UNDERCOVER IN INDIA

“Reading Hosch’s e-book was like watching a foreign movie, following along with each exotic scene. I loved the book’s action-filled chapters and its spirited message. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the crowded train stations, the streets of old Calcutta, the burning bodies on the banks of the Ganges River, the ever-present roaming cows, the fragrance of sandalwood incense, and the hypnotic chanting. The tales he told were absorbing and well-written.” GKH, Beta Reviewer

"Mr. Hosch's memoirs made me feel as if I was part of every scene, whether living the idealistic hippie life in San Francisco or alongside the colorful characters in the ashrams of India. It's the agenda-less storytelling of a trusted friend who never manipulates the reader or leaves anything uncomfortable out of his narrative to make himself look good.” RSF, Auteur, Social Media influencer.

A young seeker in 1970 abandons the hippie drug culture and takes up a serious yoga and meditation practice. He meets an Indian swami and tours the US as his loyal assistant. After the tour, the swami convinces him to sell his beloved VW bus and buy a plane ticket to India. On the way, he stops over in London, Cairo, South Yemen, and finally lands in sweltering Bombay, where he is surprised to see cows roaming on the runway.

After a forty-hour train ride across the subcontinent in 110-degree heat, he spends the next year studying meditation and yoga with a wizened guru, reputed to know the past, present, and future. But when the guru is suddenly arrested on politically motivated murder conspiracy charges, he pivots and enters an obscure monastery with no electricity or running water in the holy city of Varanasi. He later gets pickpocketed on an overcrowded bus in Calcutta, communes with wandering sadhus on the banks of the Ganges, and goes on a Himalayan adventure seeking a reclusive, one-armed “holy man”.

Mr. Hosch’s satirical memoir is much more than a typical guru/disciple tale. A unique blend of healthy cynicism, insight, and humor, this unfiltered account of his survival as an inexperienced American in pre-tech India perfectly captures the yoga and meditation craze of the 1970s. It's a must-read for serious yoga students and world travelers alike.

A painting depicting a group of cultural figures with a water well; a large man with a realistic face, wearing glasses, no shirt, and draped in a traditional cloth, stands in front holding a small pitcher, while others in the background are engaged in fetching water, some with traditional masks and attire.

A mural depicts a scene with a man with glasses and a beard on a boat holding a paddle, a dog with a thought bubble of a fish, and a temple in the background. Three women and a child are bathing in the river, with the child in a prayer pose. The man's thought bubble says 'OM'.

PRAISE FOR UNDERCOVER IN INDIA:

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

UNDERCOVER IN INDIA

PRAISE FOR UNDERCOVER IN INDIA:

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!

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.

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.

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

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!!

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.

Chapters very vivid and detailed. I felt like I was there. Readers will be taken on an exotic adventure with an interesting guy.

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.