Goa has provided rich historical and contemporary material to authors from the state, the rest of the country and from across the world. If you’re looking to update your knowledge on everything Goa, here’s a reading list of books you can pick up or order online.

A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of Goa
By P Killips
Pp.70 (1998)
Rs.195 or $9
A handy, glossy book cataloguing the exotic species of Goa’s fascinating wildlife. Every known bird, butterfly, animal, reptile, plant and flower photographed.

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A Road Guide To Goa
By P. Poovendran (Ed.)
Pp.16 (1996)
Rs.40 or $3
A road guide with a map.

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A Treasure Trove of Goan Mango Dishes
By Nilima M Kamat
(2000) Pp 125
Rs.80 or $5
Whether you are a diehard fan of mangoes, or one who is yet to discover the delights of this delectable fruit, this book is for you! A treasure trove of divers Goan mango dishes, which enhance the flavours of this luscious fruit.

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An Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the City of Goa
By Jose Nicolau da Fonseca
Pp. 350 (1994) HB
Rs.595 or $25
A most comprehensive history of Goa in a format associated with gazetteers. Also carries important statistical information including charts about population, marriages, births and deaths in the year 1877 when it was first written. Reprint.

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An Historical Sketch of Goa
By Denis L. Cottineau de Kloguen
Pp. 120 (1988) HB
Rs.165 or $8
Rare book, reprinted. Originally published in the early 19th century.

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An Illustrated Guide To Bombay And Goa
By Myriam Kaye
Pp.198 (1990)
Rs.100 or $5
Kaye ventures beyond the sunny beaches to explore Goa’s natural grandeur, stately homes, ethnic cuisine and Latin fiestas. The merry tour also negotiates through Bombay’s high rises and into the teeming bazaars, forgotten villages and ancient temples.

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Angela’s Goan Identity
By Carmo D’Souza
Pp. 148 (1994)
Rs.35 or $3
A novel set in Goa. Deals with the “clash of cultures” and the Goan response to meeting with other people back home.

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Aquaworld: The Environment and Ecosystems of Coastal Goa
By Therese Almeida
Pp.267 (1998) LF
Rs.270 or $12
A Resource Book and Activity Guide for Teachers. Excellent for environment education classes in schools.

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Areawide Environmental Quality Management (AEQM) Plan For The Mining Belt of Goa State
By Tata Energy Research Institute
Pp.300 (1998) HB
Rs.1100 or $35
The first full length study of the impact of mining on the Goan environment, by a team headed by Ligia Noronha of TERI.

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Baroque Goa
By Jose Pereira
Pp. 177 (1995) HB
Rs.850 or $30
Photographs, illustrations and history of Baroque architecture and the various edificial types in Goa.

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Bibliography of Goa and the Portuguese in India
By Henry Scholberg
Pp.414 (1982) HB
Rs.500 or $21
Literature listed here covers the nearly five centuries of Portuguese rule in India including its meteoric rise, its sustained presence, and its sudden and final decline leading to its evacuation in 1961.

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Cabinet Government In Goa: 1961-93
By Aureliano Fernandes
Pp. 194 (1997)
Rs.250 or $11
A new, chronological analysis of 30 years of government and politics in Goa in the post-Liberation period.

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Classic India: Goa
By Amrita Kumar (Ed.)
Pp.57 (1997) HB
Rs.95 or $5
A book on Goa generously illustrated with colour pictures.

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Demographic Transition In Goa
By V.A. Pai Panandiker & P.N. Chaudhuri
Pp. 46 (1983) HB
Rs.75 or $4
By 1971 Goa had already achieved a birth rate of 21 per thousand compared to the national average of 35 per thousand. What were the factors responsible for such low fertility? Any lessons?

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Draft Report Of The Subcommittee On Offshore Banking In Goa
By Planning Board of Goa
Pp.25 (1997)
Rs.25 or $2
A report related to one aspect of the proposed Free Port of Goa.

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Economics of the Goa Jesuits
By Charles J. Borges
Pp.215 (1994)
Rs.300 or $13
Seeks to trace the growth and collapse of the Jesuits during their stay in India.

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Exploring Goa
By Centre for Environmental Education
(2001) / Pp 88
Rs.65 or $4
A Teachers’ Handbook of Environmental Education activities for trial and discussion. Developed in the course of interaction with teachers and environmental activists in Goa.

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Ferry Crossing: Short Stories From Goa
By Manohar Shetty (Ed.)
Pp.268 (1998)
Rs.250 or $11
An anthology of 27 Goan short stories from Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese and English penned by wellknown writers, mirroring Goa’s rich history and ethnic traditions.

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Flora of Goa, Diu, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
By Rolla Seshagiri Rao
2 Vols. Pp.545 Total (1985)
Rs.250 or $11
An exploration-with a historical dimension-of plant life in the country region of Goa, Diu, Daman, etc. Includes maps, photographs and locations.”

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Goa
By John Oliver(Ed.)
Pp. 80 (1997)
Rs.325 or $14
Candid photographs of Goa’s grandeur in every mood, with text by Anil Dharkar

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Goa
By Sir J.M. Richards
Pp. 144 (1995)
Rs.95 or $5
Sir Richards studies the fascinating mix of traditions and images that together gives Goa its almost magical aura. The author celebrates people, culture, buildings, bazaars and beaches

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Goa
By Mario Cabral e Sa & Jean-Louis Nou
Pp. 111 (1986)
Rs.550 or $23
Goa’s top notch contemporary chronicler explores the past, maps the salient features and strips away the stereotypes created around Goa by superficial observers. Contains 60 lavish pictures

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Goa
By Asif Currimbhoy
Pp. 112 (1993) HB
Rs.150 or $7
A play on Goa that once played at Broadway.

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Goa Acts and Rules: Vol 1: Goa Municipalities Act 1968
By Subodh S. Kantak(Compiled By)
Pp.992 (1999) HB
Rs.700 or $27
A very handy law reference for members of the Bar, Bench, Government and the general public featuring the Municipalities Act 1968, with all updated, connected material

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Goa and her Khajans
By Cosme Jose Costa
Pp. 16
Rs.15 or $2
Khajans- a saga of constant reclamation of land from the sea to produce fertile rice fields- are Goa’s unique ancestral heritage with an unwritten history of hard labour of several centuries

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Goa and Portugal- Their Cultural Links
By Charles J. Borges & Helmut Feldmann (Ed.)
Pp. 320 (1997) HB
Rs.450 or $19
A collection of 21 papers on the theme: “Intercultural Relations: Portugal and Goa”. Covers aspects like 16th century life in Goa, contacts with Japan and Mozambique, and aspects of art, music and literature.

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Goa And The Blue Mountains Or Six Months Of Sick Leave
By Richard F. Burton
Pp.368 (1991) HB
Rs.365 or $16
A British officer of the 1850s who spends time in Goa, Malabar, Calicut and the Nilgiris, leaves behind his impressions.

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Goa and the Revolt of 1787
By Joaquim Heliodoro da Cunha Rivara
Pp. 292 (1996) HB
Rs.400 or $17
The eminent historian unshrouds the legends cloaking the conspiracy known as “The Revolt of the Pintos” and other incidents relating to Goan nationalism.

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Goa Dourada: The Indo-Portuguese Bouquet
By T.P. Issar
Pp. 177 (1995) HB
Rs.800 or $29
A visual delight. It celebrates the mingling of Indo-Portuguese cultures, manifested in architecture, artefacts, carpentry, ‘blue tiles’ and textiles of golden Goa.

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Goa Into The Mainstream
By R.N. Saksena
Pp.147 (1974) HB
Rs.20 or $2
Attempts to study the problems of emotional and national integration of Goans.

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Goa Liberation Movement And Madhu Limaye
By Champa Limaye (Ed.)
Pp.170 (1996) HB
Rs.350 or $15
The late Madhu Limaye was a noted writer and Parliamentarian. His thoughts, emotions and contribution to the Goan freedom movement from his diary.

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Goa Police
By Dr. N. Dilip Kumar
Pp.280 (1999)
Rs.395 or $17
In this first book of its kind, a serving police officer attempts to provide a historical account of the police systems prevailing in Goa, and how the military and civil police helped the Portuguese suppress the freedom movement.

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Goa Remembered: Vignettes Of Fading Traditions
By Angelo Pereira
Pp. 100 (1995) HB
Rs.300 or $13
A major book on Sangolda village, illustrated profusely. The things described here about life in a Goan village will make Goans yearn with nostalgia.

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Goa To Me
By Teotonio R. de Souza
Pp. 176 (1994) HB
Rs.250 or $11
The 10 essays-with an autobiographical introduction- are a search for self identity which the distinguished Goan historian sees as inseparable from the history of his land and people

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Goa! The Rome of the Orient
By V.C. Mowli & V.J. Narasimha Rao
Pp. 120 (1997)
Rs.80 or $4
A question and answer format makes easy reading for those who want general information on the ‘pearl of the East’.

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Goa’s Struggle for Freedom
By P.P. Shirodkar
Pp. 347 (1988) HB
Rs.175 or $8
The most comprehensive study of the fight of the Goans, their brethren in the country and the Indian govt. to knock Portuguese colonialism out of Goa.

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Goa- Cradle of my Dreams
By Nora Secco de Souza
Pp.136 LF
Rs.60 or $4
A collection of assorted articles.

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Goa- Images and Impressions
By Thomas Vaz
Pp. 70 (LF)
Rs.290 or $13
A quality coffee table book on Goa, filled with nostalgic and exquisite colour photographs of Goa today

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Goa: An Economic Update
By Prabhakar S. Angle
Pp 150/ (2001)
Rs.175 or $9
A follow-up to the book Goa: An Economic Review, this book looks at Goa from the perspective of socio-economic development.

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Goa: Concepts and Misconcepts
By Prabhakar S. Angle
Pp.98 (1997)
Rs.120 or $6
The author sets out “to correct the misconception” that Goa is a culture different from the rest of India

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Goa: Paradise Lost
By Alexyz Fernandes
Pp. 160 (1999)
Rs.50 or $3
The cartoonist brings together his entire collection of environmental cartoons

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Goa: Personalities 1996- Who is Who in the Future
By Gil Bastos Vieira
Pp.140 (1996) HB
Rs.100 or $5
English-Portuguese, bilingual book. A Brazilian journalist’s word-sketches of prominent Goans today.

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Goa: The Rachol Legacy
By Teresa Albuquerque
Pp. 120 (1997) HB
Rs.1260 or $39
Albuquerque delves into the splendid spiritual and cultural heritage, and unique sixteenth-century monastic baroque architecture of Rachol.

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Goa: Your Travel Guide
By MRM Publications
Pp 74/ (1999)
Rs.65 or $4
History, Sightseeing, culture, festivals, shopping, food and accommodation for tourists in Goa.

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Goa:Images and Perceptions
By Celsa Pinto
Pp.147 (1996) HB
Rs.250 or $11
A collection of 10 essays that shows Goa alive and throbbing in the 16th century. Discusses issues like: women’s inheritance rights, the cotton trade, etc.

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Goan Cookbook
By Joyce Fernandes
Pp. 70 (1994)
Rs.75 or $4
The book that placed Goan cooking on the world map.

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Goan Dishes
By Sudha Amonkar
Pp.140 (1996) Fourth Reprint
Rs.70 or $4

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Goan Mango Dishes
By Nilima M. Kamat
Pp. 125 (1998) PB
Rs.80 or $5
The author offers recipes of delectable pickles, chutneys, drinks and desserts.

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Goan Society Through The Ages
By B.S. Shastry (Ed.)
Pp.286 (1993) HB
Rs.300 or $13
23 papers on pre- and post-colonial Goa. Subjects range from Christian folk-songs to the status of women in Portuguese Goa, the tobacco trade, and other interesting insights into yesterday.

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Goans of Kenya
By Teresa Albuquerque
Pp. 102 (1999)
Rs.150 or $7
Albuquerque delves into the saga of a segment of Goans, driven by economic circumstances to venture into Africa at the turn of the century. Besides attaining eminence in public life, some of them played a significantly role in Kenya’s freedom struggle.

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Gram-Panchayats in Goa: A Critical Study
By Tanaji Halarnkar
Pp.212 (1990) HB
Rs.250 or $11
Dr Halarnkar’s book is the first scholastic study of village governance.

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Guide To Goa
By A.C. Khanna, K.K. Sawhney, S.R. Vashist (Ed.)
Pp. 64 (1998)
Rs.50 or $3
Everything you would like to know while vacationing in Goa. Includes a handy tourist map of the State.

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Health and Hygiene In Colonial Goa: 1510-1961
By Fatima da Silva Gracias
Pp.300(1994) HB
Rs.450 or $19
Investigates the medical scenario during Portuguese rule. Da Silva Gracias discusses the roles of traditional Goan medicine vis-a-vis modern medicine and finds that the public health conditions during the period were quite abysmal.

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Houses of Goa
By Gerard da Cunha, Heta Pandit and Annabel Mascarenhas
Pp.208 (1999)
Rs.1900 or $51
This book is the result of an extensive study of over 150 Goan houses, with a foreword by an exponent of natural architecture, Gerard da Cunha. The book covers all elements of style found in Goa’s architecture, with 200 gorgeous, colour pictures by photographer Ashok Koshy

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Kaleidoscope of Women In Goa
By Fatima da Silva Gracias
Pp.166 (1996) HB
Rs.250 or $11
A fine historian provides a picture of the life-styles of women-both Christian and non-Christian-including their customs, traditions and rituals during colonial rule.

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Law of Town and Country Planning in Goa
By Shantaram Naik (Ed.)
Pp.583 (1994) HB
Rs.200 or $9
An attempt to bring out the entire law on the subject in one handy volume.

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Legal Systems In Goa
By Dr. Carmo D’Souza
Vol. 2 Pp.305 (1995)
Rs.150 or $7
Comprehensive study of the history of Goa’s legal system. Volume 2 deals with laws and legal trends.

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Legends of Goa
By Mario Cabral e Sa
Pp. 119 (1998)
Rs.395 or $17
Cabral e Sa shares with readers a treasure chest of historical legends of Goa, from the earliest times till the end of the colonial rule. Illustrated by Mario.

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Major Crops of Goa
By Olavio Fernandes & Ulhas Kakode (Ed.)
Pp.132 (1997)
Rs.40 or $3
Viable technologies on various aspects of Goa’s agricultural and horticultural crops like rice, groundnut, coconut palm, mango, cashew, jackfruit and others.

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Of umbrellas, goddesses and dreams: Essays on Goan culture and society
By Robert S. Newman
Pp. 292/(2001)
Rs.225 or $10
In a series of essays, written over a period of three decades, an American anthropologist looks at Goan culture and society from a variety of unconventional standpoints. Shamans, mystics, gangsterish politicians, goddesses, postage stamps and other unexpected things come together in this collection which celebrates Goa’s syncretic, harmonious religious traditions, wherein people of different faiths live together in complete amity.

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Profile of Eminent Goans
By J. Clement Vaz
Pp.347 (1997) HB
Rs.400 or $17
A painstaking survey of the glorious achievements of an array of great Goans, past and present, and their various contributions to human progress.

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Saloni in Goa
By Loveleen Kacker
Pp.88 (1995)
Rs.50 or $3
Short story for youngsters. Set against the backdrop of Goa, drug dons et al.

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Society In Goa
By S.R. Phal
Pp.104 (1982) HB
Rs.50 or $3
The author focuses on traditional social institutions like those of the comunidade and the mundkar, the life-style of the Kunbis, and life in modern Goa as well.

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Statistical Pocket Book of Goa 1993-1997
By Statistics Department, Govt of Goa
Pp.246 (1996) Small Size
Rs.70 or $3
All the basic statistics on Goa you need, at a glance. Official version. Pocket size.

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Tales From Golden Goa
By Anita Pinto
Pp.36 (1998)
Rs.50 or $3
Lovely tales for children with typical, rustic characters and colourful illustrations. The narrative takes the reader from one Goan village to another.

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The Best of Goan Cooking
By Gilda Mendonsa
Pp. 105 (1997)
Rs.175 or $8
Mendonsa dishes out well-tried recipes of both Goan and Portuguese origin.

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The Conspiracy of 1787 In Goa
By Carmo de Noronha (Ed.)
Pp.28 (1994)
Rs.25 or $2
A pamphlet that contains a brief commentary on the first major indigenous conspiracy against Portuguese rule.

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The Construction Of A Political Community: Integration And Identity In Goa
By Arthur G. Rubinoff
Pp.173 (1998) HB
Rs.295 or $13
Details the hassles and the response of Goan ethnic and social groups to the process of integration with India after Liberation.

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The Essential Goa Cookbook
By Maria Teresa Menezes
Pp 371/ (2001)
Rs.295 or $13
A well-produced compilation of over two hundred Goan recipes. Showcases an entire range of Goan food, with special attention to fish, prawn, pork and chicken. Recipes include favourites like Bebinca, Chorico (the Goan sausage), Sorpotel, Vindaloo and many, many others.

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The Goa Law Reference
By Goa Foundation
Pp. 226 (1997) HB
Rs.350 or $15
A formidable arsenal of information for members of the bench and bar, researchers, litigants and members of the public, compiled by the Goa Foundation. Contains the full text of the Goa Law Commission Report plus all laws applicable in Goa, local and central.

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The Rape of Goa
By Patrick Ferdinand
Pp. 72 (1988)
Rs.100 or $5
A thought-provoking tragedy in five acts, bristling with cameos of cruelty, avarice and corruption in the wake of Portuguese invasion of Goa and the subsequent Inquisition.

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The State of Goa’s Health
By Vikram Patel et al.
Pp 62/ (2001)
Rs.60 or $4
A comprehensive report on health issues in Goa.

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The Transforming of Goa
By Norman Dantas(Ed.)
Pp.212 (1999)
Rs.175 or $8
Selected essays by eminent writers, who focus on Goa and the Goan identity between the tradition-bound Portuguese period and the present India-oriented, development-driven democratic times. The book provides a much needed counterpoint to the considerable mythification that Goans are subjected to.

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Unwanted Guest: Goans v/s Du Pont
By Claude Alvares (Ed.)
Pp.190 (1991)
Rs.75 or $5
A full report of the House Committee set up by the Goa Assembly to investigate the controversial Du Pont project which was unceremoniously kicked out of Goa.

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Village Goa
By Olivinho Gomes
Pp. 432 (1996) HB
Rs.550 or $23
Gomes has produced a scholarly, detailed sociological study of the village of Chandor in South Goa

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Winds of Fire: The Music and Musicians of Goa
By Mario Cabral e Sa
Pp.373 (1997)
Rs.595 or $25
Profiles some outstanding Goan musicians and vocalists both in the Indian and Western idioms.