The Idea of India
by Sunil Khilnani
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The key book on India in the postnuclear era, with a new Introduction by the author.Our appreciation of the importance of India can only increase in light of the recent revelations of its nuclear capabilities. Sunil Khilnani's exciting, timely study addresses the paradoxes and ironies of this, the world's largest democracy. Throughout his penetrating, provocative work, he illuminates this fundamental issue: Can the original idea of India survive its own successes?Tags
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Member Reviews
I liked this book a lot when I first read it in 1997. at that time I found it fascinating. To me, it was a seminal book, and my 3 star rating may be a but unfair, since I have given this book a three star on my second reading, and after I have read many more books on my own home country.
For a first time reader of such books, I can actually recommend no better. The writing is very clear, very lucid. I like the way in which he has divided the subjects. It makes this very clear to read chunks of the book independently.
This is a great glimpse into the making the making of modern India, and is a good book for Indians and foreigners alike.
For a first time reader of such books, I can actually recommend no better. The writing is very clear, very lucid. I like the way in which he has divided the subjects. It makes this very clear to read chunks of the book independently.
This is a great glimpse into the making the making of modern India, and is a good book for Indians and foreigners alike.
If you have any interest in India, read this book. It is a clear-sighted study of a country that has more history, more cultures, more languages and greater geographic features than anywhere on earth.
Khilnani presents interesting ideas about where it came from, how it might have morphed, and how it may continue to survive. Here is an excerpt: http://www.purao.net/wiki/IdeaIndia_excerpt
9780143032465
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The book is not a dry recitation of information but is a colorful expression of ideas that opens the reader's thoughts to a place that most have never seen and could barely imagine. The Idea of India is not a comprehensive discussion of the country of India but an adequate overview like one may get from spending the day walking through a forest rather than a year studying its trees. In the show more same way, the beauty and intricacies of India still become apparent through this brief introduction to the country and culture. show less
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Author Information
56+ Works 552 Members
Sunil Khilnani is the author of the acclaimed book The Idea of India (FSG, 1998). He is the Avantha Professor and Director of the India Institute at King's College London and a visiting professor at Princeton University. He is married to the writer Katherine Boo.
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- Members
- 312
- Popularity
- 101,996
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.74)
- Languages
- English, French
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 3
