Raincoast Books
Available: 09/06/06
6 x 9 · 368 pages
978-1-55192-905-7
CDN $24.95 · pb

Canadian Title

print

Empire of the Soul

Some Journeys in India

Paul William Roberts

Paul William Roberts taught Shakespeare in India, an experience that launched his love affair with the country. In Empire of the Soul he creates a remarkable portrait of India’s political, cultural and spiritual life. He reveals crumbling palaces where maharajas live as they did five centuries ago; ashrams, temples and caves where the holy men are as terrifying as they are tender; and a millionaire drug dealer’s secure fortress. Written with Roberts’ trademark verve and historical perspective, Empire of the Soul is funny, insightful and surreal.

“One of the most remarkable travel books ever written. It’s brilliant, funny, moving and often profound ... Empire of the Soul is the most living book about India I have ever read.” —Colin Wilson

“Reminiscent of Bruce Chatwin, this soul-searching literary travelogue turns a keen and uncompromising eye toward India.” —Publishers Weekly

Paul William Roberts’ (Toronto) acclaimed travelogues include Journey of the Magi and River in the Desert. A War Against Truth was a finalist for the 2004 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. Roberts writes for Harper’s, the New Yorker, the Atlantic Monthly, the Times Literary Supplement, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Jordan Times and the Globe and Mail.