The Forging of the Iron Lady
More alloy than purely ferrous, Margaret Thatcher could be insecure and compromising, her official biographer admits. A second chronicler rises for the defence
How to get the hostage back
A kidnap negotiator shares his techniques in a lively memoir
King of the jungle
Vladimir Putin's enemies flee or die. National interest is swept aside by one man's mania for absolute control
Moving out from the cold
In an all-too-rare lecture, author Haruki Murakami opens up about himself
Totalitarianism today
Bangkok expat writers form a 'brigade' of social critics updating Orwell's warning
Munching on word salad
Bookworms leaf hungrily away in Tokyo's back-street cafe libraries
The best book in the world book capital
Celebrating Bangkok's year as World Book Capital, Asia Books set up an exhibition this week at Siam Paragon for "King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life's Work", a biography newly translated as "Klang Chai Rat".
Tales from a Pattani village
A new book reveals what life is really like in Thailand's deep south
Argentinian illustrator Isol wins Astrid Lindgren award
The world's largest award for children's literature has been won by a picture book illustrator whose work 'exposes the absurdities of the adult world'
The queen of history
A complete and engaging biography of Elizabeth II explains her quirks and underscores her value
