Name: Pratik M's review of The billionaire raj by James Crabtree
Item: The billionaire raj
Rating: 4
Author: Pratik M

James Crabtree

a journey through India's new gilded age

The billionaire raj

Rohan Uddin

Pratik M

It's an entirely different India than the one I left behind more than 18 years ago. Starts with Mukesh Ambani's meteoric rise to now qualify as one of the Crazy Rich Southasians, and then talks about people that I've only heard a passing reference to. Nepotism, good 'ol corruption, and at its basest the plundering of public resources, the nouveau rich Indians are just a brown version of the East India Company. But it's a good look behind the curtain just to get a glimpse of what you're not missing and all that patriotic saccharine BS we're fed through Bollywood movies and cricket are simply a charade to tamper down the resentment that most Indians palpably feel. But the instinct isn't to overthrow these oligarchs (or as Crabtree calls them Bollygarchs) but in fact to think about how to join them in the plunder. I don't see any inkling of the progressive revolution, much like what helped America recover (somewhat) that will stem this rot.

Vivek Chand

Another good book about the nexus between big business tycoons and politics. After reading Rana Dasgupta's "Capital", this is another good read in the same vein.

James provides a honest and unbiased view of how the rich have enriched themselves further through cronyism. Some diversions to people like Arnab Goswami which was also interesting.

He manages to describe everything in a manner wherein he could actually meet the people he critiques even after writing the book. A recommended read for anyone interested in India

Rohan Uddin &
The billionaire raj by James Crabtree

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Rohan Uddin &The billionaire raj by James Crabtree

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Rohan Uddin &
The billionaire raj by James Crabtree