The “Shinto: A History” is a must-read book for anyone who is interesting in Japanese faith. Helen Hardacre is the author of this informative book. Helen is Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions and Society at Harvard University. She concentrating on Japanese religious history of the modern period, and she has done extended field study of contemporary Shinto and Buddhist religious organizations. In this book, Helen discusses the structure of Shinto religion and a lot of technical information on shrine building. Shinto is the Japanese religion dating from the early 8th century and incorporating the worship of ancestors. This book shows how the public and native Meiji Shinto favored the rise of nationalism in the 2nd half of the 19th Century.

The “Deadly Embrace: Pakistan, America, and the Future of the Global Jihad” is a well-written history book. Bruce Riedel is a senior fellow in Foreign Policy Office and senior adviser to the four U.S. presidents. In 2009, he chaired an interagency review of policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan under the Obama’s administration. In this historical book, Bruce describes Pakistan and America have been gripped together for decades. He sketches the history of U.S. and Pakistani relations from partitioning of the subcontinent since 1947 to the present day. Bruce offers a short study of US strategic policy in South Asia, specifically the conflict between western powers and jihadi groups. Deadly Embrace also provides the history of Osama bin Laden. Osama hideout at Abbottabad in Pakistan that led to the al Qaeda leader demise. Furthermore, Deadly Embrace gives an overview of the last thirty years of Pakistanis internal politics and its relations with the United States. The author of this book is not a judge and nor a politician, he analyzes the case objectively and points out the flaws of US policy towards Pakistan which bring the Pakistani state to this dangerous point. All in all, Deadly Embrace is a good history book which shares the history of Pakistan and America.

The “Made in China: Women Factory Workers in a Global Workplace” is an enlightening book that reveals about China women. Pun Ngai is the author of this instructive book. Pun Ngai is an Assistant Professor in the division of social science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. A pun is co-editor of Remaking Citizenship in Hong Kong: Community, Nation, and the Global City and the founder and chair of the Chinese Working Women Network. In this book, Pun Ngai reveals how Chinese young girls work in factories. She describes when the Chinese girls near about the twenties, she moves from rural areas to urban centers to work in factories. Because of state laws, she cannot leave their rural permanently. They work 12 hours in a factory, like men works. Pun Ngai points out the terrible toll on people lives of excessive overtime, mostly the physical and psychological impacts on young women. She works in factories five to six years, then back to rural areas and marry there. Furthermore, Pun illuminates the worker’s perspectives and experiences of factory workers. All in all, Made in China is a best-selling book that describes Chinese women.

“Red Platoon” is both a heartbreaking and beautiful little story of love & loss, strength & finding your way.  Clinton Romesha is the author of this novel. This author is a master in bringing all of the stories together and throwing in a surprise ending. The author’s style is charismatic and entertaining, even if a bit self-indulgent. The novel masterfully builds the tension until it reaches a fever pitch as the author finally begins putting the various pieces of the puzzle into place. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns in store for the foursome as the truth about the events preceding. It is an enjoyable read with constant developments between the past and the present. There are several sub-themes woven into the primary setting of the novel. It is a great story with an imaginative plot, believable characters and most of all heart and wisdom. It is truly a gem of a book. It shows that love is timeless. It will make your heart want to explode. This story is beautiful, magical and it’s a wonderful experience. In short, it is one of the best novels of all time that touch the soul of readers with powerful words.

“Ghost Wars” If you want to understand the conflict in Afghanistan as well as can be explained, read this book. The most poignant aspect is that this book was written prior to 9/11. Steve Coll is the author of this comprehensive book. Brilliant book! Explains in great and unbiased detail how idealogues in the US government in the late seventies and during the Reagan years literally created the Islamist movement in Pakistan and Afganistan. They were so obsessed with undermining the Soviets, they never thought what they were creating in the process. Despite many of those involved doing everything to avoid Vietnam, they did exactly the same thing, underestimating the local “partners” who played both sides (US and Russia) and also misreading the true motivations on the local people. Essential reading for anyone how wants to understand the roots of ISIS and any other extremist organization.