First wave: The book -- The light of Asia -- The Swami comes west -- Lady Emily's dilemma -- The Bhikku and the beast -- Hyman, the bootmaker's son -- Meher Baba comes to the West -- Ramana Maharshi -- Mercedes and Somerset -- The life and death of Paul Brunton -- Second wave: The sacrament -- 'We are all Hindus in our essence' -- Allen Ginsburg's vision -- "Love Is All You Need": The Maharishi and the Beatles -- Rajneesh: The last guru -- Down on the ranch

"The Victorians had conflicted views on the religious beliefs and practices of the Indian sub-continent, blending fascination and suspicion. But within two generations, legions of young Westerners would be following the 'hippie trail' to India, and the Beatles would be meditating at the feet of the guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Journalist Mick Brown's vivid account charts the eccentric history of the West's evolving love affair with Indian religion through a curious cast of scholars, seekers, charlatans and saints." --