Mahābhārata (C. Rajagopalachari ed.)

Mahabharata is the one of the most important, interesting and influential mythology/story in the whole world. C Rajagopalachari does a great job of translating this epic poem into English making it accessible yet without leaving out too much detail. It's a very good book for anyone to want to have taste of one of the greatest story ever told. ( )

Reprinted in 43 editions, Rajaji's abridged rendition in simple prose of the great epic remains my favorite, since it was the one I read as a child. There is a sense of flow throughout, especially when the battle itself begins, and each of the eighteen days of battle draws to a close, the pulse quickens and you cannot wait for the happenings of the next. An adept at story-telling. One hundred and seven chapters in 444 pages, baby chapters indeed, but how captivating for a child, and yet still for a grown-up.
I must digress to gossip about the author, a statesman, and a penman and scholar. He had many sons, and did not want to appear to be using his influence to bear to get them any undue priviliges in career or life. So, to the opposite extent of nepotism, he would call ahead and tell folk NOT to give his children jobs they did not deserve on their merit. I have heard that this harshness did them a disservice, for I have seen, pointed out to me, in Madras, one heir of his, trawling day on end for discarded paper on the dirty sidewalks of the city circa 1970. ( )