UNDERCOVER IN INDIA
ANOTHER E BOOK MEMOIR BY PAUL HOSCH
A mysterious Indian monk convinces a twenty-two year old former hippie to sell his beloved VW van and go to India. The young man, away from home for the first time, flies across the world in an old propeller plane, stopping over in London, Cairo, and South Yemen; finally touching down in sweltering Bombay. He spends the next year studying meditation and yoga in an Indian ashram with an authentic guru who is reputed to know past, present, and future. His blissful sojourn ends when the guru is suddenly arrested on questionable conspiracy charges in 1971.
The youthful traveler then spends months in a remote monastery with no electricity or running water, hangs out with wandering sadhus in the holy city of Varanasi, and takes a boat ride across the Ganges River. Later, he gets pickpocketed on an overcrowded bus in Calcutta, and goes on a Himalayan adventure in Nepal, seeking a reclusive one-armed “holy man”. Eventually, he returns to the States with a whole new perspective fueled by his life-altering travels in India.
Mr. Hosch’s satirical memoir is much more than a typical disciple-seeks-guru quest. A unique blend of healthy cynicism, insight, and humor, this unfiltered account details his survival as an inexperienced American in pre-tech India, while at the same time, captures the yoga and meditation craze of the 1970s. A must read for serious yoga students and world travelers alike.
It's available as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters-Indigo Nook, and wherever e-books are sold. Find your favorite retailer and you will find his e book!
Available for FREE on HOOPLA: a Palm Beach County Library app
Includes original Illustrations by the author
Launched April 29 at #1 on Amazon in Biographies of Social Activists:
See reviews below.
Click to order on Amazon
PRAISE FOR UNDERCOVER IN INDIA:
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This is a humorous tongue-in-cheek diary of a budding spiritual aspirant on a quest to discover his higher purpose in life. It is not your typical disciple meets guru story, yet its unfiltered account delivers insights that any seeker on the path can relate to. A must-read for anyone interested in a light-hearted adventure in India perceived from a westerner’s eye!
Nutritionist, M.F. Age 65
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I dived into reading your chapters when I got your attachments. The reading was easy to follow and I was anxious to find out what would happen next. Initial thought is that interest will be greater to Baby Boomers who had some connection to Berkeley and the Bay Area...that covers a lot of people, however, so the potential for readers is there.
Professor, D.M. Age 75
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Loved it so far. A sensitive exploration of the author's past. Vibrant characters come alive in colorful, real experiences. I found myself thinking about some of the scenarios when I should have been sleeping! These "adventures" were prime examples of thinking outside of the box . WOW!
Neighbor, M.S. Age 80
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I’m so glad that you sent this to me to read. Your writing transported me right out of Miami and straight to Berkeley and Varanasi. You write so well, Paul - such an interesting mix of cynicism, hope, and humor. I look forward to reading more.
Psychologist, D.T. Age 75
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My initial reaction is that it is not possible that we share parents and grandparents and that we were raised in the same simple American household yet have taken totally divergent roads in life. The writing is great; it really starts to roll as you get going.
My sister, businesswoman, Age 71
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I love your writing, it is very funny and easy to read, and captures the feeling of Bay Area late sixties and India in the 70s very well, as far as I can understand. We will be wondering where the auto-biographical memories slip into pure fiction. My guess is that it is all based in facts, but that you have taken poetic license to make the stories funnier and more interesting. So far, it seems to be working very well.
Monk, A.D.A. Age 60
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This is great Paul! Love the intro too. It's moving at a quicker pace than other readings. So far. Thank you for letting me read. I look forward to continuing! -- k
Robotics expert and filmmaker, K.O. Age 63
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I love it, real, imagined, veiled memoir or dream state. This is a lively read, interesting, absorbing, very well written and enticing. Of course, I love your drawings as well; can’t wait to see the cover! You are inspiring me to get off my tush and get my now 3-5 books in progress done!!
Published author, S.L. Age 65
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I like the writing. The themes are familiar. The style is casual, like my own writing style. Fantastic: Actually I liked the scene on the beach and venturing into the astral plane, the woman who wasn’t there, it was very cool.
Medical doctor, P.P. Age 70
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Chapters very vivid and detailed. I felt like I was there. Readers will be taken on an exotic adventure with an interesting guy.
Banker, P.D. Age 70
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I have to say I LOVED your chapters. Such gorgeous imagery and unique inner dialogue. Hilarious throughout in some ways because of the Paul factor. Equivalent to the Indian sweets you describe. Overall, it's a really fun read, Paul! And I am sure others will enjoy it as much as I do.
Technical author and auteur, R.S. Age 50
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I feel I like I'm watching a movie, following you along scene by scene. it was an engaging read. As the chapters progressed, I feel more & more involved with your actions and thoughts. I thought the progression was very interesting and well written. I liked the descriptions of the scenes; what you saw, smelled & sensed: the river, cows, incense, chanting, etc. SD, Designer
Interior designer, J.C. Age 50
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This is a humorous tongue-in-cheek diary of a budding spiritual aspirant on a quest to discover his higher purpose in life. It is not your typical disciple meets guru story, yet its unfiltered account delivers insights that any seeker on the path can relate to. A must-read for anyone interested in a light-hearted adventure in India perceived from a westerner’s eye!
Nutritionist, M.F. Age 65
-
I dived into reading your chapters when I got your attachments. The reading was easy to follow and I was anxious to find out what would happen next. Initial thought is that interest will be greater to Baby Boomers who had some connection to Berkeley and the Bay Area...that covers a lot of people, however, so the potential for readers is there.
Professor, D.M. Age 75
-
Loved it so far. A sensitive exploration of the author's past. Vibrant characters come alive in colorful, real experiences. I found myself thinking about some of the scenarios when I should have been sleeping! These "adventures" were prime examples of thinking outside of the box . WOW!
Neighbor, M.S. Age 80
-
I’m so glad that you sent this to me to read. Your writing transported me right out of Miami and straight to Berkeley and Varanasi. You write so well, Paul - such an interesting mix of cynicism, hope, and humor. I look forward to reading more.
Psychologist, D.T. Age 75
-
My initial reaction is that it is not possible that we share parents and grandparents and that we were raised in the same simple American household yet have taken totally divergent roads in life. The writing is great; it really starts to roll as you get going.
My sister, businesswoman, Age 71
-
I love your writing, it is very funny and easy to read, and captures the feeling of Bay Area late sixties and India in the 70s very well, as far as I can understand. We will be wondering where the auto-biographical memories slip into pure fiction. My guess is that it is all based in facts, but that you have taken poetic license to make the stories funnier and more interesting. So far, it seems to be working very well.
Monk, A.D.A. Age 60
-
This is great Paul! Love the intro too. It's moving at a quicker pace than other readings. So far. Thank you for letting me read. I look forward to continuing! -- k
Robotics expert and filmmaker, K.O. Age 63
-
I love it, real, imagined, veiled memoir or dream state. This is a lively read, interesting, absorbing, very well written and enticing. Of course, I love your drawings as well; can’t wait to see the cover! You are inspiring me to get off my tush and get my now 3-5 books in progress done!!
Published author, S.L. Age 65
-
I like the writing. The themes are familiar. The style is casual, like my own writing style. Fantastic: Actually I liked the scene on the beach and venturing into the astral plane, the woman who wasn’t there, it was very cool.
Medical doctor, P.P. Age 70
-
Chapters very vivid and detailed. I felt like I was there. Readers will be taken on an exotic adventure with an interesting guy.
Banker, P.D. Age 70
-
I have to say I LOVED your chapters. Such gorgeous imagery and unique inner dialogue. Hilarious throughout in some ways because of the Paul factor. Equivalent to the Indian sweets you describe. Overall, it's a really fun read, Paul! And I am sure others will enjoy it as much as I do.
Technical author and auteur, R.S. Age 50
-
I feel I like I'm watching a movie, following you along scene by scene. it was an engaging read. As the chapters progressed, I feel more & more involved with your actions and thoughts. I thought the progression was very interesting and well written. I liked the descriptions of the scenes; what you saw, smelled & sensed: the river, cows, incense, chanting, etc. SD, Designer
Interior designer, J.C. Age 50