Books

Book reviews
Books

Book review- Engel’s England

If you want to learn more about England beyond just touristy and famous places, Engel’s England is a book you should try. This massive book (over 500 pages) covers the entirety of England as author Matthew Engel visited all 39 historic counties as well as London itself. However, let me first make it clear that […]

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Land of The Dawn-Lit Mountains cover
Book reviews
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Book review- Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains

Nestled deep in the northeastern corner of India lies Arunanchal Pradesh, the “land of the dawn-lit mountains,” and one of the least explored parts of the country. As such, Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent decided to go on a motorcycle journey into the state where she ventured into jungles and mountains, stayed with remote tribes and experienced some […]

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Saladin book cover
Book reviews
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Book review- Saladin

I’ve always been fascinated by Saladin, the great military leader of the Muslim Arabs or Saracens who fought and won victories against Western Crusaders in the 12th century. He is famous for capturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders, but he was also lauded for his integrity. I was eager to read more about Saladin and John […]

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Swiss Watching cover
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Book review- Swiss Watching

I enjoy reading about different countries, but Switzerland has never really struck me as fascinating. Sure, it’s famous for making expensive watches and has stunning mountains, but I’d always considered it to be a bland wealthy country, exemplified by its neutral status. However, my perception has changed thanks to Swiss Watching- Inside Europe’s Landlocked Island by Diccon […]

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Formosa Moon cover
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Taiwan

Book review- Formosa Moon

As both a travelogue and a sort-of memoir, Formosa Moon sees Joshua Samuel Brown, a longtime Taiwan expat moving back from the US, bringing his girlfriend Stephanie Huffman to Taiwan for the first time. The trip stems from a premise years ago when after their relationship becomes serious, Brown makes it clear to Huffman that he would eventually […]

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Book review- Island People- The Caribbean and the World

The Caribbean often conjures up an image of idyllic white-sand beaches and blue seas with steelpan music or reggae playing in the background. The reality is far more turbulent and fascinating. The Caribbean is a region of multiculturalism and complexity, mixed with arts, poverty and crime. First off, the Caribbean comprises over a dozen countries […]

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Book review- The Sympathizer

Lots of books have been written about the Vietnam War but most of those have been about the US experience. The Sympathizer is a novel about the war from a Vietnamese perspective, but even this is a little complicated. The protagonist is a South Vietnamese captain and aide of a special police general, both of whom flee […]

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