A review by nuts246
Whole Numbers and Half Truths by Rukmini S
5.0
Over the last couple of years we have seen how data is being incorrectly represented to tell a story very different from reality. Comparisons are made between non-comparables, partial data is being extrapolated, and when all else fails, rhetoric is used to cover up and question what data shows.
Particularly during the COVID period, Rukmini has been one of the few voices of sanity that has put data in the correct context, and let it speak for itself.
I picked up the book with extremely high expectations, and I was not disappointed. The book is broken into ten sections, each of which looks at one aspect of life in India- how India votes, how India eats, how and where India lives, how is crime committed and reported in India. In each of these and more, she looks at the official data, and breaks it down to paint a picture of the real India. Many of her conclusions are highlighted by stories- a few stories at the outlier of data, and the others personifying the median.
The book will leave you saddened, because the numbers bear out some of the sad realities that you already suspect. Yet, it will leave you with a resolve that comes with knowing the reality so you can work towards changing it.
A must read for anyone who wants to understand India.
And yes, if you are reading this, you are NOT middle class- you are in the top 5 percentile of the nation on almost every indicator.
Particularly during the COVID period, Rukmini has been one of the few voices of sanity that has put data in the correct context, and let it speak for itself.
I picked up the book with extremely high expectations, and I was not disappointed. The book is broken into ten sections, each of which looks at one aspect of life in India- how India votes, how India eats, how and where India lives, how is crime committed and reported in India. In each of these and more, she looks at the official data, and breaks it down to paint a picture of the real India. Many of her conclusions are highlighted by stories- a few stories at the outlier of data, and the others personifying the median.
The book will leave you saddened, because the numbers bear out some of the sad realities that you already suspect. Yet, it will leave you with a resolve that comes with knowing the reality so you can work towards changing it.
A must read for anyone who wants to understand India.
And yes, if you are reading this, you are NOT middle class- you are in the top 5 percentile of the nation on almost every indicator.