The Adventures Of Stoob- Testing Times

Title: The Adventures Of Stoob- Testing Times

Author: Samit Basu

Main Characters: Stoob, his friends, and a villainous crow

“The Adventures Of Stoob- Testing Times” is a very nice book. It is funny, and makes the reader laugh throughout. Starting from the name Stoob, everything is downright funny. Well, the name is actually a shortened form of Subroto Bandhopadhyay! And then why is it Stoob? Here is an excerpt from the book where the protagonist(Stoob) gives the reason for calling himself Stoob:

Subroto Bandhopadhyay. It’s a nice name. If it’s 1914. If you’re dressed in a white dhoti-kurta and part of Indian Freedom Struggle. If you’re fifty years old and have three children in college and you’re running an arty theatre group. But I’m none of those things. How am I going to feature in strike partnerships with an about-to-retire Messi if my name doesn’t fit on the Barcelona team shirt? How am I going to have my own rock band, or invent something that lets us live in space, or direct my own action movies if my name is Subroto Bandhopadhyay?

And here is my favourite drawing from the book: 

Now- coming over to the story:

Stoob is relieved that the exams are over. He is overjoyed. But the announcement comes- all the earlier test marks do not count. Stoob needs to pass a big final examination to complete middle-school. Stoob borrows notes from his friend Ishani, and also takes help from Rehan, to study for the upcoming exams. But he is also tempted to partner with Prithvi, who is planning to cheat by copying. Ishani and Rehan save him from committing such a mistake. They also try to make Prithvi let go of such an idea. But they fail to do so. So the threesome plan, and make Prithvi’s numerous attempts to copy go in vain. They make him angry, and finally they all pass out decently. Ishani ends up being class first, and Rehan second. Stoob does well, and Prithvi realizes his mistake. They all pass out of middle-school happily.

You are wondering where the villainous crow comes, right? Read the book to find out.

I enjoyed reading the book very much.

Contagion

Title: Contagion

Author: Robin Cook

Main Characters: Jack Stapleton, Laurie Montgomery, Terese Hagen, Calvin Washington(deputy chief), Colleen Anderson, Chet, Dr. Zimmerman, Dr. Martin Cheveau, Warren, Slam,Spit, Lou Soldano, Bingham, Richard Overstreet and Beth Holderness

JACK STAPLETON is a very interesting character, and I naturally like him the most. From John, he becomes Jack. From an overweight conservative with old tastes, he becomes a ‘pickup basketball nut’ as he describes himself. He lives in the 106th street, in Harlem, along with NY gangsters. A conversation, about where he lives, goes this way:

“Come on,” Chet said. “Where do you live?” 

“I live on the Upper West Side,” Jack said. “It’s no secret.”

“In the seventies?” Chet asked.

“A bit higher,” Jack said.

“Eighties?”

“Higher.”

“You are not going to tell me it’s higher than nineties, are you?” Chet asked.

“A tad,” Jack said. “I live on a Hundred and Sixth street.”

“Good grief!” Chet exclaimed. “You are living in Harlem.”

“What’s in a name?” Jack shrugged.

“Why in the world live in Harlem?” Chet asked. “Of all the neat places to live in and around the city, why live there? It can’t be a nice neighbourhood. Besides, it must be dangerous!”

Not only does Jack live in such a place, he is also friends with the gangsters by playing Basketball along with them. Apart from this, Jack is a professional doctor, and very committed to his work. He  is a truly hard worker, and is very smart. Finally, Jack Stapleton ends up being a perfect “Detective Doc”.

Jack Stapleton gets seriously bored with the mundane cases in the pit, autopsy room, until his colleague cum friend, Laurie Montgomery, allots him the case of a man, named Nodelman, whose diagnosis is an unknown infectious disease. The case appeals to Jack Stapleton, and he becomes very interested it it. Finally, in front of Calvin Washington, the deputy chief, Dr. Stapleton predicts the disease that killed Nodelman as plague. It remains a statement to joke and laugh at, until Agnes tests a lung sample and really finds it to be plague. They alert the City Board of Health. Since Nodelman had been a patient in Manhattan General, Jack straight goes to the Manhattan General hospital to inform them. Due to his sarcasm, he gets thrown out of the hospital by the heads. He leaves it to hell.

But, this just doesn't stop with that. Everyday, more interesting cases come to him, all originating from the Manhattan General. And Jack makes astounding diagnoses of serious diseases such as influenza, tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever(rickettsia).  This time, he tries to visit the hospital without getting noticed by his enemies there. He manages to make some friends over there, but is not able to find anything fruitful. And- he also gets caught while stealthily trying to talk in the microbiology lab. But, Bigham, his employer  doesn’t fire him. He is still employed.

And what more! The people in Manhattan General do not like his theory of all these diseases being spread intentionally by a doctor(Or is it just one person who has hired them to beat up Jack?), and they decide to hire a few men from the Black Kings, a gang from Harlem, to do away with Jack. But Jack has his own friendly gang to protect him. It becomes a gang war, really. By this time, Laurie, his friend, gets all worried about him, and calls her Detective friend, Lou Soldano, to protect Jack.

Then it reaches the climax. Jack’s suspicion about a doctor spreading these diseases is confirmed. He just needs to find who he/she is. And he gets into a lot of trouble. He gets captured by the disease-spreading villains, and is then saved later by the gangsters.

This book- Contagion- is really very thrilling. This is my first book by Robin Cook featuring Jack Stapleton. I enjoyed it very much.

FIFA 2014 Know Your Team eBook #BrasilWorldCup #Copadamundo

I have put together an eBook as a handbook for quick reference on all the participating teams of FIFA 2014 #BrasilWorldCup. A quick glance at the teams will equip you with the knowledge of who-is-who and will help you enjoy the matches better. #copadamundo #copamundo

Please fill this form, and check your email to download the eBook.
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Thank you!

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- Portugal

Know Your Team- Portugal

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: Europe

Language: Portuguese

Population: 10, 487, 289

Portugal's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1996 World Cup, Portugal got the third place.

2014 FIFA Group

Portugal belongs to Group G along with Germany, USA and Ghana.

Portugal Team 2014

Coach: Paulo Bento

Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo

Goalkeeper: Eduardo Carvalho

Star: Cristiano Ronaldo

Preferred Formation: 4-3-3

Quote:

“It’s going to be a balanced group with four strong teams so it’s going to be very difficult for us, but we will fight to the end to achieve our first goal, which is to reach the knock-out phase.” -Paulo Bento

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/team/portugal-2014-profile/

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- Germany

Know Your Team- Germany

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: Europe

Language: German

Population: 80, 716, 000

Germany's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1954, 1974 and 1990 World Cup, Germany was the winner.

2014 FIFA Group

Germany belongs to Group G along with Portugal, USA and Ghana.

Germany Team 2014

Coach: Joachim Low

Captain: Philipp Lahm

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Star: Thomas Muller

Preferred Formation: 4-2-3-1

Quote:

“We have a harmonious blend of young talented players and those with a lot of experience. Our squad is balanced as each position is covered with two players.” -Joachim Low

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/team/germany-2014-profile/

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- Argentina

Know Your Team- Argentina

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: South America

Language: Spanish

Population: 41, 660, 417

Argentina's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1978 and 1986 World Cup, Argentina was the winner.

2014 FIFA Group

Argentina belongs to Group F along with Bosnia- Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria.

Argentina Team 2014

Coach: Alejandro Sabella

Captain: Lionel Messi

Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero

Star: Lionel Messi

Preferred Formation: 4-3-3

Quote:

“Let’s hope we also have Messi, but we have other tactical options. With Messi it’s one thing and without him it’s another.” -Alejandro Sabella

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/team/argentina-2014-profile/

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- France

Know Your Team- France

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: Europe

Language: French

Population: 66, 616, 416

France's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1934, 1998 World Cup, France was the winner.

2014 FIFA Group

Italy belongs to Group E along with Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras.

France Team 2014

Coach: Didier Deschamps

Captain: Hugo Lloris

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris

Star: Karim Benzema

Preferred Formation: 4-3-3

Quote:

“With Franck Ribery at 100 per cent, we can’t be better. But we have to be ambitious and we will continue to be.” -Didier Deschamps

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/team/france-2014-profile/

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- Italy

Know Your Team- Italy

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: Europe

Language: Italian

Population: 59, 943, 933

Italy's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1934, 11938, 1982 and 2006 World Cup, Italy was the winner.

2014 FIFA Group

Italy belongs to Group D along with Uruguay, England and Costa Rica.

Italy Team 2014

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Captain: Gianluigi Buffon

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon

Star: Andrea Pirlo

Preferred Formation: 4-3-2-1

Quote:

“I am not leaving for Brazil with any doubts. Actually we’re going there conscious we can have a great World Cup.” -Cesare Prandelli

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/team/italy-2014/

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- England

Know Your Team- England

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: Europe

Language: English

Population: 53, 012, 456

England's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1966 World Cup, England was the winner.

2014 FIFA Group

England belongs to Group D along with Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica.

England Team 2014

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Captain: Steven Gerrard

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

Star: Wayne Rooney, Sturridge

Preferred Formation: 4-2-3-1

Quote:

“I think the balance is quite good. They(the younger players) have imposed themselves and their ability in my thinking.” -Roy Hodgson

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/team/england-2014/

FIFA 2014- KYT Series- Uruguay

Know Your Team- Uruguay

FIFA World Cup 2014

Location: South America

Language: Spanish

Population: 3, 324, 460

Uruguay's best performance so far in the World Cups

In 1930 and 1950 World Cup, Uruguay was the winner.

2014 FIFA Group

Uruguay belongs to Group B along with England, Italy and Costa Rica.

Uruguay Team 2014

Coach: Oscar Tabarez

Captain: Diego Lugano

Goalkeeper: Fernando Muslera

Star: Luis Suarez

Preferred Formation: 4-4-2

Quote:

“I took the news(Suarez’s surgery) the same way everyone took it, like a bucket of cold water. But he is very upbeat and it makes me serene.” -Diego Godin

Sources:

The Hindu

http://www.worldcupinfo.info/category/team/uruguay/