In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India

India is still a mystery to many Americans, but it's set to become the world's third biggest economy soon, beating Japan. By 2032, it'll have more people than China, and by 2050, more people who speak English than the United States. Edward Luce, a journalist who knows India well, explains its rise to power in his book, "In Spite of the Gods." It's already a big hit in India and will likely be seen as the best way to understand modern India for a long time.

Luce's book shows that India is a place of contradictions. The tech industry is booming, but only a small part of the population works in it. Most people in India live in villages and struggle to get by. Yet, India is the biggest democracy in the world, and it mostly works well, despite a lot of corruption.

India is different from China as an economic rival to the U.S. China has big factories, but India doesn't. Many Indians don't get a good education, but there's a big middle class that produces lots of engineers. Even though India will compete with the U.S. in the global economy, American leaders support India's rise, hoping it will balance China's power in Asia.

"In Spite of the Gods" shows how India is changing as it tries to keep its old traditions while modernizing. It's a well-researched book with funny stories that show India's opportunities and challenges. The future of India is uncertain, but it's up to India to make the most of its potential.