Riaz Dean works as a Business Improvement Consultant. He is an engineer by profession, and also holds an MBA degree. He lives in Wellington, New Zealand, after lived and worked (for a multinational) in Australia, Germany and USA in the last decade. He is a member of the NZ Society of Authors and the NZ Cartographical Society, and is an avid reader of historical exploration.
"""A fascinating, informative, and seminal history of the British exploration of India is a welcome and unreservedly recommended contribution to community, college, and university library British/India history collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.""-- ""Midwest Book Review"" ''...absorbing, well-written story of the mapping of India during the days of the Raj.''-- ""Indian Military Historical Society Journal"" ''Overall the book is well researched and a fascinating read. I highly recommend this book to general readers as well as anyone with a passing interest in mapping in general or in the Great Game.''-- ""ANZMaps"" ''The author tells an engaging story, sets the scene and brings the time to life. The author brings this work to life for people who have never actually done work of this nature. Overall the book is well researched and a fascinating read. I would highly recommend this book to general readers as well as anyone with a passing interest in mapping in general or in the Great Game.''-- ""The Globe"" ''Within this big picture, it is Dean's instinct for telling and cherishable details that really sets this magnificent book apart. ''-- ""Geographical"" ""This book will be of foremost interest to historical enthusiasts interested in mapping, travel stories, and espionage...a fine example of popular history, and a worthy addition to the literature on the Great Game.""-- ""Journal of Military History"" ""The author tells an engaging story, sets the scene and brings the time to life.""-- ""Australian and New Zealand Map Society"" ''A thrilling story of espionage and cartography against the backdrop of imperial ambitions of two powers, Britain and Russia...remarkable for packing in so many details between its covers.''-- ""The Hindu"" ''The book offers us glimpses into extremely eccentric personalities whose lives were dedicated to controlling India's great riches...recognizes the efforts of the various Indians...who were invariably those handling the equipment and in many cases running the greatest risks. It is the stories of these overlooked people that makes the book most readable.''-- ""National Herald India"" ""They were the greatest group of explorers the world has seen in recent history...""-- ""SirReadaLot.org"""