Book Review

The Troublemaker: A tale of courage, capitalism, and contradictions

Mark L Clifford writes in The Troublemaker, a brisk account of Lai's life and work, the gravity of his predicament began to set in, and Lai sent a laconic WhatsApp message to his associates

Hameed's memoir calls for reclaiming India's spirit of communal harmony

The book reveals the India that once was, a plural state for which the liberal elite waxes nostalgic, and the India that could be by defeating rising Islamophobia

India's many voices: Conversations on culture, democracy, and dissent

Can writers, artists, or citizens exist in a political vacuum? This collection of conversations by Githa Hariharan delves into culture, democracy, and dissent

'Think Like The Minimalist': A practical guide for creative minds

Could minimalist thinking offer a formula for creative ads? Two IITians outline a step-by-step process in their book

Chitvan Gill's Dreaming a Paradise captures lives of Delhi's migrants

Chitvan Gill explores existential questions that concern and confront each one of us through the stories of residents in an unauthorised colony in Delhi

Energy symbiosis, not transition: A revealing take on climate challenges

Jean Baptiste-Fressoz's book exposes how governments and corporations embrace green rhetoric while reinforcing the carbon economy

Big Tech and Trump: Two books explore their turbulent relationship, future

Mr Musk, after spending more than $250 million on Trump's re-election, has signed on to help slash the federal budget as co-leader

A Maverick in Politics: Profound, truthful, and no-holds-barred like Aiyar

From this book we learn of the trials and tribulations of an MP who wants, in all sincerity, to junk caste and class and just "develop" his constituency

Kevin Rudd's book examines Xi Jinping's push to reshape Western norms

The author concludes that the Chinese leader is determined to strengthen ideology, change global norms in China's favour, and leave a legacy of his thoughts as the driving mandate for the CPC

Chris van Tulleken's book reveals the perils of ultra-processed foods

Some books change the way we think. Others change the way we live. Ultra-Processed People is one such book

Sean Carroll's books decode the universe, blending physics with maths

Sean Carroll challenges the idea that math is not for everyone. In two volumes, he presents physics for amateurs with a touch of math that promises to become pop science classics

'Who is Equal': A unique look at equality and its legal complexities

At the base of the book is the author's contention that "there are multiple and often competing visions of what it means to be equal and how best to achieve that goal"

Jamsetji Tata: New book explores Tata group's adherence to his vision

Many books and works are referenced, but the authors often assume that the lay reader should automatically know what they are talking about

American Bulk: A sharp take on consumer culture and overconsumption

American Bulk is always alert to the sudden sign that reveals meaning amid all the merch

The White Ladder: Heroes, villains, and the drama of early mountaineering

Approaching the peak, more than 17,000 feet above sea level, the scene shifted from snow and frozen chasms to eruptions of what were described as "great tongues of flame"

Love, challenges, and diplomacy: An Indian woman's journey in Islamabad

In her book, Ms Ghanashyam provides a first-hand perspective of her experiences in these three years as an Indian woman living in "enemy country"

Johann Hari's book explores the risks of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic

Ozempic makes people eat less, but its impact on physical and psychological well-being is not well understood. Johann Hari's book explains the science behind it in an accessible way

Crossing the trans bar: Thanuja Singam's journey through struggles and hope

Treading a path outside the gender binary is no easy task. In candidly raising the alienation and abuse that these people face, dental hygienist Thanuja Singam's memoir is an inspiring read

Freedom: Book explores ex-German chancellor's journey, record, and vision

Merkel devotes a long section of her book to the rapid and unexpected events that followed November 1989

Lucky Loser: A deep dive into the myths of Donald Trump's fortunes

Buettner and Craig are Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporters at the New York Times who have been reporting on Donald Trump's businesses and personal finances since 2016