Journey along one of the world's greatest rivers and catch a glimpse into the lives and cultures of the people who live along its banks The Ganges flows through northern India and Bangladesh for more than 1,500 miles before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is sacred to Hindus who worship Ganga, the river goddess. But it has also long been a magnet for foreigners, some seeking to unravel its mysteries and others who have come in search of plunder. In On the Ganges , George Black, who chronicled the exploration of the ...
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Journey along one of the world's greatest rivers and catch a glimpse into the lives and cultures of the people who live along its banks The Ganges flows through northern India and Bangladesh for more than 1,500 miles before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is sacred to Hindus who worship Ganga, the river goddess. But it has also long been a magnet for foreigners, some seeking to unravel its mysteries and others who have come in search of plunder. In On the Ganges , George Black, who chronicled the exploration of the American West and the creation of Yellowstone National Park in Empire of Shadows , takes readers on an extraordinary journey from the glaciers of the Himalayas to the sacred city of Varanasi to the "hundred mouths" of the Ganges Delta. On the Ganges , parts of which originated from a New Yorker article published last year, introduces us to a vivid and often eccentric cast of characters who worship the river, pollute it, and flock to it from all over the world in search of enlightenment and adventure. Black encounters those who run the corrupt cremation business, workers who eke out a living in squalid factories, religious fanatics, and Brits who continue to live as if the Raj had never ended. By the end of his journey, Black has given us a memorable picture of the great river, with all its riddles and contradictions, both sacred and profane, giving the last word to a man scavenging for the gifts left by pilgrims: There are good days and there are bad days. It all depends. Everything is in the hands of our mother, Ma Ganga.
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Seller's Description:
The Ganges flows through northern India and Bangladesh for approximately 1, 569 miles to the Bay of Bengal where it empties out. It is sacred to the Hindus who worship Ganga, the goddess of the river. In On the Ganges, George Black, who chronicled the creation of Yellowstone National Park in Empire of Shadows, takes readers on an extraordinary journey down the entire length of the Ganges in a book that is part E.M. Forster and part Bill Bryson. On the Ganges, originating from a New Yorker article published last year, is a look not only at the river, but at the people who live along it, receive its blessings and, unfortunately, pollute it on a daily basis. From the river's origin point near Hardwar, to Varanasi and on to Colkata and Bangladesh, Black chronicles the lives of people who cremate their dead at the river's edge, perform in the streets of towns along its shores, eke out a life funded by lower-than-average factory wages and-for some Brits-live as if The Raj was still in place. What Black finds is a land of contradictions, one that is both sacred and profane. At the conclusion of the book, trying to make sense of the rich and contradictory Ganges, he finds that there is no absolute conclusion. As a roadside vendor tells him 'There are good days and there are bad days. It all depends. Everything is in the hands of our mother, Ma Ganga. '
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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TRUST OUR FEEDBACK RATING. USED VERY GOOD (Almost in Like New condition.2. ) Construction of the book is excellent i.e. Tight spine. No loose pages. Clean pages. No writing, highlighting, marks or underlining on the pages. Some light page discoloration. Clean front cover with no tears, major creases or major marks (possibly some minor ones). Boards are hard, tight and square. Minor shelf ware along the edges and side of the book. Old sale sticker or sticker residue on the cover. Light rubbing on the cover. All books are mailed out in a bubble wrap mailer to protect your purchase. Orders are ALWAYS shipped same day or next day with FREE TRACKING emailed to you automatically. (WE TRY HARD TO DESCRIBE OUR BOOKS ACCURATELY SO YOU CAN BUY WITH CONFIDENCE)
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Good. This is a former library book with library stickers and stamps. 100% of this purchase will support literacy programs through a nonprofit organization!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
