![[attachments/The-Crooked-Timber-Of-New-India-Essays-on-a-Republic-in-Crisis.jpg|height=240]] ## Review It is a riveting read purposefully written - I think - in a very accessible language. Prabhakar deconstructs fairly complex historical, social and political phenomena that have been analysed using theories & constructs in political science, without employing any of their jargons. Most of these are written in an oratorial-rhetorical fashion, but cautiously avoiding rancour/bitterness, of which there are clear undertones. The bitterness comes through out of a place of sincerity though, a place of feeling deeply disturbed by the general direction in which the political environment is shifting in the country and the very purposeful acts of commission, but more importantly omission that are chosen by the leading powers that be. That said, I hope more people who are not so convinced about this line of thinking may pick it up and question their uncritical devotion to what they feel is a "brave alternative choice to the Congress rule". Prabhakar makes a strong case for not automatically falling for "There is no alternative" option, because that is rightly not the argument for accepting something devious. The detailed unpacking and story-telling of COVID-19 handling, the deconstruction of the (lack of) macroeconomic ideology, and the disturbing empowerment of thugs and goons in the name of religion are all articulately covered and discussed. It's a book that is coming from a place of conscience....a pricked one. ## Reading status - Status: Read - My rating: 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Date started / added: 2023/06/22 - Date finished: 2023/06/22 ## Metadata - Author: Parakala Prabhakar - Year: — - ISBN13: ="9789354474095" - Shelves (Goodreads): india, political-economy