Working a Democratic Constitution by Granville Austin

 

First Published: 1999

Oxford India Paperback Edition: 2003

When we watch the news, we try to look for a comprehensive coverage of the matter in interest. If we are to look for a comprehensive coverage of the first four and a half decades of India's constitutional experience, look no further than Granville Austin's Working a Democratic Constitution. 

Working a Democratic Constitution, written by Granville Austin, an American expert on the Indian Constitution, captures the essence of India's tryst with a Constitution over 45 years, along with providing exciting backstories to many incidents. 

The writer has adopted the traditional style of writing an academic book. However, the equal importance and coverage the author gives to backstories and incidents as he does to the matter at hand keep the reader engaged. He adopts a higher level of vocabulary, which perfectly capture the meaning of a sentence but may be difficult for beginner readers. 

Though the book ends with the mid-1980s, the insights and interpretations contained continue to be relevant. The highlight of the book is the concluding section, where the author evaluates India's constitutional progress. Upon reading the section, the reader may be surprised by the extent of the similarity between the author's analysis and the path India is moving to. 

+: In-depth insights and backstories

+: Accurate analysis

+/-: Higher levels of vocabulary

Verdict: 9.8/10

Comment: The "Go-to" book on the Indian Constitution