Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation, Adam Roberts
Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation, Adam Roberts
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Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation
The Relentless Invention of Modern India

Author: Adam Roberts

Narrator: Graeme Malcolm

Unabridged: 11 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: PublicAffairs

Published: 04/25/2017


Synopsis

Who can foretell India's future? Mr. Joshi is a fortune teller in a slum in south Delhi who uses a soothsaying green parrot to make predictions. When Adam Roberts visited him in 2012, Joshi's parrot declared that India was destined to become the most powerful nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The parrot also foretold that India would win the soccer World Cup.

Parrots may not be the preeminent political authority, but many Indians were just as confident. So Adam Roberts spent five years traveling the length and breadth of the country from Kerala to the Himalayas, Bengal to Gujarat. As he encountered the power brokers, gate keepers, and elaborate social dynamics of the world's largest democracy, he asked if -- and how -- India can become a truly great economic power, more influential abroad and stable at home. He met prime ministers, multimillionaires, traveling salesmen, pilgrims, eco-warriors, farmers, and tech innovators, each wrestling with the trials posed by the world's most conspicuously nearly great power. He experienced an immense country that, despite daunting challenges, is entering the most optimistic period in its modern history.

Through vivid storytelling and insight, Superfast Primetime Ultimate Nation examines the problems and promises of fast-growing India to reveal how it might reach its full potential and become, as Mr. Joshi's parrot predicted, a truly powerful nation.

About Adam Roberts

Adam Roberts is Reader in Nineteenth-Century Literature, Royal Holloway, University of London.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Vandita on January 11, 2018

I want to give this one 3.5 stars as I, personally, did not get a lot more insight than I already had into the ‘relentless invention of modern India’ (the sub title of the India). However, for a reader who is not familiar with India and needs a sneak peek into understanding of this complex, and impo......more

Goodreads review by Rohan on August 08, 2017

One of the best books on India, the political climate and the challenges it faces as it strives to become a superpower. Written in a brilliant and engaging manner.......more

Goodreads review by Kushal on July 30, 2017

Good Summary of the state of the Nation in 2017 - good to read as a primer on India maybe for someone who just moved here but not much in here if you already are up to date with current affairs/economics/politics of the country.......more

Goodreads review by M on July 07, 2017

A quick-paced run-through of issues facing India's ascent to power, prestige, health and economic weight. If politicians and business people cared more for improvement of human capital rather than crony enrichment, things might improve in time for India's independence centennial in 2047. On the othe......more

Goodreads review by Vishal on November 08, 2018

I saw this book when I went to my local library to pick up another book that I had reserved. The colorful cover of this book caught my eye and after reading a couple of pages I took it out. The book looks at the Gandhi family and how they came into politics to how it has been passed down the generat......more