In sixteen linked essays, Nobel Prize--winning economist Amartya Sen discusses India's intellectual and political heritage and how its argumentative tradition is vital for the success of its democracy and secular politics. The Argumentative Indian is "a bracing sweep through aspects of Indian history and culture, and a tempered analysis of the highly charged disputes surrounding these subjects--the nature of Hindu traditions, Indian identity, the country's huge social and economic disparities... (show more)
In sixteen linked essays, Nobel Prize--winning economist Amartya Sen discusses India's intellectual and political heritage and how its argumentative tradition is vital for the success of its democracy and secular politics. The Argumentative Indian is "a bracing sweep through aspects of Indian history and culture, and a tempered analysis of the highly charged disputes surrounding these subjects--the nature of Hindu traditions, Indian identity, the country's huge social and economic disparities, and its current place in the world" (Sunil Khilnani, Financial Times, U.K.). (show less)
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Amartya Sen is truly genius .... the book is one of the best i have read so far, maybe cause i love the subject.
The book reflects India and Indi... (show more)
Amartya Sen is truly genius .... the book is one of the best i have read so far, maybe cause i love the subject.
The book reflects India and Indian history and culture to the best, it tells u just how India is... a must read for Indians and non- Indians both.
Indians must read it especially to recall what they have forgotten and know what they have never known or thought about.
We are definitely the most argumentative, and i too had insights to what Mr Sen has to say in the book... for now all i can write is Read the book, and be little less argumentative and get on with some action :) (show less)
This concoction of History, Philosophy, and Religion proved heavy for me. I am not sure if I was able to catch Sir Sen's point the way he wanted me... (show more)
This concoction of History, Philosophy, and Religion proved heavy for me. I am not sure if I was able to catch Sir Sen's point the way he wanted me to, somehow the book makes me feel less of an Indian at the end of it. (I am quite sure that was not the intent) (show less)
This book changed my perspective on the history of atheistic and materialistic thought in ancient India. It makes a compelling case for the importance of secularism, reason and debate in political discourse, and argues that there is historical precedence of a critical and argumentative tradition in India (according to him, Sanskrit has the largest body of atheistic/agnostic literature out of all the classical languages).
One of the shocking parts of the book is the description of a how the ... (show more)
This book changed my perspective on the history of atheistic and materialistic thought in ancient India. It makes a compelling case for the importance of secularism, reason and debate in political discourse, and argues that there is historical precedence of a critical and argumentative tradition in India (according to him, Sanskrit has the largest body of atheistic/agnostic literature out of all the classical languages).
One of the shocking parts of the book is the description of a how the BJP blatantly doctored history in mandatory school textbooks, in order to give support to the hindutva ideology. Another shocking part is the fact that the malnutrition problem is worse in India than it is even in Sub-Saharan Africa, even though India currently has over 62 million tons of reserve grains - over a ton for every family below the poverty line. (show less)
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A pretty boring book to read cover to cover; It is more fun read if you pick out topics that seem interesting. A couple I liked were 'Tagore and His India'; 'China and India'.
Some of the topics like the Nuclearization of India, Caste based differences, have already been beaten to death in contemporary media; and the book offers little new insight.
Bits and pieces of dinner table trivia all over the book is pretty much the only redeeming factor for the casual reader. So Ill keep revisiting ... (show more)
A pretty boring book to read cover to cover; It is more fun read if you pick out topics that seem interesting. A couple I liked were 'Tagore and His India'; 'China and India'.
Some of the topics like the Nuclearization of India, Caste based differences, have already been beaten to death in contemporary media; and the book offers little new insight.
Bits and pieces of dinner table trivia all over the book is pretty much the only redeeming factor for the casual reader. So Ill keep revisiting it till I run out of patience! (show less)
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One of the most difficult book to read if you aren't Indian.. though, it gives a very deep knowledge on how the ideas evolved to reach today India
Zain Bayyah about 1 month agoThis book has been added to these lists:
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