Book Reviews

Science and Practice of Public Health: A manual for the developing world

At a time when the world is grappling with public health challenges, this book is an easy-to-read handbook for policymakers, connecting theory to the practice of public health

James McDougall's 'Worlds of Islam' celebrates rich heritage and diversity

One recurring theme that unites this book is Sufism

Our 'screenified' future: How screens turned people into performers online

The book is at its strongest when Garber gets hyperspecific, forcing the reader to wrestle with the fact that the far-reaching power of the screen has touched all parts of life

Test Cricket: Tim Wigmore's masterly history of the game and empire

A sweeping review of Tim Wigmore's Test Cricket: A History, exploring how empire, race, class and politics shaped the game's longest format

The Rules That Make Us: Anthropology meets corporate strategy in this book

This book offers a fascinating look at the intersection of big business and the humanities, offering a glimpse into a unique career, though it can sometimes feel self-promoting

Reimagining Government: Handy AI guide for govt, but falls short on detail

While the book is written obviously for policymakers in the United States, it can actually pretty well be used by most governments in both developed nations and fast-developing nations like India

Two Bandra Girls: Farm life memoir blends dreams with reality of rural life

Two women leave their Bandra lives to start an organic farm in Raigad, resulting in a book packed with action, drama and occasional plot twists

Trauma Nation: India's neglected mental health challenge needs addressing

As anxiety, depression, physical illnesses and addiction become global problems, this book studies their impact with an Indian lens

The Successor: Boris Nemtsov, a Russian road not taken and its legacy

For Fishman, Nemtsov embodies the promise of the free, democratic Russia. Had he fulfilled his destiny, there might not be fighting in Ukraine, with the spectre of World War III

Portrait of An Artist: Exploring the art of practice in the studio

Rohit Chawla and Kishore Singh's book, Portrait of An Artist, rises to the occasion, choosing to focus on what happens in the studios where artists create

Rasputin: Beevor's nuanced account of the Romanovs debunks mystic's myth

Antony Beevor's book casts a cool academic eye on this controversial faith healer, arguing that despite the mystique, Rasputin's influence on the fall of the Romanovs has been exaggerated

Under Grey Smoggy Skies reveals India's urban homelessness problem

Invisible to most, Harsh Mander's latest book peels back the layers of injustice and neglect that the urban homeless experience in our cities

The Durian Flavour: India-Asean ties underperform despite promise

India's first Ambassador to Asean, Gurjit Singh, offers an in-depth assessment of India's relationship with the grouping and why it has fallen short of its full potential

Polar Wars: Arctic tensions overshadow climate urgency and cooperation

Polar War reflects the current reality of security considerations overwhelming all others, including the threat of climate change

What went wrong: A stark reappraisal of Israel's political trajectory

In his new book, Israel: What Went Wrong?, Bartov reflects on what has happened in the two and a half years since that episode

First Bite: A journey through urban India's diverse breakfast cultures

Priyadarshini Chatterjee's First Bite explores India's urban breakfasts, blending food, history, and culture into a rich ethnography of everyday life

Slowing down to save the planet: A manifesto for mindful living

With themes such as slow food, slow health, slow fashion, slow work, and slow democracy, this book offer practical actions for a more mindful daily life

The Robe and the Sword: Why Buddhism needs protection from polarised monks

A sharp, accessible account of how religion and power intertwine in Asia, examining Buddhist extremism without losing sight of faith's deeper values

Taming the Dragon: Clear diagnosis but few solutions to India-China tension

Why India must not only enhance its comprehensive national power but also become a major power in China's perception

Do you know your Hinduism? Understanding an ancient way of life journey

While everyone must find the meaning of religion in their own way, this book serves as a handy guide in the journey