The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity - Softcover

Sen, Amartya

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141012110 ISBN 13: 9780141012117

Publisher: Penguin, 2006

Synopsis

From Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian Culture, History and Identity brings together an illuminating selection of writings on contemporary India.

India is an immensely diverse country with many distinct pursuits, vastly different convictions, widely divergent customs and a veritable feast of viewpoints.

Out of these conflicting views spring a rich tradition of skeptical argument and cultural achievement which is critically important, argues Amartya Sen, for the success of India's democracy, the defence of its secular politics, the removal of inequalities related to class, caste, gender and community, and the pursuit of sub-continental peace.

'Profound and stimulating ... the product of a great mind at the peak of its power'
  William Dalrymple, Sunday Times

'One of the most influential public thinkers of our times...This is a book that needed to have been written...It would be no surprise if it were to become as defining and as influential as work as Edward Said's Orientalism'
  Soumya Bhattacharya, Observer

'The winner of the 1998 Nobel prize in economics is a star in India ... he deserves the recognition ... shows that the argumentative gene is not just a part of India's make-up that can easily be wished away'
  The Economist

Amartya Sen is Lamont University Professor at Harvard. He won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1998 and was Master of Trinity College, Cambridge 1998-2004. His most recent books are The Idea of Justice, Identity and Violence and Development as Freedom. His books have been translated into thirty languages.

About this title

Review

"The product of such a great mind at the peak of its power, "The Argumentative Indian" is one of the most stimulating books about India to be written for years."--William Dalrymple, "The Times" (London)
"This is a book that needed to have been written. . . . It would be no surprise if it were to become as defining and influential a work as Edward Said's "Orientalism.""--Soumya Bhattacharya, "The Observer" (London)
"An intellectual tour de force from an economist who can lay equal claim to the designations of sociologist, historian, political analyst, and moral philosopher."--Shashi Tharoor, "The Washington Post"
"Masterfully tying Indian concerns to broader social and philosophical questions, Sen addresses the many aspects of Indian identity."--"Library Journal"

"This is a book that needed to have been written. . . . It would be no surprise if it were to become as defining and influential a work as Edward Said's "Orientalism.""--Soumya Bhattacharya, "The Observer" (London)
"The product of a great and playful mind at the peak of its power, "The Argumentative Indian" is the most stimulating and enjoyable book about the idea and identity of India to be written for years."--William Dalrymple, "The New York Review of Books"
" "
"An intellectual tour de force from an economist who can lay equal claim to the designations of sociologist, historian, political analyst, and moral philosopher . . . Breathtaking in its range and scholarly eclecticism."--Shashi Tharoor, "The Washington Post Book World"
"Masterfully tying Indian concerns to broader social and philosophical questions, Sen addresses the many aspects of Indian identity."--"Library Journal"

This is a book that needed to have been written. . . . It would be no surprise if it were to become as defining and influential a work as Edward Said's "Orientalism." "Soumya Bhattacharya, The Observer (London)"

The product of a great and playful mind at the peak of its power, "The Argumentative Indian" is the most stimulating and enjoyable book about the idea and identity of India to be written for years. "William Dalrymple, The New York Review of Books"

An intellectual tour de force from an economist who can lay equal claim to the designations of sociologist, historian, political analyst, and moral philosopher . . . Breathtaking in its range and scholarly eclecticism. "Shashi Tharoor, The Washington Post Book World"

Masterfully tying Indian concerns to broader social and philosophical questions, Sen addresses the many aspects of Indian identity. "Library Journal""

This is a book that needed to have been written. . . . It would be no surprise if it were to become as defining and influential a work as Edward Said's Orientalism. Soumya Bhattacharya, The Observer (London)

The product of a great and playful mind at the peak of its power, The Argumentative Indian is the most stimulating and enjoyable book about the idea and identity of India to be written for years. William Dalrymple, The New York Review of Books

An intellectual tour de force from an economist who can lay equal claim to the designations of sociologist, historian, political analyst, and moral philosopher . . . Breathtaking in its range and scholarly eclecticism. Shashi Tharoor, The Washington Post Book World

Masterfully tying Indian concerns to broader social and philosophical questions, Sen addresses the many aspects of Indian identity. Library Journal

"

"This is a book that needed to have been written. . . . It would be no surprise if it were to become as defining and influential a work as Edward Said's Orientalism." --Soumya Bhattacharya, The Observer (London)

"The product of a great and playful mind at the peak of its power, The Argumentative Indian is the most stimulating and enjoyable book about the idea and identity of India to be written for years." --William Dalrymple, The New York Review of Books

"An intellectual tour de force from an economist who can lay equal claim to the designations of sociologist, historian, political analyst, and moral philosopher . . . Breathtaking in its range and scholarly eclecticism." --Shashi Tharoor, The Washington Post Book World

"Masterfully tying Indian concerns to broader social and philosophical questions, Sen addresses the many aspects of Indian identity." --Library Journal

Synopsis

India is a very diverse country with many distinct pursuits, vastly different convictions, widely divergent customs, and a veritable feast of viewpoints. "The Argumentative Indian" brings together an illuminating selection of writings from Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen that outline the need to understand contemporary India in the light of its long argumentative tradition. The understanding and use of this rich argumentative tradition are critically important, Sen argues, for the success of India's democracy, the defense of its secular politics, the removal of inequalities related to class, caste, gender, and community, and the pursuit of sub-continental peace.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0141012110
• ISBN 13: 9780141012117
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 432