Sunday, November 18, 2018

Book Review of The Peshwa – War of the Deceivers by Ram Sivasankaran

A good read for the strong-willed!


There are close to 5-6 plots introduced elaborately in the book and start running in parallel with the story, only to merge flawlessly in the end.  The book engages you with its various plots which makes it difficult to put down.
The author has woven his story around an event in history and has very effortlessly brought in the fiction element so that it becomes an interesting story.

The little illustrations in each chapter don’t go unnoticed to the reader. The author gives an elaborate description of minute details like the character’s dressing, facial expression, posture etc. However, sometimes the detailing of barbaric scenes has become so elaborate that it borders to being gory, where the author could have omitted a few details without losing the essence of the scene.

I have not read the author’s first book, but never the less enjoyed this book because of its well-knit storyline. There are some incidents which would leave you wanting for more...

Glossary is a very good help for words that are not understood even for some Indian(Hindi understanding) readers, though it could be more elaborate e.g. Prostration...

The language used is very simple and even the old way of speaking English is not lost on the reader. This book leverages from the author’s background of being a scientist and shows how deep research and imagination can create a compelling storyline.

The main selling point of the whole story is that the author has not taken sides. He has shown the Marathas, Mughals, Khalsas, Bundelas, Rajputanas in the same light of positivity and only slowly but steadily brought the angle of Marathas; prevalent.

It’s a real delight for history lovers and worth reading to witness history unfold before you…

Title of the Book: The Peshwa – War of the Deceivers
Author Name: Ram Sivasankaran
Maps: Included in the book, before the 1st chapter
Price: Rs.599/-
The book is available on amazon