,GabrielleAnwar,andPhilipSeymourHoffman.

CharlieSimms(ChrisO'Donnell)isastudentataprivatepreparatoryschoolwhocomesfroma poorfamily.ToearnthemoneyforhisflighthometoGresham,OregonforChristmas,Charlie takesajoboverThanksgivinglookingafterretiredU.S.ArmyofficerLieutenantColonelFrank Slade(AlPacino),acantankerousmiddleagedmanwhoisnowblind,alcoholic,eccentric,and impossibletogetalongwith.Seeminglyatoddsatthestartoftheirrelationship,thefilmtracks theirlivesthatculminatesinadeep,mutualrespectCharlieandtheLieutenantColonelultimately shareforeachother.

ThefimisnotableforthebravuraperformancebyAlPacinointheroleoftheblindofficer.Thenuancesthathebringsintothe portrayaloftheblindmanisbrilliant.Someofthescenes,likewheretheentirefamilyishavingdinner,orwheretheblindofficerflirts withthegorgeousGabrielleAnwarortheoneinwhich,theLieutenantColoneltakesCharlieforaride(literally)evokelaughter, withoutrelapsingintoslapstick.Watchittounderstandhowapersonwithaseverephysicaldisabilityactuallyfeelslike.Closeto homewehaveasimilarmovieandperformacebyNaseeruddinShahinSparsh.Anothermustseemovie.

23. THEPIANIST

AdrienBrody,ThomasKretschmann
ThePianistisa2002PolishFrenchGermanBritishcoproducedfilmdirectedbyRoman Polanski,starringAdrienBrody.Itisanadaptationoftheautobiographyofthesamenameby JewishPolishmusicianWladyslawSzpilman.

In additionto the Palmed'Or at theCannes FilmFestival,the filmwon the Oscarsfor Best Director,BestActor,andBestAdaptedScreenplay.ItwasalsoawardedsevenFrenchCsars includingBestPicture,BestDirectorandBestActorforBrody(whobecametheonlyAmerican actortowinone).
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ThisisanothermoviethatisbasedontheWWII.Itisindeedironicthataneventofsuchdestructivemagniturecouldhavespawned somanywonderfulaccountsofhumanity.Thismovie,tellsthestoryofWladyslawSzpilman,afamousPolishJewishpianistworking forWarsawradio,whoseeshiswholeworldcollapsewiththeoutbreakofWorldWarIIandtheinvasionofPolandinSeptember1939.

Separatedfromhisfamilyandlovedones,Szpilmanmanagestosurvive.AtfirstheispressedintoaGermanreconstructionunit insidetheGhettoasaslavelabourerwhereheenlistsinthepartisangroupthatwasinvolvedintheplanningfortheWarsawGhetto Uprising.

AfterthefaileduprisingandtheretributionbytheSS(thattheprotagonistmanagedtoescape),Szpilmanisbefriendedbyaregular GermanofficerbythenameofHosenfeldwhonotonlysaveshislifebutalsoencourageshimtoplaythepiano.Thisisanother instanceofhumanitysurvivingagainstallmanmadeattemptstodividepeopleonthebasisofraceandreligion.Italsodepictsthe powerofmusictosustainanindividualasitdidSzpilmaninthosetryingtimes.

Inthefilm'sfinalscene,SzpilmantriumphantlyperformsChopin'sGrandPolonaisebrillanteinEflatmajortoalargeaudiencein Warsaw.TitlecardsshownjustbeforetheendcreditsrevealthatSzpilmancontinuedtoliveinWarsawanddiedin2000,butthat Hosenfelddiedin1952inaSovietprisonerofwarcamp. 24. ONEFLEWOVERTHECUCKOO'SNEST

JackNicholson,LouiseFletcher,WilliamRedfield
OneFlewOvertheCuckoo'sNestisa1975dramafilmdirectedbyMiloForman.Thefilmis anadaptationofthe1962novelOneFlewOvertheCuckoo'sNestbyKenKesey.Themoviewas thefirsttowinallfivemajorAcademyAwards(BestPicture,ActorinLeadRole,ActressinLead Role,Director,Screenplay)sinceItHappenedOneNightin1934,anaccomplishmentnotrepeated until1991,byTheSilenceoftheLambs.

RandlePatrickMcMurphy(JackNicholson),arecidivistcriminalservingashortprisontermona workfarmforstatutoryrape,istransferredtoamentalinstitutionduetohisapparentlyderanged behavior.ThisispossiblyadeliberategambitbyMcMurphyinthebeliefthathe'llnowbeableto serveouttherestofhissentenceinrelativecomfortandease.

Hiswardinthementalinstitutionisrunbyacalmbutunyieldingtyrant,NurseRatched(Louise Fletcher), who has cowed the patients most ofwhom arethere bychoice,categorized as "voluntary"patientsintodejectedsubmission.Whileheinitiallyhaslittlerespectforhisfellow patients,McMurphy'santiauthoritariannatureisaroused.HisneedlingofNurseRatchedisinitially justforkicks,buthissenseofinjusticeattheirtreatmentleadshimintoabattlefortheheartsandmindsofthepatients.

McMurphygraduallyformsdeepfriendshipsinthewardwithagroupofmenwhichincludesBillyBibbit(BradDourif),asuicidal, stutteringandhelplessyoungmanwhomRatchedhashumiliatedanddominated,and"Chief"Bromden(WillSampson),a6'5"(1.96 m)muscularNativeAmerican.InBilly,McMurphyseesayoungerbrotherfigurewhomhewantstoteachtohavefun,whiletheChief ultimatelybecomeshisonlyrealconfidant,astheybothseetheirstrugglesagainstauthorityinsimilarterms.

ThedramabuildsupwhenNurseRatcheddrivesBillytocommitsuicideandanenragedMcMurphytriestostrangulateherleadingto herpermanentlydamaginghervocalcords.McMurphyislobotomizedandtheChief,unabletobearthis,stragulateshimandescapes fromtheinstitution.

SlightlymanicandsometimesoverthetopperformancebyJackNicholsondrivesthisfilmforwardandLouiseFletcherwonderfully supportshimasthetyrannicalnurse.Theirinterplaysareelectricandonecanalmostheartheelectricitycracklingwhenthey confronteachother.ThisfilmremainsthebenchmarkperformancebyJackNicholson.

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Part 2 BOOKLIST
Thisbooklistisagenerallyrecommendedlistofalltimegreatauthorsandshouldbetakenupseriouslyby individuals keen on improving their overall personality and outlook towards life . These books cover all possiblefacetsofliteratureandifpursuedsincerelycanhelpbroadenyourhorizonsdramatically.Someof thesetitlesmaybeavailableinyourPTcentre'slibrary.Pleaselocateaccordingly.Inanycase,itisadvisable tostartmakingyourownpersonallibraryslowlyandsteadilyandseethetreasuretrovegrow.
S.No. BookTitle/Author ThemeofBook

Business/Management
1 . InSearchofExcellence TomPeters&RobertWaterman Junior TwoconsultantsfromMckinsey&Co,USAfindoutwhicharethe excellentcompaniesinUSAandwhatisthesecretoftheirsuccess. Theyfindacommonthreadrunningthroughthewaytheseexcellent corporationsruntheirbusiness. Analltimehit. Itisnolongerenoughtojustsatisfythecustomer.......heshould say'Wow!'afterusingyourproductorservice. Amasterpiece. Startswithexplaining"economiccycles"(TheKondriatiffcycle), takesonethroughthe"skunkworks"atIBM,HPetc.,andendswith insightsintoentrepreneurismandentrapreneurism.Veryinsightful. TheDaewoo(ex)CEOexplainshisrisefromanewspaperboytothe Koreanchaebol'sbossinalucidstylestressingvirtueslikehard work,dedication,honestyetc.Interesting. Explainswhatadvertisingisallaboutandwhatfactorsaffect advertisingplansandstrategies.Amasterpiece. Ahandyreferenceforstudents,containingwriteupsonmorethan 25alltimegreatmanagementthinkers.Useful. Oneoftheworld'sbestmanagerstellshissuccesssecretsinasimple styleillustratedwithexamples(IMGGroup,whichisbasicallyinto sporteventmarketing).VeryInsightful. TheexCEOofChryslerCorp.explainshisphilosophyandtakesyou insidetheworldofDetroitcarmakers.Great. Sony'sbosstellsusaboutthegrowthofhiscompanyandhiscountry. Aneyeopener. Alighterlookatthefunniersideofmodernmanagement.... ScottAdamsisthenemesisofthearchetypalboss! Funtoread. Thrownintopovertyatagefour,KonosukeMatsushitastruggledwith theearlydeathsoffamilymembers,anapprenticeshipwhichdemandedsixteen hourdaysatagenine,alltheproblemsassociatedwithstartingabusinesswith neithermoneynorconnections,thedeathofhisonlyson,theGreatDepression, thehorrorofWorldWarIIinJapanetc.YetMatsushitagrewtobeafabulously successfulentrepreneurandbusinessleader.Afantasticstory!

2 .

InPursuitof"Wow" TomPeters&RobertWaterman Junior Innovation&Entrepreneurship PeterDrucker

3 .

4 .

Every street is Paved withGold KimWooChoong OgilvyOnAdvertising DavidOgilvy Instant Management CarolKennedy Whattheydon'tteach atHarvardBusinessSchool MarkMacCormack LeeIacoccaAnautobiography LeeIacoccaTalkingstraight MadeinJapan AkioMorita TheDilbertFuture, TheDilbertPrinciple ScottAdams Matsushita Leadership JohnP.Kotter

5 .

6 .

7.

8 .

9 .

10.

11.

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S.No.

BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

12.

Success Secrets MarkH.McCormack

AsMarkMcCormackmakesclear,tosucceedinbusiness,youmust be'matchtough',youmusthavethecompetitiveedgewhichcomesonlythrough operatinginareaswhereyouarepushedtotheverylimit.Tosurviveunder suchconditionsisnevereasy,but,withSuccessSecrets,whereveryouareon thecorporateladder,youwillnolongerfindyourselfstrugglingtokeepupwith thecompetitiontheyshouldbestrugglingtokeepupwithyou.Inspirational. Theauthorshaveexaminedeighteenexceptionalandlonglasting companies, including General Electric, 3M, HewlettPackard and Procter & Gamble, and compared each with one of its closest but less successful competitors,inordertodiscoverjustwhathasgivenittheedgeoveritsrivals. Stronglessons. WhenJackWelchwasfirstnamedCEOofGeneralElectric,the businessworldsawGEasanintrinsicallyhealthycorporation,secureinits positionasaworldindustrialleader.Welchsawacompanyintrouble.Instead ofarocksolidcorporation,hesawGEasstandingonaprecipice:toolargeto fail, yet too unwieldy to adapt for further growth. So Welch rolled up his sleevesandwenttowork.Theprescientchangesheinstitutedrestructured andrevolutionizedGE,andmadeJackWelchthemostrespectedCEOinbusiness today.Amasterpiece! Organizationtheory,becauseofthebasicunpredictabilityofhuman behaviour,eludestheprecisequalificationsandprescriptionsofabehavioural science.Butthelargerandmorecomplextheorganizationsbecome,thegreater theneedtounderstandhowtheycanbemadetoworkeffectively.Analltime great ! InTheMcKinseyWay,RasielputsyouthroughMcKinseybootcamp soyoucanbeyourownconsultant,trackingdownironcladsolutionstotough businessproblems.Whetheryouareanexecutive,managerorbusinessowner tacklingtoughstrategicissues,orabusinessprofessionalstrivingtoimprove yourefficiency,effectiveness,andprofileinyourownorganization,itoffersa bold,fascinatingguidetobusinesssuccessaspracticedbythefirmthatdefines managementthinkingtoday.Alearningexperience! 'TheWorldIsFlat:ABriefHistoryoftheTwentyFirstCentury'isaninternational bestsellingbookbyThomasL.Friedmanthatanalyzesglobalization,primarilyin theearly21stcentury.Thetitleisametaphorforviewingtheworldasalevel playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors have an equal opportunity.Asthefirsteditioncoverillustrationindicates,thetitlealsoalludes totheperceptualshiftrequiredforcountries,companiesandindividualsto remaincompetitiveinaglobalmarketwherehistoricalandgeographicaldivisions arebecomingincreasinglyirrelevant. Freakonomics:ARogueEconomistExplorestheHiddenSideofEverything'isa 2005nonfictionbookbyUniversityofChicagoeconomistStevenLevittand NewYorkTimesjournalistStephenJ.Dubner.Thebookhasbeendescribedas meldingpopculturewitheconomics.Thebookisacollectionofeconomicarticles writtenbyLevitt,translatedintoprosemeantforawideaudience.Levitt,who inthebookisascribedtheepithet"rogueeconomist",hadalreadygaineda reputationinacademiaforapplyingeconomictheorytodiversesubjectsnot usuallycoveredby"traditional"economists ThebookexploreshowGooglechangedtheworldofinformationgatheringand trounceditscompetitors.Drawingonover350interviews,readthebookto discoverwhyGooglereallywassuccessful.

13.

BuiltToLast JamesC.Collins&JerryI.Porras

14.

JackWelchandtheGEWay RobertSlater

15.

UnderstandingOrganizations CharlesB.Handy

16.

TheMcKinseyWay EthanM.Rasiel

17.

TheWorldIsFlat ThomasL.Friedman

18.

Freakonomics StevenLevitt,StephenJ.Dubner

19.

The Search JohnBattelle

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S.No.

BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

20.

TheLeadershipIntegrityChallenge EdwardE.Morler

Thebookprovidesguidanceforleaderswhowanttofollowacomprehensive approachtocreatingacultureofintegrity.EdwardE.Morleroffersthetools forhowtodevelopacorecompetencyofassessingandfacilitatingemotional maturity. Gladwellexploresthepowerofthetrainedmindtomakesplitseconddecisions. Theauthordescribeshissubjectas"thinslicing":ourabilitytogaugewhatis reallyimportantfromaverynarrowperiodofexperience.Inotherwords, spontaneousdecisionsareoftenasgoodasorevenbetterthancarefully plannedandconsideredones.Gladwelldrawsonexamplesfromscience, advertising,sales,medicine,andpopularmusictoreinforcehisideas. ThebookbyMarcusBuckinghamprovidesinsightstohelpyouunderstandyour ownstrengths(andweaknesses)better.Thenstretchanduseittohelpyou understandyourpeoplebetter. MarcusBuckinghamandCurtCoffmansummarizeinthisbooktheresultsof theirindepthstudyofgreatmanagers.Themanagerswhoultimatelybecame thefocusoftheresearchexcelledatdevelopingeachemployee'sspecifictalents andgrowingthemintotopperformers.Thesemanagers,asthetitlesays,do nothesitatetobreakanyrulethatconventionalwisdomsaysmustbefollowed. Eachyear,DiannaBooherteachesthousandsofpeoplehowtocommunicate moreeffectively,atwork,athome,inanysituation.Thisbookdistillshertips intoasinglesourcethatyoucanusetoincreaseyourabilitytothinkonyour feetandverballycommunicatewithconfidence. 'GoodtoGreat:WhySomeCompaniesMaketheLeap...andOthersDon't'isa managementbookbyJamesC.Collinsthataimstodescribehowcompanies transitionfrombeingaveragecompaniestogreatcompaniesandhowcompanies canfailtomakethetransition."Greatness"isdefinedasfinancialperformance severalmultiplesbetterthanthemarketaverageoverasustainedperiodof time.Collinsfindsthemainfactorforachievingthetransitiontobeanarrow focusingofthecompany'sresourcesontheirfieldofcompetence. 'WhoMovedMyCheese?AnAmazingWaytoDealwithChangeinYourWork andinYourLife',publishedin1998,isamotivationalbookbySpencerJohnson writteninthestyleofaparable.Itdescribeschangeinone'sworkandlife,and fourtypicalreactionstosaidchangewithtwomice,two"littlepeople",and theirhuntsforcheese. 'Barbariansat theGate: TheFall ofRJRNabisco' isa 1990book aboutthe leveragedbuyout(LBO)ofRJRNabisco,writtenbyinvestigativejournalists BryanBurroughandJohnHelyar.ThebookcentersonF.RossJohnson,the CEOofRJRNabisco,whoplannedtobuyouttherestoftheNabisco shareholders. 'RichDadPoorDad'advocatesfinancialindependencethroughinvesting,real estate,owningbusinesses,andtheuseoffinanceprotectiontactics.Thebook iswritteninananecdotalmannerandisaimedatcreatingpublicinterestin finance.KiyosakiandLechterstresstheadvocacyofowningthesystemor meansofproduction,ratherthanbeinganemployeeasarecurringthemein thebook'schapters.

21.

Blink MalcolmGladwell

22.

NowDiscoverYourStrengths MarcusBuckingham

23.

First,BreakAlltheRules MarcusBuckinghamandCurtCoffman

24.

CommunicatewithConfidence! DiannaBooher

25.

GoodtoGreat JamesC.Collins

26.

WhoMovedMyCheese? SpencerJohnson

27.

BarbariansattheGate BryanBurroughandJohnHelyar

28.

RichDadPoorDad RobertKiyosakiandSharonLechter

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S.No.

BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

29.

InSpiteoftheGods EdwardLuce

Inhis'InSpiteoftheGods:TheStrangeRiseofModernIndia'EdwardLuce,a onetimeNewDelhicorrespondentforTheFinancialTimes,describesthe conflictingforcesatworkinIndia,ashevisitsInfosys'plushofficesinBangalore, bustlingcallcentersinMumbai,andimpoverishedfarmersinthestateofUttar Pradesh.Herevealsthatlessthan10%ofIndia's470millionworkersare employedintheformaleconomy,whilemorethan300millionliveinsqualorin thecountry's680,000villages.Luce'svividanecdotesandtrenchantanalysis makethisvolumeapleasuretoread. 'AsianGodfathers:MoneyandPowerinHongKongandSoutheastAsia'isa bookbyJoeStudwell,founderoftheChinaEconomicQuarterly.LiKashing, RobertKuok,StanleyHo,andothermogulsareamongtherichestmenonthe planet.Yetinaregionfullofsuchtycoons,whyisonesohardpressedto identifygloballycompetitiveSoutheastAsianmultinationals?Studwellargues thatwiththesefewmencontrollingvastenterprises,regionaleconomieshaven't masteredthe"technologicalcapabilities,brandedcorporations,andproductivity gainsthatdrivesustainableeconomicdevelopment." FormerFedChiefAlanGreenspan's'TheAgeofTurbulence:Adventuresina NewWorldmadeheadlineswithitsscornfortheBushadministration's economics,GOPcongressmen,andRichardNixon.Thevolumeisalsoamemoir ofGreenspan'slife,fromhisboyhoodinNewYorktoleadershipoftheworld's mostpowerfulcentralbank.Butthebook'struevalueliesinitssecondhalf, wheretheauthoroffershistakeoneverythingfromRussiatofinancial regulationandtheinevitableslowdownofglobalization. Accordingtotheauthor,anyattemptsatpredictionareafool'sgame.Taleb's adviceistoassumethatreallycrazythingscanandwillhappen.Youshouldset yourselfupsothatyoucanbenefitfromgoodcrazythingsratherthanbeing hurtbybadcrazythings.Hisbestselling'TheBlackSwan:TheImpactofthe HighlyImprobable'elaboratesontheunpredictabilityoflife,athesisfirst expoundedinapreviousbook,FooledbyRandomness.Talebridiculesthe mathematicalconstructsunderlyingmodernfinanceinwhatreviewerPeter Coycalled"arichlyenjoyablereadwithanimportantmessage." Inhisbook'TheStrategyParadox:WhyCommittingtoSuccessLeadstoFailure (AndWhattoDoAboutIt)',authorRaynorcontendsthatsuccessfulandfailing companiesoftensharemanysimilarities,because"thestrategiesthathavethe bestchanceofsucceedingbrilliantlyarealsotheonesmostexposedtothe mostdebilitatingkindofstrategicuncertainty."TheDeloitteResearchconsultant deducesthatwhatisneededisachangeingovernancestructureandaserious commitmenttostrategicplanning,withseniorexecutivesmappingoutevery scenariotheycanimagine. FormerNewYorkerwriterJohnNewhouse's'BoeingVersusAirbus:TheInside StoryoftheGreatestInternationalCompetitioninBusiness'offersaninstructive viewofthetwocompaniesduringthelatterhalfofthe1990sandintothis century.NewhousedepictstheU.S.planemakerasstrugglingwithavarietyof issuesinthelate1990s,particularlythatofabsorbingnewacquisitionsand managingamuchenlargedorganization.Healsocapturestherecentdeclineof AirbusandthestorybehindthetroublesplaguingitsA380.

30.

Asian Godfathers JoeStudwell

31.

TheAgeofTurbulence AlanGreenspan

32.

TheBlackSwan NassimNicholasTaleb

33.

The Strategy Paradox MichaelE.Raynor

34.

BoeingVersusAirbus JohnNewhouse

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35.

TheOilandtheGlory SteveLeVine

TheOilandtheGlory:ThePursuitofEmpireandFortuneontheCaspianSea' byformerWallStreetJournalcorrespondentSteveLeVineisacannyand entertaininglookatthedubiouspractices,intrigue,andpoliticalarmtwisting thatcanbeapartofdealsindevelopingnations,wheremoreandmoreofthe oilbusinesstakesplace.ThedisintegrationoftheSovietUnionintheearly 1990sunleashedamoderndayKlondikeinthebleakCaspianregion,withoil giantsbuttingheadsanddistributingmoneytogainaccesstothehugeoil fields.Ahostofoutrageous,sometimesintimidatingcharactershelpmake LeVine'sbookengrossing. Afascinatingimmigrantfamilysagaandunusualbusinessnarrativemaybe foundin'TheHouseofMondavi:TheRiseandFallofanAmericanWineDynasty' byJuliaFlynnSilerofTheWallStreetJournal.PaterfamiliasCesareMondavi beganthefamilyenterprisewithanearly20thcenturyfruitwholesaling business.Inthe1940s,thefamilymovedintowinemakingwiththepurchaseof theCharlesKrugWinery.ButtheMondaviswouldprovetobeoneofthemost dysfunctionalfamiliesinthehistoryofU.S.industry,andafterrepeatedfeuds, by2004thecompanywasontheblock.Itwasasadconclusiontoafascinating historyfilledwithcharismaticyetflawedcharacters. In'TheBillionaireWhoWasn't:HowChuckFeeneySecretlyMadeandGave AwayaFortune',IrishjournalistConorO'Clerychroniclesthefascinatinglifeof amostunusualSamaritan.Throughthe1970sand'80s,ChuckFeeneyand partnerRobertMillerbuiltDutyFreeShoppersintoaninternationalbehemoth. Meanwhile,Feeneydecidedtogivehiswealthsteadilyaway,transferringhis shareofDutyFreetoanoffshorefoundationwhosegrantsarecloakedin secrecy. 'TheRoadAhead',abookwrittenbyBillGates,NathanMyhrvoldandPeter Rinearsonandpublishedin1995,summarizedtheimplicationsofthepersonal computingrevolutionanddescribedafutureprofoundlychangedbythearrival ofaglobalinteractivenetwork. ConsultantJohnKaoassertsthatAmerica'scompetitiveadvantageisgoing, going,nearlygone.'InnovationNation:HowAmericaIsLosingItsInnovation Edge,WhyItMatters,andWhatWeCanDotoGetItBack'notesthattoday, talentismorewidelydispersedacrosstheglobethaneverbefore.Venture capitalpoolsarelaunchingagenerationofnewstartupsacrossAsiaandEurope. HowshouldtheU.S.respond?Foronething,Kaowouldspend$20billionto create20innovationhubsrevolvingaroundsuchthingsascleanenergy,digital media,andhealthcare.

36.

TheHouseofMondavi JuliaFlynnSiler

37.

TheBillionaireWhoWasn't ConorO'Clery

38.

The Road Ahead BillGates

39.

InnovationNation JohnKao

Psychology
40. I'mOKyou'reOK ThomasAHarris StayingOK ThomasA.Harris GamesPeoplePlay EricBerne TheoriesofPersonality HallandLindzey Abookontransactionalanalysis,selfanalysis,organisational behaviourthattalksaboutcharactertraitsetc.Opensyourmind. Almostsimilartoabove.

41.

42.

Talksaboutpeople'spsychologyinthemodernworldgiving daytodayexamples.Opensyourmind. Sortofanintroductorytextbookforstudentsinterestedinknowing somethingseriousaboutFreud,Jung,Maslowetc. Alearningexperience. Superbanalysisofhowman'sbrainallowedhimtocometothemodern stage.Amasterpiece.

43.

44.

TheDragonsofEden CarlSagan

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BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

45.

GluttonsandLibertines MarstonBates

Thepictureofmanthatemergesfromthesepagesisaremarkable one.Fromabiologicalpointofview,manistheleasteconomicalofallanimals: herefusesnourishingfoodevenwhenitisimmediatelyavailabletohim,he engagesinsexualactivitiesthataresimplyexorbitantwhenseenasadevice toassurereproduction,hespoilstheresourcesoftheenvironmentinwhichhe lives,andingeneralheengagesinaformofwastethatnootherspeciescould evenbegintoafford. Amasterpiece.

Motivational
46. JonathanLivingstonSeagull RichardBach IllusionsChangingperceptions RichardBach One RichardBach Bridge across forever RichardBach Runningfrom safety RichardBach FountainHead AynRand Atlas Shrugged AynRand Thesevenhabitsofhighly effectivepeople StevanCovey SnapshotsfromhellThe makingofanMBA PeterRobinson(MBAStanford)

47.

48.

49.

50.

All these are motivational books on self development,relationships,valuesystems, nature of reality etc. Meant for serious

readers.

51.

Talksofaniconoclasticarchitect'slifestoryandstrugglesagainsta conventionalsociety.Amasterpiece. Talksofobjectiveindividualism,strugglesofaboldworkingwoman whodaredtothinkdifferently.Inspirational. Alreadyamanagementmasterpiece.Lucidlyexplainsthedifferences betweensuccessfulandunsuccessfulpeople. Aninsider'slookathowanexcellentMBAcourseisactually conductedThetrialsandtribulations.Lovely!

52.

53.

54.

ScienceNonfiction
55. Cosmos CarlSagan PaleBlueDot CarlSagan TheTrialsofLife LifeonEarth, TheLivingPlanet SirDavidAttenborough TheMakingofMankind RichardE.Leakey TheAscentof Man JacobBrownowsky Thealltimegreatmasterpiecethattalksofpolitics,humans, evolutions,ETlife,geneticsandofcourse......Astronomy! TalksaboutthefutilityoflifeonEarthasseenagainstthe cosmicbackdrop. ThealltimegreattrialogydescribinglifeonEarth.

56.

57.

58.

Adetailedaccountofman'sevolutionarypathasfound throughthefossilsinAfrica.....Aneyeopener. Amasterpieceonwhatmakesmandifferentfromeverything elseonthisplanet.

59.

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BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

60.

ManWatching, AnimalWatching, TheNakedApe, TheHumanZoo DesmondMorris ABriefHistoryofTime TheUniverseinaNutshell StephenHawking

Neatlydescribesthehumanracefromthepointofviewof akeenobserver.Lotsofillustrations,examples.

61.

ExplainsthenatureofUniversewithspecialemphasison BlackHoles.....Alltimebestseller.

62.

FutureShock, PowerShift, ThirdWave AlvinToffler ParadigmsLost, Complexifications JohnL.Casti TheTaoofPhysics FritjofCapra

TheclassicTofflertrilogy.....Talksaboutnatureofpower, developmentofpoweroverthousandofyears,changessweeping theworldandman'senabilitytocopewiththesame. ReadtheFuture. Ascientist'sviewofuncertaintiesinnature,lawsofnature,man's limitationsinunderstandingnature.Seriousstuffmeantforthe maturereader.IntenseStuff. Itistheauthor'sclassicexplorationoftheconnectionsbetween Easternmysticismandmodernphysics.Aninternationalbestseller,thebook's centralthesis,thatthemysticaltraditionsoftheEastconstituteacoherent philosophicalframeworkwithinwhichthemostadvancedWesterntheoriesof thephysicalworldcanbeaccommodated,hasnotonlywithstoodthetestof timebutisevermoreemphaticallyendorsedbyongoingexperimentationand research.Insightful! Thescienceofchaoscutsacrosstraditionalscientificdisciplines, tyingtogetherunrelatedkindsofwildnessandirregularity,fromtheturbulence ofweathertothecomplicatedrhythmsofthehumanheart,fromthedesignof snowflakestothewhorlsofwindsweptdesertsands.Interesting.

63.

64.

65.

Chaos JamesGleick

ScienceFiction
66. Contact CarlSagan TheROBOTSeries IsaacAsimov The Odyssey Series ArthurC.Clarke BraveNewWorld AldousHuxley Tantalizinglytalksaboutman'sfirstencounterwithETlife.

67.

Talksaboutthelawsofroboticsandman'srelationshipwith robots. Agreatseriesonman'striptoJupiter,aroguecomputer HAL,ETlife.....Trulyamasterpiece. Achillingnarrationofwhatlifemaybecomeintheageofgenetic scienceandbiotechnology.

68.

69.

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BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

Philosophy
70.

LogicandKnowledge, WhyIamNotaChristian, Russell'sBest, ThePrinciplesofMathematics, HumanKnowledge, PhilosophicalEssays, OurKnowledgeofthe ExternalWorld, HumanSocietyinEthics andPolitics, ThePhilosophyofLeibniz, TheAnalysisofMind, MyPhilosophicalDevelopment, PoliticalIdeals, Roadsto Freedom, MarriageandMorals, UnpopularEssays, InPraiseofIdleness, AuthorityandTheIndividual, TheImpactofScienceonSociety,
BertrandRussell

Logic ScepticalEssays AssortedEssays Mathematics Philosophy Philosophy Science General/Politics Biography Philosophy/Psychology Biography/Philosophy Politics/General Politics Anthropology/Sociology Miscellaneous General Psychology Science

Alltheseareproducts ofthebrilliantmindof British p o l y m a t h Bertrand R u s s e l l . Shockinglyiconoclastic, surprisinglyhumourous, immensely witty, and full of human passion anddignity. Amustforanyreader intendingtodevelopan insightintophilosophy.

71.

TalksandDialogues, CommentariesonLiving, TheFirstandLastFreedom, TheImpossibleQuestion, TheBookofLife, TheYearsofAwakening, QuestioningKrishnamurti, TheYearsofFulfillment, TraditionandRevolution, TheFlightoftheEagle, LifeAhead, ThisMatterofCulture, TheWayofIntelligence, TheEndingofTime
J.Krishnamurti

Psychology Life Philosophy Philosophy General Biographical Biographical Biographical Miscellaneous Psychology General Culture Psychology General

AuniqueIndianinsight into life, its meaning, approachestolife,the Indianapproach,etc. A m us t read for any s t u d e n t w h o i s a beginner.

72.

TheSecond Sex SimoneDeBeauvoir Zen&theArtofMotorcycle MaintenanceRobertM.Pirsig TheStoryofPhilosophy WilliamDurant AnIdealistViewofLife Radhakrishnan

Thephilosophyofwomanasthesecondsex.....Thisbook revolutionisedsociety'soutlooktowardswomen. Thephilosophyoflifeasseenthroughtheeyesofa wanderingmotorcyclist. Abeautifulcollectionofdifferentphilosophers'viewpoints.... Agreatcompilation. 'Scienceisasystemofsecondcauses,whichcannotdescribethe worldadequately,muchlessaccountforit'.Radhakrishnanexploresinthis bookmodernintellectualdebateandthevainattemptstofindasubstitutefor religion.Hediscusses,drawinguponthetraditionsofEastandWest,thenature andvalidityofreligiousexperience.Finally,hecreatesafinevisionofman's evolutionandtheemergenceofhighervalues.Therangeofsubjectcombined withtheauthor'sownfaith,undogmaticandfreeofcreed,makesthisbooka philosophicaleducationinitself.

73.

74.

75.

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BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

Creativity
76.

PracticalThinking , HandbookforthePositiveRevolution, Wordpower, LetterstoThinkers, TeachYourselftoThink, ConflictsABetterWaytoResolveThem, TheHappinessPurpose, WaterLogic, The5dayCourseinThinking, Masterthinker's Handbook
EdwardDeBono

A great collection forthosewhowish todevelopthinking skills beyond the ordinary.

77.

HowWouldYouMoveMountFuji? In'HowWouldYouMoveMountFuji?',authorWilliamPoundstoneprovides WilliamPoundstone strategiesforjobseekerswalkingintoaworldofjobinterviewsaffectedby "Microsoft'scultofthepuzzle"(thebook'ssubtitle).What'sinteresting,though, isthathespendsafairchunkofthebookdiscreditingperformanceinsolving puzzlesasatruemeasureofaperson'sintelligence,andintelligencetestingas doneusingtheStanfordBinettestasawhole.

GeneralFiction
78.

TheHospital, TheAirport, StrongMedicineetc.

ArthurHailey

Wellresearchedthrillersforsomelightreading

79.

NotAPennyMoreNotA PennyLess, ShallWeTellthePresident? KaneandAbeletc.

Jeffrey Archer

Enjoyablereadingforrelievingstress.

NineteenEightyFourisaclassicnovelbyEnglishauthorGeorgeOrwellthat focusesonarepressive,totalitarianregimewherecivillibertiesareabsentand peoplearebrainwashedintosubmission.Thestoryfollowsthelifeofone seeminglyinsignificantman,WinstonSmith,a civilservantassignedthetaskof falsifying records and political literature,thuseffectivelyperpetuating p r o p a g a n d a . S m i t h growsdisillusionedwithhismeagreexistenceandsobegins a n u l t i m a t e l y f u t i l e rebellionagainstthesystem.Thenovelhasbecomefamous f o r i t s p o r t r a y a l o f surveillanceandgovernment'sincreasingencroachmenton t h e r i g h t s o f t h e individual.SinceitspublicationthetermsBigBrotherand O r w e l l i a n haveenteredthepopularvernacular. 81. Congo, Jurassic Park, Contagionetc. MichaelCrichton AnimalFarm GeorgeOrwell Wellresearchedsciencethemedthrillers

80.

NineteenEightyFour GeorgeOrwell

82.

GeorgeOrwell's'AnimalFarm'reflectseventsleadinguptoandduringthe StalinerabeforeWorldWarII.Theshortnovellaisanallegoryinwhichanimals playtherolesoftheBolshevikrevolutionariesandoverthrowandoustthe humanownersofthefarm,settingitupasacommuneinwhich,atfirst,all animalsareequalhowever,classandstatusdisparitiessoonemergebetween thedifferentanimalspecies(thepigsbeingthe"greaterspecies").Thenovel describeshowasociety'sideologiescanbemanipulatedandtwistedbythose inpositionsofsocialandpoliticalpower,includinghowautopiansocietyis madeimpossiblebythecorruptingnatureoftheverypowernecessaryto createit.

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ThemeofBook

83.

TheWhiteTiger AravindAdiga

The2008BookerprizewinningnovelbyIndianauthorAravindAdigastudies thecontrastbetweenIndia'sriseasamodernglobaleconomyandthemain characterBalramHalwai,whocomesfromcrushingruralpoverty.Thenovel takestheformofaseriesofletterswrittenlateatnightbytheprotagonist BalramtoWenJiabao,thePremieroftheStateCouncilofthePeople'sRepublic ofChina.Intheletters,Balramdescribeshisrisefromlowlyoriginstohis currentpositionasanentrepreneurinBangalore,aswellashisviewsonIndia's castesystemanditspoliticalcorruption. The2006BookerprizewinningbookbyIndianauthorKiranDesaihasamongits mainthemesmigrationandlivingbetweentwoworldsandbetweenpastand present.Setinthe1980s,thebooktellsthestoryofJemubhaiPopatlalPatel, ajudgelivingoutadisenchantedretirementinKalimpong,ahillstationinthe Himalayanfoothills,andhisrelationshipwithhisgranddaughterSai.Thenovel alsodepictstheinsurgencyintheHimalayasbytheGorkhapeoplefightingfor theirownidentityanditsimpactonthewiderpopulation.Anotherfocusofthe novelisthelifeofBiju,thesonofMr.Patel'scookanillegalimmigrantmaking hiswayinNewYork 'VernonGodLittle'isthe2003BookerPrizewinningnovelofDBCPierre.The maincharacterofthenovelisafifteenyearoldboywholivesinasmalltown intheU.S.stateofTexas.WhenhisfriendJesusNavarrocommitssuicideafter killingsixteenbullyingschoolmates,suspicionfallsonVernon,whobecomes somethingofascapegoatinhissmallhometownofMartirio.Fearingthedeath penalty,hegoesontheruntoMexico.Thebooksatirizestrailerparkresidents, themedia,andmostofall,thosewhobelievethatlifeintheUnitedStatesis justlikewhattheyseeontheTVnews.TheBookerPrizejudgesdescribeditas a"coruscatingblackcomedyreflectingouralarmbutalsoourfascinationwith America". 'LifeofPi'isafantasyadventurenovelwrittenbyCanadianauthorYannMartel. Inthestory,theprotagonistPiscine'Pi'MolitorPatel,anIndianboyfrom Pondicherry,exploresissuesofreligion,spirituality,andpracticalityfroman earlyage.Hesurvives227daysafterashipwreck,whilestrandedonaboatin thePacificOcean.ThenovelwontheprestigiousManBookerPrizeforFictionin 2002. 'TheBlindAssassin'is2000BookerPrizewinningnovelbytheCanadianauthor MargaretAtwood.Thebookcentresontheprotagonist,IrisChase,andher sisterLaura,whocommittedsuicideimmediatelyaftertheSecondWorldWar. Iris,nowanoldwoman,recallstheeventsandrelationshipsofherchildhood, youthandmiddleage,aswellasherunhappymarriagetoRichardGriffen,a rivalofherindustrialistfather. 'Disgrace'isanovelbySouthAfricanbornauthorJ.M.Coetzee,winnerofthe 2003NobelPrizeinLiteraturethebookitselfwontheBookerPrizein1999. DisgraceisthestoryofaDavidLurie,twicedivorcedanddissatisfiedwithhis jobasanEnglishprofessor,wholoseseverything:hisreputation,hisjob,his peaceofmind,hisgoodlooks,hisdreamsofartisticsuccess,andfinallyeven hisabilitytoprotecthischerisheddaughter.InthenewSouthAfrica,violence isunleashedinnewways,andLurieandhisdaughterbecomevictims. 'Amsterdam',anovelbyBritishwriterIanMcEwan,isamoralitytalerevolving aroundanewspapereditorVernonHallidayandeminentcomposerCliveLinley. DuringthecourseofthebookCliveandVernonbecomemortalenemiesbenton exactingrevenge.Theconsequencesoftheirdecisions,andapactmade betweenthem,leadthembothtoAmsterdamwherethenovel'sdnouement playsout.McEwanwasawardedthe1998BookerPrizeforthenovel. 'TheGodofSmallThings'(1997)isapoliticallychargednovelbyIndianauthor ArundhatiRoy.Itisastoryaboutthechildhoodexperiencesofapairoffraternal twinswhobecomevictimsofcircumstance.Thebookisadescriptionofhowthe smallthingsinlifebuildup,translateintopeople'sbehaviorandaffecttheir lives.ThebookwontheBookerPrizein1997.
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84.

TheInheritanceofLoss KiranDesai

85.

VernonGodLittle DBCPierre

86.

LifeofPi YannMartel

87.

TheBlindAssassin MargaretAtwood

88.

Disgrace J.M.Coetzee

89.

Amsterdam IanMcEwan

90.

TheGodofSmallThings ArundhatiRoy

S.No.

BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

91.

TheFamished Road BenOkri

'TheFamishedRoad'isthe1991BookerPrizewinningnovelwrittenbyNigerian authorBenOkri.ThenovelfollowsthelifeofAzaro,anabikuorspiritchild, livinginanunnamedmostlikelyNigeriancity.Thenovelemploysaunique narrativestyleincorporatingthespiritworldwiththe"real"worldinwhatsome haveclassifiedasmagicalrealism.Othershavelabeleditanimistrealism.Still otherschoosetosimplycallthenovelfantasyliterature. JapaneseBritishauthorKazuoIshiguro's'TheRemainsofTheDay'wonthe KazuoIshiguroBookerPrizein1989.ThenovelTheRemainsoftheDaytellsthe storyofStevens,anEnglishbutlerwhodedicateshislifetotheloyalserviceof LordDarlington(mentionedinincreasingdetailinflashbacks).Thestoryistold fromthefirstpersonpointofviewwiththenarratorrecallinghislifethrougha lettertoanunknownpersonwhileprogressingthroughthepresent.Eventsin thenarrator'scontemporaryliferemindhimofeventsfromhispast. SalmanRushdie's'Midnight'sChildren'wonthe1981BookerPrize.Thenovelis alooseallegoryforeventsinIndiabothbeforeand,primarily,afterthe independenceandpartitionofIndia,whichtookplaceatmidnighton15August 1947.TheprotagonistandnarratorofthestoryisSaleemSinai,atelepathwith anextraordinarynose.Thetechniqueofmagicalrealismfindsliberalexpression throughoutthenovelandiscrucialtoconstructingtheparalleltothecountry's history. 'HeatandDust'isanovelbyRuthPrawerJhabvalawhichwontheBookerPrize in1975.TheeventsofthestorytakeplaceinIndia,duringtheperiodsofthe BritishRajinthe1920sandthepresentdayofthenovel(the1970s).Ayoung Englishwoman,searchesforthetruthabouthergreatauntOlivia(1920s).The narratordiscoversthatOliviawasawomansmotheredbythesocialrestrictions placeduponherbyBritishsociety. 'Sophie'sChoice',anovelbyWilliamStyronpublishedin1979,concernsayoung AmericanSoutherner,anaspiringwriter,whobefriendstheJewishNathan LandauandhisbeautifulloverSophie,aPolish(butnonJewish)survivorofthe Naziconcentrationcamps.ThedifficultdecisionthatshapesthecharacterSophie issometimesusedasanidiom.A"Sophie'sChoice"isatragicchoicebetween twounbearableoptions. 'TheShippingNews'isa1993PulitzerPrizeandNationalBookAwardwinning novelbyE.AnnieProulx.ThestorycentersonQuoyle,anewspaperworker fromNewYorkwhosefatherhademigratedfromNewfoundland.Shortlyafter thesuicideofhisparents,Quoyle'sunfaithfulandabusivewifePetalandher loverleavetown.Dayslater,shesellstheirdaughterstoa'blackmarketadoption agency'forthesumof$6,000.Soonthereafter,Petalandherloverarekilled inacaraccidenttheyounggirlsarelocatedbypoliceandreturnedtoQuoyle. Despitethesafereturnofhisdaughters,Quoyle'slifeiscollapsingandhis paternalaunt,AgnisHamm,convinceshimtoreturntotheirancestralhomeof Newfoundlandforanewbeginning. 'AllthePrettyHorses',anovelbyU.S.authorCormacMcCarthy,wontheU.S. NationalBookAwardin1992.ThenoveltellsofJohnGradyCole,asixteen yearoldcowboywhogrewuponhisgrandfathers'sranchinwestTexas.The storybeginssoonafterthedeathofJohnGrady'sgrandfather,andJohnGrady learnsthattheranchistobesold.Facedwiththeprospectofmovinginto town,JohnGradyinsteadchoosestoleave,convincinghisbestfriend,Lacey Rawlins,toaccompanyhim. 'TheColorPurple'receivedthe1983PulitzerPrizeforFictionandtheNational BookAward.TakingplacemostlyinruralGeorgia,thestoryfocusesonfemale blacklifeduringthe1930sintheSouthernUnitedStates,addressingthe numerousissuesintheblackfemalelife,includingtheirexceedinglylowposition inAmericansocialculture.

92.

TheRemainsoftheDay KazuoIshiguro

93.

Midnight'sChildren SalmanRushdie

94.

HeatandDust RuthPrawerJhabvala

95.

Sophie'sChoice WilliamStyron

96.

TheShippingNews E.AnnieProulx

97.

AllthePrettyHorses CormacMcCarthy

98.

TheColorPurple AliceWalker

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BookTitle/Author

ThemeofBook

99.

RabbitisRich JohnUpdike

'RabbitIsRich',awardedthePulitzerPrizeforFictionin1982,isthethirdnovel inthefourpartserieswhichbeginswithRabbit,RunandRabbitRedux,and concludeswithRabbitAtRest.ThenovelexaminesthelifeofHarry"Rabbit" Angstrom,aonetimehighschoolbasketballstar,whohasreachedapaunchy middleagewithoutstrayingfromBrewer,Pennsylvania,thedowntrodden, fictionalcityofhisbirth.HarryandJanice,hiswifeoftwentytwoyears,live comfortably,havinginheritedherlatefather'sToyotadealership.Heisindeed rich,butHarry'spersistentproblemshiswife'sdrinking,histroubledson's schemes,hislibido,andspectresfromhispastcomplicatelife. 'ColdMountain'isa1997historicalfictionnovelbyCharlesFrazier.Ittellsthe storyofW.P.Inman,awoundeddeserterfromtheConfederatearmynearthe endoftheAmericanCivilWarwhowalksformonthstoreturntoAdaMonroe, theloveofhislifetheplotsharesseveralsimilaritieswithHomer'sTheOdyssey. ThenovelalternateschapterbychapterbetweenInman'sandAda'sstories.

100.

ColdMountain CharlesFrazier

... the list continues. In fact the more you read, the more you will become aware of newer authors,newertitles,newerthemes.Takethefirststep,andyourjourneytowardsagreatfuture withunlimitedhorizonswouldhavealreadybegun.

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