Review of Indian Railways Book by Bibek Debroy: An Overly Academic Read

With a subtitle such as the weaving of a national tapestry, Indian Railways by Bibek Debroy seemed to be a compelling exploration of one of India's most iconic institutions. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. It turned out to be an overly academic read and a disappointing one for the casual reader.

My Rating:

❤️🤍🤍🤍🤍

“An overly academic read.”

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What is Bibek Debroy’s Indian Railways about?

The book aims to tell the story of Indian Railways, from its early development during the British era to its modern-day role in shaping India’s infrastructure. However, it leans heavily into the technical and administrative aspects, especially focusing on pre-independence history and the various controlling government bodies.

What makes Indian Railways book disappointing?

Indian Railways book is a tough read. It states in the preface that it doesn't aim to be a dry, academic tome, but ironically, that's exactly what it feels like. The writing is dense, filled with bureaucratic details, and lacks the human stories or engaging narrative one might expect from a book about such a vast and beloved system.

Why I couldn’t finish it... twice.

I tried reading this book not once, but twice, and failed to get beyond 30 pages each time. I found myself skipping through the tedious references and uninteresting data. The book offers little in terms of storytelling. Instead, it reads like a textbook—making it inaccessible and boring for someone seeking an engaging narrative on Indian Railways.

To read or not to?

Unless you’re a history buff or someone deeply interested in the technical evolution of Indian Railways, this book probably isn’t for you. It might serve well as a research reference, but as a general read, it's incredibly dry and lacks the vibrancy one might expect from a book on such a fascinating subject.

Final Thoughts

Indian Railways by Bibek Debroy may have been intended to bring the story of Indian Railways to life, but it ends up being more of a technical account. If you’re looking for stories that weave together the emotional and cultural significance of the railways in India’s national fabric, this book isn’t it. For casual readers, this is a hard pass.

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