A collection of one hundred book reviews, from Sham Lals well-known literary column Life and Letters, A Hundred Encounters depicts a vivid picture of pertinent modern-day issues how social scientists diagnose the evils of modernity, the reasons behind the collapse communism, the falsity of a liberalism which permits despots to exploit the poor and the insuperable difficulties in making a moderately successful transition to a market economy. It discusses modern-day globalism and consumerism, as well as an emerging class of pariah states. A Hundred Encounters, also includes the works of over forty poets, playwrights and novelists whose own special perspective provides a thought-provoking analysis of the very nature of change in todays times and the growing danger to the principles of truth, justice and freedom.