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PRESS LokVani, Public Voice of New England, Aug. 6, 2008 Houston Chronicle - Nov. 5, 2007 IndoAmerican News - Oct, 26, 2007 IndoAmerican News - Front Page Houston Business Journal (Hardcopy) Houston Business Journal (Digital) Houston Chronicle - Shelby Hodge Sunday Mid-Day (Bombay/Mumbai) READERS' COMMENTS "Excellent work, I bought it as a business book hoping to learn more about the people I work with, but I gained so much more. I compare this quite favorably to the novelized business book, The Goal. That book used narrative as an effective means of communicating Goldratt's management ideas, but IICC accomplished that and more because the characterization was so vivid. Mr. Anand communicated his management ideas but also managed to say something about life. The Goal is merely a business book, this is a true novel that has business as a theme. We also learn about Indian culture, life, family and courage. I'm going to recommend it to some of my b-school professors as a course reading." T Hicks on Amazon.com "It
was a very good and easy read. It had many interesting details,
which I...could relate to - the chapter on job hunt for me was very
relevant, as I went through a somewhat similar situation when I
got laid off from one of the investment banks in New York in 2001. RS
JS To
the many Indian engineers who came to the United States as graduate
students and then stayed on to work, this book is practically autobiographical.
Pradeep Anand describes scenes that make you ask: How did he know
that about me? Reading through the book is like reliving your early
years. S. Maneckshaw on Amazon.com "An
Indian in Cowboy Country is a great read. Pradeep Anand is
a good storyteller. There were many moments in the book when I felt
it was my story and those of so many of my friends who came to America
with great dreams and also many question marks. The book ends on
a very uplifting note which captures the essence of the promise
of America: that it can truly be home to people from far away places."
Excerpts from An Indian in Cowboy Country "Salman Rushdie sold me four books, but did not make me read even one of them. You held my interest on every line of every page. Congratulations, you are a genuine writer." SB "An Indian in Cowboy Country was a delightful, poignant and loudly resonant read for me. You could just as truthfully have replaced the name Satish with my name." AR "Even though I have pretty much stopped reading books these days (the internet grabs all my spare time!), I must say that I found An Indian in Cowboy Country very interesting. I read it in pretty much in one sitting. You have rekindled my interest in reading books!" AB "You certainly have a wonderful way with words and your talent is apparent when reading An Indian in Cowboy Country. It has certainly gripped me ... my heartiest congratulations on a beautifully written novel" RMV "I was amazed at your book. I knew I would like it (expected ties to IIT, etc) and the first chapter or two played out that way, but then it turned into a really riveting book. I was up till 2 AM reading it. I could not put it down. My only regret is that I was so interested in the story that I skimmed through a few places and didn't pay enough attention to the language. I also found a lot of the underlying messages of values very moving. I have to re-read it." AK "An
Indian in Cowboy Country was very entertaining and had a good
heart. It certainly opened my ideas to the level of integrity that
the Indian community aspires to." "I read An Indian in Cowboy Country and thoroughly enjoyed it. You have a nice easy style and the story flows well and makes for pleasurable reading. I could relate at the cultural level obviously but professionally too." BG "I loved your book...your preliminary chapters were fantastic! I loved the later chapters as well-the last chapter was pure magic! The early ones however are rare! We need another story on Satish Sharma;s exploits with his new company & larger family." RV
Excerpts from An Indian in Cowboy Country
Excerpts from An Indian in Cowboy Country |
READERS' COMMENTS "An Indian in Cowboy Country is a must read. Pradeep has done an amazing job, with great simplicity, in chronicling an Asian Indian’s journey in an alien society, simultaneously maintaining one’s cultural moorings and moral center." Nandan Nilekani, Co-Chairman, Infosys Technologies Limited “Pradeep Anand has put together a collection of highly enjoyable stories about the many challenges of being a brown-skinned techie in Texas. Immigrants everywhere will relate to this perceptive and relevant book.” Chitra Divakaruni, award-winning author and poet “Pradeep Anand has given voice, in a very sincere, real way, to the phenomenon of ... Indians assimilating into the fabric of American life. He seems to effortlessly capture the essence of their struggle to fit in while retaining and celebrating very different roots. This journey is comical, poignant, and -- until now -- little known outside the world of those experiencing it. A good read, whether you grew up in India, the U.S., or anywhere else!” Michael Berry, Former Mayor Pro Tem, Houston, Texas “Businesses, business schools, and cultural studies departments at schools and colleges will benefit immensely from this book. Pradeep Anand weaves, with fascinating simplicity, warm and authentic stories about Asian Indian immigrants and their experiences in America.” Amar Bhidé, Lawrence D. Glaubinger Professor of Business, Columbia University Graduate School of Business “There is a sense of genuineness about the book. I had a strong conviction about the author's enthusiasm for the worth of attributes such as integrity, cultural diversity, honesty, diligence, and a sense of humor and humility, to temper it all.” Jonathan K. Hustis, EVP-Legal, MetaSolv, Inc. “An Indian in Cowboy Country is a riveting narration of an observant youth’s journey into the real world, of being transplanted from one socio-cultural milieu to an alien and often hostile environment. It is a story of reconciling one’s values with the “winner takes all” approach of the fiercely competitive Corporate America. The book would appeal to the millions of expatriates from Asia, who have made a new home in the West, and also to anyone who wants to understand the psyche of Asian immigrants. A very readable account of the life of a successful Indian – flourishing in the welcoming arms of the “promised land”, successfully marketing his knowledge and skills and constantly struggling to bridge the cultural divide from his moorings in sober and restrained Indian middle class to noisy and boisterous Texan country! And the message woven so well in the tapestry of the narration is that one must have a set of personal values – and one must abide by them without any compromise. This adherence to convictions is the source of the greatest satisfaction.” Skand R. Tayal, Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan; Former Consul General of India, Houston, Texas
Excerpts from An Indian in Cowboy Country “Pradeep
Anand has put together a well written collection of short stories
that effectively capture the experiences of the average Indian engineer
who has to survive the rigors of an extremely competitive education
system (IIT) and then has to try to "make it" in a foreign
land. The experiences of his protagonist Satish Sharma is one that
any immigrant who comes to this country will be able to identify
with.
"A
candid experience of an Indian immigrant engineer in the Texas oil
patch with its cultural and racial interaction. An eye opener to
the realities of corporate racism and cronyism coupled with the
determination of an immigrant to overcome cultural bigotry and assimilate
in this great country of opportunity." "I read the book in one sitting. Good book, nice piece of work. Hat's off to you!! The book resonated particularly with me because I could strongly identify with the protagonist. I think you have portrayed the oil industry realistically and with insight, including its (until recently) pervasive political incorrectness. The uplifting aspect of the story was refreshing. I believe Roberta Flack is very apropos here: Telling my whole life with his word. Killing me softly with his song. I believe (that) any one who has lived the 80s- 90s in Houston or had an association with the oil industry will find it a gripping narration. For the others, it is a well written story portraying the tribulations and laurels of a recent Desi émigré, well worth an afternoon's read.” MR I recommend this book to all; it has more appeal to immigrants because they can relate themselves to some extent with some content of the book. From my perspective, the best chapters are “The Interview” and “Labor Day”. This is where ink flows smoothly and the author’s writing skill grips a reader. “The Interview” shows how executives play corporate games, how people handle situations and set their priorities that reflect their characteristics, how ethics and moral values guide them in crisis situations. Philosophical dialogs between Satish, Tim, Charlie and Billy are very thought provoking as well as enjoyable. It is a mirror of human behaviors. The ugly head of discrimination rises everywhere ... in one form or another but there are also many people who are ready to stand against it. Basically it is implied that there are few anti-social very conservative elements but the society as a whole is more people oriented and cares for others. It seems like Gandhigiri pays off and it is a force more powerful. But from where this inspiration comes? I guess that comes from upbringing (surrounding of family and friends), reading of moral giving books and self-motivation. Seeking Seeta in “Pilgrimage” brings out that inner consciousness and this makes Satish do critical self-analysis. The chapters - “The Touch”, “Going Home”, “Bride Hunting in Bombay - show sensitivity of people, coziness being in a family, interpersonal skills. Lata, Krishna and Mona bring more fun in otherwise typical family conversations. “Two Lines” shows how personal touch, sympathy, caring and sharing can make a difference in someone’s life. Humility soothes pain. The interesting part of “The Hunt” is Satish is very calm, composed and non-complainer. Rather than being anguished about who stole my cheese, he knows what to do next logically. Eventually hard work, systematic approach and consultation with friends pays off. If someone asks a question “Does it help being a person with a steady mind (Sthitpragna in the Bhagavad Geeta)?”, these chapters have the answer. “Labor Day” is a very emotional and touching chapter; especially, when Dan proposes to Miriam. This is the beauty of a melting pot where tolerance becomes a built-in ingredient of everyday life. Assimilation leads towards peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding. Contribution of all, like threads, weaves a fabric. India absorbed many civilizations and consequently acceptance of many factors became a norm of life. It is no wonder why children of world’s oldest melting pot, India, assimilate very smoothly in the world’s latest melting pot (USA). The book starts with “Rites of Passage” where 11 teenagers of different religions, cultures and regions are bonded together by a ring of friendship and make their childhood a lifelong memorable experience. The book also ends with almost the same theme where 10 grown-up strangers of different nationalities, cultures, religions and colors form a band of brothers and make this world a family. Pradeep, I think maybe this is your first book but it is superb. I am sure that in next book your canvas will be much bigger with lots of colors and characters. I think I am beginning to like that buddhu who is a pukka Mumbaikar and also happens to be a very good sutradhar (main narrator). Laage Raho Satishbhai !!!" DB
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EVENTS Ongoing Book Clubs (To contact Pradeep Anand, please write to iicc {at} pradeepanand.com) October 14, 2008: Aker Kvaerner, Houston, Texas July 19, 2008: IIT Bombay Golden Jubilee Conference 2008, Marriott Marquis, Times Square, New York, NY. Signing books Credit Suisse's suite. June 27, 2008: Open Forum Comedy Night, Sugar Land, Texas June 18, 2008: IACCGH, Westin Oaks, Houston, Texas June 10, 2008: Praxair, Kemah, Texas June 3, 2008: Locke Lord, Houston, Texas May 24, 2008: Clear Lake City, Texas May 22, 2008: KBR, Houston, Texas May 8, 2008: Schlumberger, Houston, Texas April 11, 2008 7:45 PM: Jones Graduate School of Management, McNair Hall, Rice University, Houston, Texas February 4 thru 8, 2008, 8:30 AM: ABC/Channel13/KTRK Houston interview on Comcast Channel 314 in the the Greater Houston Area February 3, 2008, 11:30 AM: Interview on ABC/Channel 13/KTRK Houston - Visions program October 11, 2007, 7 PM: Book reading & Signing at Brazos Bookstore. 2421 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005; Tel: 713-523-0701 April 28, 2007, 2 PM to 4 PM: Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Woodlands Mall, 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr. #3008, The Woodlands, Texas April 24, 2007, 6:30 PM, Ticknor Lounge, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (Click here for my prep notes!) 4/22/07 2 PM to 5 PM: Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, First Colony Mall, Sugar Land, Texas February 24, 2007, 2 PM to 4 PM: Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, Westheimer/Voss, 7626 Westheimer, Houston, Texas February 18, 2007, Fort Bend Literary Council -Book and Author Dinner December 17, 2006, 6 PM to 8 PM: Book Signing at Barnes & Noble, First Colony Mall, Sugar Land, Texas December 16, 2006, 2 PM to 4 PM: Book Signing at Barnes & Noble across the Galleria; 5000 Westheimer, Houston, Texas December 2, 2006: Book Release, Stafford Civic Center, Stafford, Texas
David Preng, President of Preng & Associates, the premier executive search firm in the global energy industry, sends An Indian in Cowboy Country to his clients, with this cover letter: Dear XXXX:
You'll enjoy this book! It's an easy read filled with messages we never outgrow. Stories in the book illustrate why we cannot sacrifice our personal values to succeed in business or in life and how we must develop trusting relationships as the foundation of any success, regardless of our cultural background and experiences. During my many years assisting corporations and boards with executive searches, I've experienced these lessons firsthand and witnessed how important they are to hundreds of executives who have achieved goals far beyond their dreams. This book will make you think...and laugh. I gave copies to my sons as a "must read" and I'm delighted to share the book with you. Happy reading!
ABOUT THE BOOK An Indian engineer discovers his personal and professional potential in the heart of Texas The book is about an Indian engineer’s sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant struggle to fit and assimilate into the fabric of American life, "while retaining and celebrating very different roots." This book tells a unique immigrant’s story that focuses on a somewhat typical Indian immigrant experience that is not often explored in literature. The protagonist is an IIT engineer from the educated middle-class in India, typical of Asian Indian immigrants in Houston and the U.S. Every year, thousands of immigrants from educated, middle-class Indian families, steeped in India’s various cultures, customs, traditions, and religions come to the United States. Satish Sharma, an engineering graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is one such immigrant who comes to America (in the late 1970s) seeking a better life. From Bombay, India, where he was born and raised, to Houston, Texas, where he is called “an Indian in cowboy country,” Sharma feels out of place. He faces professional, personal, and romantic challenges on both shores, but he eventually flourishes in the United States—the land of universal inclusion, where almost everyone’s heritage originated in another part of the world. Cumulatively,
Sharma’s life experiences in India and in America expose the
traditions, values, and ideals of middle-class Indian immigrants
in the United States as they straddle, balance, and assimilate into
multiple cultures, and add to the rich weave of the country’s
human tapestry. ABOUT PRADEEP ANAND Pradeep Anand was born in Bombay, India. He lived the first half of his life in that city before migrating to Houston, Texas, U.S.A. Pradeep has lived the second half of his life in Houston, Texas, where he experienced the city's evolution from a small town to a global metropolis that gradually embraced ethnic multiplicity. For over twenty-five years, he has lived and worked with Texans, both native and adopted sons and daughters of Texas . Moreover, he has worked for most of those years within the bulls-eye of cowboy culture in Texas, the oilfield service industry. He is President of Seeta Resources (www.seeta.com). He lives with his family and their dog, Cookie, in a Houston suburb. To contact Pradeep Anand, please write to: iicc[at]pradeepanand.com. To
be redirected to www.seeta.com READERS' COMMENTS "I purchased your book to read on a long flight. Prior to my travel day, I read a few pages to get the gist of the book, and I could not stop reading the entire book. I saw a lot of similarities in your character and myself. I saw his ultimate triumph." AM Thara
Narasimhan on Amazon.com
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