Page 34 - Book Reviews
Growing roses in concrete
Can people build on skills that are not immediately apparent? Wharton School professor Adam Grant weighs in on the nature vs nurture debate in his book, providing some definitive answers
 "Growing roses in concrete")
Putting rural India first
Amarjeet Sinha draws on four decades of work experience as a bureaucrat, offering valuable lessons for effective programme delivery in poverty reduction and gender empowerment in his book
 "Putting rural India first")
Driving an industry
R C Bhargava's latest book is a step-by-step recounting of the Maruti story, but its real value lies in the many lessons that the story holds both for policymakers as well as manufacturers
 "Driving an industry")
The men who made and unmade Twitter
As for Musk, he seemed determined to break things as soon as he entered Twitter's offices carrying a porcelain sink
 "The men who made and unmade Twitter")
The bigotry of the victim
This is a disturbing book, and a much-needed one, because the obsession with appearance continues to thrive in spaces where gay men seek romance, sex and companionship
 "The bigotry of the victim")
Propaganda vs facts
Three journalists join forces to debunk viral falsehoods on topics like love jihad, population jihad, and forced conversions with straightforward facts in their new book
 "Propaganda vs facts")
An anatomy of financial sector reform
The Budget speech of 1991 changed the tone of reforms, but in the decades since, the pace has been more driven by scams and crises than by necessity, argues Rajrishi Singhal in his book
 "An anatomy of financial sector reform")
A marked life
A compilation of stories, some autobiographical and some fictional, details the agony of living in the shadows and the genuine challenges of breaking free from one's caste identity
 "A marked life")
What algorithms can do
From automated trading to shopping, Marek Kowalkiewicz's book explores the far-reaching impacts of algorithms on industries, individuals, and innovation
 "What algorithms can do")
Immigration crisis, Made in America
Conflicts over immigration often arise from similarity rather than difference, and the strangers at our border have a familiar history that Blitzer tells in meticulous and vivid detail
 "Immigration crisis, Made in America")
Unpacking the 'S' word
Though compact, Nalini Rajan's book packs an abundance of deeply researched information, aiming to reinforce one's understanding of secularism
 "Unpacking the 'S' word")
The deadly business of restricting immigration
While xenophobia remains a constant in American life, anti-immigrant policies have consequences beyond borders. Two recent books, spanning different periods in history, illustrate this point
 "The deadly business of restricting immigration")
The loneliness of the female athlete
Sohini Chattopadhyay's book brings India's top women athletes to the forefront, providing them with a shared space in history, so that future female athletes won't have to struggle for recognition
 "The loneliness of the female athlete")
Muslim secular ideas of India
Amar Sohal's book is a fascinating attempt to remind us of the political values of modern Muslim secular ideas
 "Muslim secular ideas of India")
The mind is mightier than the algorithm
Tenen leads by example, bringing his human intelligence to bear on artificial intelligence. By thinking through our collective habits of thought, he offers a meditation all his own
 "The mind is mightier than the algorithm")
Grieving through popular culture
Cyril Radcliffe, the man who physically drew the line separating Hindu-dominated India from the Muslim one in the west and the east, had the worst job possible
 "Grieving through popular culture")
A 'pop-up yatri' introspects
If you are keen to explore what Rahul Gandhi's politics of love might look and feel like, scientist-turned-journalist Dilip D'Souza's book offers just that-from the ringside
 "A 'pop-up yatri' introspects")
Diplomacy on the edge
Weaving in global geopolitics over India, Pakistan, and Kashmir, former Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria explores the complex tapestry of Indo-Pak relations with humour and insight
 "Diplomacy on the edge")
Democracy for the minority, by the minority
With Donald Trump likely to storm back to power on their dime, their contribution to powering the cause of far-right minorities is no less disturbing
 "Democracy for the minority, by the minority")
The gaze of the gurus
What is missing from our lives that makes us seekers? Or a seeker who becomes a guru? Mick Brown's book delves into this age-old question, revealing a fascinating, horrifying, and amusing account
 "The gaze of the gurus")