In Spite of the Gods by Edward Luce

http://www.amazon.com/Spite-Gods-Rise-Modern-India/dp/1400079772
I read Luce's remarkable book after coming across a reference in Tharoor's book "The Elephant,the tiger and the cellphone". It is absolutely mesmerising.Well researched , well documented it presents India in a most interesting and unbiased manner.As an Indian I did not once feel hurt or unduly elated by any of the facts presented so lucidly by Luce. There was lot for me to learn , details ,facts, perceptions which I would not have discovered otherwise. The prose is simple and easy to read. I felt it was a book more for people who knew India well .People who would be able to understand the complex issues discussed and described so lovingly. Luce's fascination for the subject is unmistakeable.