An American-born son of Indian parents describes his stay in India, observing the dilemmas and contradictions of the country and recounting the stories of individuals from industrialists and religious seekers to entrepreneurs and everyday families.

"A lively discussion between two eminent Indian academics that examines what it means to be an Indian. Through a stimulating dialogue, two old friends trace the history of the idea of India through digressions, anecdotes, and observations. Historian Romila Thapar and theorist Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak reflect on the challenges posed by essentialism and exclusion whenever cultures attempt to define and assert themselves. They also emphasize the role...