In Spite Of The Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India

(Paperback)

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India is poised to become one of the world's three largest economies in the next generation and to overtake China as the world's most populous country by 2032. Well before then India's incipient nuclear deterrent will have acquired intercontinental range and air, sea and land capabilities. India's volatile relationship with its nuclear-armed neighbour, Pakistan, may prove to be the source of the world's next major conflict. And if you call anyone- from your bank to rail enquiries- your query may well be dealt with by a graduate in Gujarat. Any way one looks at it, India's fate matters. Edward Luce, one of the most incisive and talented journalists of his generation, assesses the forces that are forging the new nation. Cutting through the miasma that still clouds thinking about India, this extraordinarily accomplished book takes the measure of a society that is struggling to come to grips with modernity. Drawing on historical research, existing literature and his own unparalleled access as the New Delhi-based, South Asia correspondent of the FT, this is a book that will enthral as well as educate and will remain the definitive book on the country for many years.

Reviews

IN SPITE OF THE GODS is some way ahead of the game. Luce is a highly perceptive and intelligent writer and, unusually, he understands how India works. SUNDAY TIMES Luce delivers genuine insight and revealing observations among the exhaustive facts, interviews and history METRO Engrossing... Instead of standing loftily above the action, Luce gets in among the people to reveal the results of economic policy at street level... A wonderfully engaging portrait of India DAILY TELEGRAPH

Author Bio

Edward Luce is a graduate from Oxford in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He worked as a speech writer for the treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, was the FT's South Asia bureau chief and is now based in Washington DC as the FT's Washington Commentator.