Challenging conventional views, Bronkhorst (Sanskrit and Indian studies, U. of Lausanne, Switzerland) offers evidence that Greater Magadha, the eastern part of the Ganges Plain in northern India, displayed an independent and vital culture until close to the beginning of the Common Era, and was not simply a passive receptor of Brahmanism and Jainism. He combines new with previously published material to look at the cultural features of the region, Brahmanism in relation to rebirth and karmic retribution, and the chronology of texts and culture. Very very technical discussions are appended, but much of the main text might still be a struggle for readers without some background in the Sanskrit grammatical tradition. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)