This is an excellent book on the history of south India. The author has treated the subject and the timeline very well. The history of various kingdoms and the battles they fought are presented very well. The best parts though are the reviews of developments in the art, literature, religion and philosophy of these eras.

However, it is easy to get lost in the banana republic that was India - with the too-frequent mentions of back and forth wars and minor characters distracting from the larger picture.
And the maps are horrid! Not fit for publication at all, they are likely to confuse the reader rather than engage. ( )