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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Right title; wrong sub-title, March 30, 2008
This book is about "Games Indians Play" - no doubt about that. The author spares no opportunity available to go on endlessly about the million games they play and the million wrong things they do. And then he finds more opportunities to the same. What he does not do anywhere, however, in the book, is to explain "why we are the way we are". Every time he gets anywhere close to having to explain, he conveniently dives into game theory and other tools, recounts some interesting problems, draws some analogies, and then sneaks away nonchalantly hoping that nobody would notice his getaway. This could have worked, if the analogies were not largely focused on the outcomes instead of the causes and if they could have allowed for segregation of Indian behaviour from universal behaviour. As an example, the author draws the conclusion that Indians behave like "squealers" because it is the rational and intelligent thing to as shown by the "simple prisoner's dilemma". Thereafter, he casually also mentions that this behaviour is universally applicable and not just to Indians, and then goes onto say "But what is striking is that, in most situations, we Indians do not even see the dilemma. Defection seems to be our natural setting." And that's it. So where, Mr.Raghunathan, is the blinding insight about why we "do not even see the dilemma" or why we are different from the rest of the world? Is it our history, our geography, our genes, or something else? Why don't I see any mention of causal factors in this book? And when there are causal factors, why are they always universally applicable and never specific to Indians, making them useless in this context?
Frankly, I was very disappointed with the below-average analysis and deductions in this book, especially given the author's pedigree. The only thing I can give it credit for is that it is still a reasonably entertaining and well-written read, especially if you are a fan of pop Mathematics. Actually, that is where the author's strength may lie and what he might want to consider writing books on in the future.
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20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Do you ever scratch your head and ask "WHY?!", May 26, 2007
As an expat currently living in India, this book affirmed what I've found difficult and perplexing about living in New Delhi. The constant helplessness, petty jealousies and a sense that some of the observed poverty is just another one of India's treasured rackets (an alternative route for their bizarre and seemingly increasing corruption) is overwhelming and frustrating to watch on a day-to-day basis. I enjoyed this book immensely as it helped me to understand the behavior I see around me, why it continues without change (or question) and in the end, why and how others perceive their continued benefit from this seemingly irrational paradigm (from a Western view point).
Listening to Indians and the media in India, there is a view that Westerners are selfish, lack connected communities and have no "family values" or "morals" (whatever this means by whomever defines it). It's almost as if Indians have it reversed from Westerners. In particular, Americans who value personal independence coupled with a sense of civic duty and responsibility to others whereas Indians emphasize family and communal relationships to guide their behavior and actions but do not necessarily extend their concerns outside their immediate circle.
If you are curious about India as an up and coming "Super Power," get your hands on this book. Mr. Raghunathan has done a wonderful job using game theory to explain how your average Indian views and responds to other Indians as well as the world in general.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing more than rambling from a Chai shop, May 16, 2008
Very disappointed. The guy claims to have experience teaching for 20 years at IIM. I had a respect for this institution before reading this book. But surprised, how an ignorant fellow like this author can teach there.
All the material he collected for this book can be heard at a chai shop. Bunch of people complaining that the world is going to be doomed soon.
He tried to justify it with game theory and by throwing in couple of english sounding names.
The summary of his book.
1. Indians are more selfish than people of other cultures ( which i disagree).
2. Every one doing their part (dharma) will solve this problem.
Does not look like he ever heard the works like accountability, checks and balances.
But I appreciate his choice for the Title of the book. I brought the book after all. [...]
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by Edward Luce
