This book provides a concise historical overview of Japan’s transformation from the late Tokugawa period to the post–World War II era. Richard Storry examines the fall of the shogunate, the reforms and modernization of the Meiji Restoration, and Japan’s emergence as an imperial power. The narrative highlights key political, social, and military developments, including Japan’s expansion …
Indira Gandhi by Dom Moraes is a deeply researched and intimate biography of Indira Gandhi, written by a journalist who had access to her personal circle. Published in 1980, it covers her early life, political rise, leadership as Prime Minister of India, and her personal struggles. Moraes provides a portrait of Indira as a complex leader — strong yet vulnerable, charismatic yet controversial.…
Over the past forty years there has been a revolution in South African historiography, yet no broadly interpretative essay on South African history has appeared. The essays in this volume aim to provide such a reinterpretation for the nineteenth century before the discovery of minerals transformed the nature of South African societies, and help to shed light on earlier phases of South Africa's …
Mahavamsa: The Great Chronicle by Ananda W. P. Guruge presents a detailed historical narrative of Sri Lanka, focusing on the island’s ancient kings, Buddhist heritage, and cultural evolution. The book offers a scholarly translation and commentary that illuminate the political, religious, and social context of the chronicle. Guruge’s work highlights the Mahavamsa’s importance as both a his…
In this meticulously researched and iconoclastic work, the internationally respected Palestinian analyst and writer Said K. Aburish turns the current Western perception of Arafat upside-down and presents a re-examination of the leader's life. Judged by how the West now views him, Arafat has undergone one of the fastest transformations of any public figure in recorded history. In a mere four yea…
This book provides an in-depth analysis of Sri Lanka’s political evolution as a developing-world democracy. It explores the historical roots of its democratic institutions and the social tensions that have shaped its political landscape. Jupp examines ethnic conflict, governance challenges, and the impact of economic development on political stability. Overall, the book offers a critical asse…
The future of the West Bank and Gaza remains the single most crucial issue in the search for peace in the Middle East. Examining the entire range of possible outcomes, Mark Heller argues that an independent Palestinian state in those territories, even one dominated by the PLO, could, under certain stringent conditions, be the preferred option for Israel.rnIn the first comprehensive treatment of…
Indira Gandhi’s Emergence and Style by Nayantara Sahgal offers a psychological and political portrait of Indira Gandhi, focusing on her personality, leadership style, and how she rose to power. Sahgal dissects the interplay between Indira’s familial inheritance (as Nehru’s daughter) and her own temperament, arguing that her political behavior and decision-making were deeply shaped by her …
My Days with Nehru by M. O. Mathai is a memoir recounting Mathai’s personal and working relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Mathai, who served as Nehru’s private secretary, provides a revealing portrait of Nehru’s personality, work habits, political vision, and private life. Through detailed anecdotes, conversations, and reflections, Mathai describes not ju…
Down with Colonialism! is a collection of speeches, essays, and political writings by Ho Chi Minh that outlines his critique of French colonial rule in Vietnam and his vision for national liberation. Through clear and persuasive arguments, Ho Chi Minh exposes the injustices, exploitation, and oppression experienced by the Vietnamese people under colonialism. The book highlights the development …