My favorite books connecting past, present and future civilization

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been a dreamer since my childhood and chasing my dream is the goal of my life. Dreams do not have a visible purpose the destiny is hidden behind dreams. While following my dreams, I had started searching for my origin, because I felt connected to some unknown place. I travelled to various ancient sites of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Indus civilizations and explored that these civilizations were very disciplined and advanced. Still, we are not able to unfold so many mysteries. I see the future in the past and present is just a stem in between, this inspired me to write a book.


I wrote...

Many Visions, Many Worlds: Musings on the past and future of human civilization

By Shweta Mahendra,

Book cover of Many Visions, Many Worlds: Musings on the past and future of human civilization

What is my book about?

The book Many Visions Many Worlds is the author’s perception of seeing the world over a large-scale timeline. It revolves around ancient civilizations and mythological relationship with the current technology and opens a pathway to look back, learn from the past, and step into the technology era. Afterlife and parallel world’s connection is discussed, which is existing since ages in history and philosophy and now in science is also seeking the truth behind those. It sends a message that any technology-related development or revolution should not ignore the psychological, sociological, and environmental impact. There was one World, one Religion, and one God, when the human civilization started, the book has emphasized this concept of breaking all the barriers using technology. 

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Shweta Mahendra Why did I love this book?

When I read Sapiens, it inspired me to read more on migration of homo sapiens and how the human evolutions in different fields took place over thousands of years.

From hunter-gatherer to a social animal journey is covered in detail with respect to economical and political development over ages. The genetic mutation is very well explained apart from religion, myths, and Gods. It has inspired me to write my own book.

By Yuval Noah Harari,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked Sapiens as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

100,000 years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens. How did our species succeed in the battle for dominance? Why did our foraging ancestors come together to create cities and kingdoms? How did we come to believe in gods, nations and human rights; to trust money, books and laws; and to be enslaved by bureaucracy, timetables and consumerism? And what will our world be like in the millennia to come?

In Sapiens, Dr Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the…


Book cover of The Alchemist

Shweta Mahendra Why did I love this book?

This book is close to my heart because I am a dreamer and I too follow my heart.

It gives a message to be courageous if you want to achieve your goals or dreams. There are a few signals which universe gives us via dreams, and we should follow them. Egypt changes the life of people who go with a pure heart.

This book makes us stronger and teaches us to fight the fear within us. Life is a journey, and you cannot predict what will happen next, how much you plan, so be ready to face whatever comes and embrace it with your strong desire to reach your dream.

By Paulo Coelho,

Why should I read it?

25 authors picked The Alchemist as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book - a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is…


Book cover of Srimad Bhagavad Gita

Shweta Mahendra Why did I love this book?

This has original Sanskrit shlokas and is very well explained with the meaning of each word.

Bhagavada Gita is the base of philosophy of life. The relation of body and soul is beautifully presented. Krishna was a great philosopher, and this book teaches us how to live in this world with detachment when the time comes you must look everything as immortal.

The importance of karma without expecting the result is the key to happiness. No expectations, no regrets and sadness. Whatever happens, happens for good, this message makes life easier.

By Gita Press Gorakhpur,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Srimad Bhagavad Gita as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Sociological Theory

Shweta Mahendra Why did I love this book?

This book is a must read for everyone because it covers all major sociologist’s work and theories in a very simple and concise manner.

How sociology was born, and thinkers have presented their theory based on the social structure in their era. The cross references of different theories by different thinkers help in self-analysis. The classical and contemporary sociological theory is very well explained.

This is a good book to start with for understanding the history of sociology and how different thinkers made a change in the society in their time.

By George Ritzer, Jeffrey N. Stepnisky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sociological Theory as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Written by an author team that includes one of sociology's leading contemporary theorists, Sociological Theory gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought, from sociology's origins through the early 21st Century. Key theories are integrated with biographical sketches of theorists, and are placed in their historical and intellectual context.


Book cover of The Iliad & The Odyssey

Shweta Mahendra Why did I love this book?

This epic by Homer has a great impact on epic culture.

Writing such an epic in the 700-800 BC era is mind-blowing, War of Troy which we used to read in comic books and movies has so well narrated citing the bravery of Greek and Trojan Heroes in the Iliad.

Everyone should read about the heroes of Iliad epic King Agamemnon, warrior Achilles and Odyssey’s Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca and his return journey about the Trojan War. Greek mythology is always a great source of information about the ancient time wars and treaties.

By Homer, Samuel Butler (translator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Iliad & The Odyssey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Iliad and the OdysseyEpic Poem by Homer


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The Last Bird of Paradise

By Clifford Garstang,

Book cover of The Last Bird of Paradise

Clifford Garstang Author Of Oliver's Travels

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Fiction writer Globalist Lawyer Philosopher Seeker

Clifford's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Two women, a century apart, seek to rebuild their lives after leaving their homelands. Arriving in tropical Singapore, they find romance, but also find they haven’t left behind the dangers that caused them to flee.

Haunted by the specter of terrorism after 9/11, Aislinn Givens leaves her New York career and joins her husband in Southeast Asia when he takes a job there. She acquires several paintings by a colonial-era British artist that she believes are a warning.

The artist, Elizabeth Pennington, tells her own tumultuous story through diary entries that end when World War I reaches the colony with catastrophic results. In the present, Aislinn and her husband learn that terrorism takes many shapes when they are ensnared by local political upheaval and corruption.

The Last Bird of Paradise

By Clifford Garstang,

What is this book about?

"Aislinn Givens leaves a settled life in Manhattan for an unsettled life in Singapore. That painting radiates mystery and longing. So does Clifford Garstang's vivid and simmering novel, The Last Bird of Paradise." –John Dalton, author of Heaven Lake and The Inverted Forest

Two women, nearly a century apart, seek to rebuild their lives when they reluctantly leave their homelands. Arriving in Singapore, they find romance in a tropical paradise, but also find they haven't left behind the dangers that caused them to flee.

In the aftermath of 9/11 and haunted by the specter of terrorism, Aislinn Givens leaves her…


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