One of this century's greatest surprises has been the economic and social revolution in India. A country long characterized by such adjectives as 'timeless', 'spiritual' and 'backward' is now viewed through a new set of clichés: 'hi-tech', 'materialistic', 'go-getting'. But what is the real nature of this rapid change, and what are its roots? Patrick French has spent much of his life engaged with India, and his landmark new book is filled with the qualities that have won his writing exceptional praise: his love of narrative, sympathy for the individual's experience, scepticism about official claims, and relish for the mayhem of political life. His account of Indian independence, Liberty or Death, is an acclaimed bestseller. Now he gives us an encompassing social, political and economic history of India from partition to the present day. Examining the cultural foundations that made India's accelerated transformation from socialist economy to capitalist powerhouse possible, French creates a vivid, surprising picture of what it is like to live at a time when millions have pulled themselves free of poverty - with fortunes made almost overnight - but where violence, corruption and caste prejudice have equally been given new outlets. He delves into Indian society and politics, including the personal story of one of the most powerful women in the world, Sonia Gandhi. And he travels the country's regions to show how Nehru's vision of a democratic, secular India has continued to attempt - in the face of conflict and setbacks - to hold this vast, implacably diverse nation together. French has spoken to everyone from the nation's political leadership to Maoist revolutionaries and mafia dons, from chained quarry workers to self-made billionaire entrepreneurs and technological innovators. The result is a richly detailed, wide-ranging and hugely rewarding portrait of India.

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India a portrait ; [an intimate biography of 1.2 million people

Patrick French

Penguin Books Ltd

Particular Books

Penguin Classics

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

London, England, 2011

London [u.a, 2011

sources:
urn:isbn:9781846142147

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Examining The Cultural Foundations That Made India's Accelerated Transformation From Socialist Economy To Capitalist Powerhouse Possible, French Creates A Vivid, Surprising Picture Of What It Is Like To Live At A Time When Millions Have Pulled Themselves Free Of Poverty--with Fortunes Made Almost Overnight--but Where Violence, Corruption And Caste Prejudice Have Equally Been Given New Outlets. He Delves Into Indian Society And Politics, Including The Personal Story Of One Of The Most Powerful Women In The World, Sonia Gandhi. And He Travels The Country's Regions To Show How Nehru's Vision Of A Democratic, Secular India Has Continued To Attempt--in The Face Of Conflict And Setbacks--to Hold This Vast, Implacably Diverse Nation Together. French Has Spoken To Everyone From The Nation's Political Leadership To Maoist Revolutionaries And Mafia Dons, From Chained Quarry Workers To Self-made Billionaire Entrepreneurs And Technological Innovators. The Result Is A Richly Detailed, Wide-ranging And Hugely Rewarding Portrait Of India--publisher Description, P. [2] Of Cover. By Patrick French. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Second only to China in the magnitude of its economic miracle and second to none in its potential to shape the new century, India is fast undergoing one of the most momentous transformations the world has ever seen. In this panoramic book, Patrick French chronicles that epic change, telling human stories to explain a larger national narrative. Melding on-the-ground reports with a deep knowledge of history, French exposes the cultural foundations of India's political, economic and social complexities. He reveals how a nation identified with some of the most wretched poverty on earth has simultaneously developed an envied culture of entrepreneurship. Even more remarkably, he shows how, despite the ancient and persistent traditions of caste, as well as a mind-boggling number of ethnicities and languages, India has nevertheless managed to cohere, evolving into the world's largest democracy, largely fulfilling Jawaharlal Nehru's dream of a secular liberal order.--From publisher description.

2021-07-05