A Biography of Cao Cao
Rafe de Crespigny is an Australian sinologist, now aged 90. He specialises in the history of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. His…
A basic book — Egypt’s Arab Spring: The Long and Winding Road to Democracy
This is an over-hyped book if one looks at the accolades printed on the back cover. It may be the fault of sloppy editors. To…
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A good book — Discoveries: The Voyages of Captain Cook
This is actually a 2018 reissue of a 2003 book for the 250th anniversary of the departure of Endeavour. While the broad outlines of all…
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Beautiful book — James Cook: The Voyages
This pictorial book published to mark the 250th anniversary of the departure of James Cook on his first voyage is a joy to read. Each…
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Essential Koran: The Heart of Islam – An Introductory Selection of Readings from the Quran
This is a selection of readings from the Koran. It is a slim book. For a reader not familiar with the chapters of the Koran…
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A joy – The Making of ‘Jewel in the Crown’
An excellent book. A wonderful complement to the TV series.
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Excellent book – The Bounty Mutiny
This would have been a better book if a newer edition and an updated introduction are published taking into account the fresh evidence in the…
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An introduction — Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel
This is a slim book on Michelangelo and his painting of the Sistine Chapel. I find this book interesting for personal observations, albeit brief, by…
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Beautifully written — Michelangelo And the Pope’s Ceiling
I first read this book in 2004. Any visitor to The Sistine Chapel should read this book. It will greatly enhance your appreciation of the…
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General history — Heaven on Earth: A Journey Through Shari‘a Law
The title of this book is inaccurate. Readers looking for a history of Islamic law will be disappointed. Readers looking for a history of the…
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Untouchability — The Doctor and the Saint: Caste, Race, and Annihilation of Caste
This book was first published as an introduction by Arundhati Roy for an annotated edition of Ambedkar’s pamphlet Annihilation of Caste in 2014. It is…
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