Book Rating: 3/5
Author: Andy Marino
So, the first million dollar question that comes to your mind seeing the author of this political Biography is that who is this foreigner who has been cornered to write a book about possibly the most important contemporary political figure in the country. Was he really able to understand the dynamics of Indian politics and the zillion parameters which it is based on. And perhaps it would have been way better to assign this task to some insider who knew the history, the biases and the moments of truth.
But then again there is this counter view that is equally real and persuasive. Imagine an insider knowing all the relevant stuff but then wouldn't he be having certain biases by the virtue of his long association with certain quarters here in India. Would he be able to present am objective depiction of the political career of our present Primus Interpares! And hence comes an outsider who can present the things he learns about this man in a crude and objective manner!
The first impression is that the content seems superficial and certainly seems to be lacking the much required depth in the hunt for facts. Certainly this was not an easy task given the political standing of the person concerned and the unfortunate events that surround his political career. At the end you feel like there could have been more aspects to the story and there could have been more effort on the part of the author.
Secondly, there is a chapter on "Development and Governance" showcasing the freaking awesome administrative skills of Modi in transforming the state of Gujrat. The vision he had, the ways he adopted and the execution skills they are all just Epic! I feel that every administrator must read this very chapter as it broadens our administrative horizon in many ways. And this is not like some "paid article" as it is all out there for you to see. Facts speak for themselves.
Another point is that there seems to be an imbalance in the listing down of arguments in certain facets of debates. It seems that the author is pressing upon the views he might have formed upon his own observation. That certainly should not be the case. This should not be a case of prejudiced political discourse. And lastly, i feel with so much happening in the run up to the last General Elections, this book needs to be heavily updated as it fails to capture the exponential political rise of the protagonist in the recent times. Overall a good read to know the making of the Prime Minister we have been waiting for!
Some good lines....
"Emergency years was one the best experience that I had. I became aware; I understood the Constitution. I understood the rights, because before that I was living in a different world. The emergency became a university for me!"
"The appeal increased to the extent the ideology got diluted. Wherever the ideology was strong, its appeal diminished!" - Advani on Jan Sangh.
"All the allegations act as my fodder, all the criticism is my fodder, which improves me!"
"Those who throw stones at me, I collect the stones and make a staircase, and I am going up and up. With the help of those stones I am rising and rising and rising!"
"For centuries, India was exploited by Foreigners. Indian resources were used for Western benefit. It is time to use Western Money for Indian benefit!"
Author: Andy Marino
So, the first million dollar question that comes to your mind seeing the author of this political Biography is that who is this foreigner who has been cornered to write a book about possibly the most important contemporary political figure in the country. Was he really able to understand the dynamics of Indian politics and the zillion parameters which it is based on. And perhaps it would have been way better to assign this task to some insider who knew the history, the biases and the moments of truth.
But then again there is this counter view that is equally real and persuasive. Imagine an insider knowing all the relevant stuff but then wouldn't he be having certain biases by the virtue of his long association with certain quarters here in India. Would he be able to present am objective depiction of the political career of our present Primus Interpares! And hence comes an outsider who can present the things he learns about this man in a crude and objective manner!
The first impression is that the content seems superficial and certainly seems to be lacking the much required depth in the hunt for facts. Certainly this was not an easy task given the political standing of the person concerned and the unfortunate events that surround his political career. At the end you feel like there could have been more aspects to the story and there could have been more effort on the part of the author.
Secondly, there is a chapter on "Development and Governance" showcasing the freaking awesome administrative skills of Modi in transforming the state of Gujrat. The vision he had, the ways he adopted and the execution skills they are all just Epic! I feel that every administrator must read this very chapter as it broadens our administrative horizon in many ways. And this is not like some "paid article" as it is all out there for you to see. Facts speak for themselves.
Another point is that there seems to be an imbalance in the listing down of arguments in certain facets of debates. It seems that the author is pressing upon the views he might have formed upon his own observation. That certainly should not be the case. This should not be a case of prejudiced political discourse. And lastly, i feel with so much happening in the run up to the last General Elections, this book needs to be heavily updated as it fails to capture the exponential political rise of the protagonist in the recent times. Overall a good read to know the making of the Prime Minister we have been waiting for!
Some good lines....
"Emergency years was one the best experience that I had. I became aware; I understood the Constitution. I understood the rights, because before that I was living in a different world. The emergency became a university for me!"
"The appeal increased to the extent the ideology got diluted. Wherever the ideology was strong, its appeal diminished!" - Advani on Jan Sangh.
"All the allegations act as my fodder, all the criticism is my fodder, which improves me!"
"Those who throw stones at me, I collect the stones and make a staircase, and I am going up and up. With the help of those stones I am rising and rising and rising!"
"For centuries, India was exploited by Foreigners. Indian resources were used for Western benefit. It is time to use Western Money for Indian benefit!"
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