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Title: The Taj Mahal

Subtitle: The History of India's Most Famous Monument

Author: Jesse Harasta, Charles River Editors

Narrator: Karey James Kimmel

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-06-15

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: History, World

Publisher's Summary:

Taj Mahal is Arabic for "crown of palaces", and the name could not be more fitting for one of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the world. Constructed over a span of about 20 years in the mid-17th century as a mausoleum for the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal is aptly described by UNESCO, which designated it a World Heritage site, as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Indeed, the Taj Mahal is truly a global icon because it masterfully fused the artistic and architectural elements of several cultures, including Indian, Ottoman, Persian, and Islamic cultures across the region.

While the marble dome is the first feature that pops out about the Taj Mahal, the careful layout of the entire structure is also incredibly impressive, and it took thousands of laborers several years to work on the other features, from the gardens to the calligraphy inscribed on the exterior. The Taj Mahal also includes other buildings, including a mosque and other tombs and mausoleums for people close to the emperor.

Not surprisingly, given the scope and quality of the work, the Taj Mahal has fascinated people around the world for centuries, and naturally, all sorts of myths about it have sprung up. For the most part, however, people are simply drawn to it today as one of the premiere tourist sites in the world, and millions of people come from around the world to visit it every year.

Members Reviews:

Great facts succinctly put

As an Indian and a student of Medieval and Modern History, I would highly recommend this book to all lovers of art and architecture in Indian History. This book also offers some great insight into the social and political canvas of the times when the Taj was built and later.

Short and sweet

Short

learned alot

more of an architect's view point made it more interesting and debunked or cast doubt upon some of the more romantic notions about the building of this building

a perfect introduction to the Taj Mahal

This book is a delightful visit to the Taj Mahal, with excellent background information as well. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the history, art, and culture of India.

Interesting book

Initially, I thought that this book would be a reminder of college days, reading something dry and difficult to keep up with! I'm going to India and wanted to read about the Taj Mahal to get familiar with what I'd see.

However, I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting the book was laid out. I particularly enjoyed the variety of subject matter within the book itself, ranging from how India and the rest of the world view it, the history, the architecture and the modern day aspects of it.