Another Reason

Rating:
Summary: Not for the faint of heart. . .
Review: Chances are that if you're reading this book it was assigned for a class. Prakash is an eloquent writer who offers rigorous arguments, but he often does so in a convoluted and deeply academic style. His excellent coverage of the beginnings and underlying motivations of museums is fascinating and accessible reading, and it fits neatly with his over-all examination of the coming of Indian Modernity. His overall argument flows through the entire book, though it is easy to lose sight of it if you're reading for pleasure.

Rating:
Summary: Great Foucauldian discussion of science and state in India
Review: This book is a better example of the use of Foucauldian analysis in a non-Euro/American setting. Prakash's discussion of how the colonial state used science to legitimate its rule, and how the nationalist anticolonial elites redefined and reinscribed science to legitimate their own goals is very thorough. He applies Foucault's notion of "governmentality" to demonstrate how science operated to control and maintain the populace. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great Foucauldian discussion of science and state in India
Review: This book is a better example of the use of Foucauldian analysis in a non-Euro/American setting. Prakash's discussion of how the colonial state used science to legitimate its rule, and how the nationalist anticolonial elites redefined and reinscribed science to legitimate their own goals is very thorough. He applies Foucault's notion of "governmentality" to demonstrate how science operated to control and maintain the populace. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Not Science but more...
Review: This not about science as such, but about the idea of science. This is one of best recent academic books that I have read on modern India. Using science as a window into the culture of modern India, or Indian modernity, Prakash provides a captivating account of how areas ranging from museums to religion to politics were refashioned. The book is also very elegant, starting with the cool cover, the well chosen chapter epigraphs, and chapter titles. You will come away with a very thoughtful, nuanced understanding of how the idea of science entered the constitution of colonial India. One last thing, though Prakash's approach is what would be called "postcolonial," it is solidly grounded in Indian materials while being very stylish. A real treat!