Book Review: Marxism and Other Western Fallacies : An Islamic Critique by Ali Shari'ati

Written by Ali Shariati, translated by R. Campbell, this book reflects on the thoughts of one of the most important writers in Iran’s recent history. Ali Shariati’s influence in Iran could be estimated by the fact that in twelve months, starting from January 1978 the Pahalvi dynasty crumbled down. Shariati believes that there are few intellectual currents of his time which include Western liberalism, Marxism, Existentialism and religion....

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Book Review: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Nobel Laureate Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha is revolves around a character named Siddhartha. Siddhartha is a Brahman who embarks on a spiritual journey. Govinda his close friend also chooses to accompany him. This journey takes them to Gotama Buddha. Govinda becomes Gotama Buddha’s disciple whereas Siddhartha does not wish to become one. Siddhartha believes that Buddha’s teachings miss something. Hence he carries on his spiritual journey...

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Book Review: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Kafka was a German writer who lived from 1883 to 1924. This book The Metamorphosis has been translated by David Wyllie. Spending an early disturbed life and facing a strict father Kafka’s work reflect certain elements of his own life experiences. Kafka writes about a man named Gregor Samsa. Gregor is the central character of this story. One morning Gergor discovers that he has overslept and turned into a bug. He is unable to carry out his...

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Book Review: The Fatimids- The Rise of a Muslim Empire by Shainool Jiwa

This is the first volume of the book Fatimids. It is an interesting account that brings out the complex history of the Ismaili Fatimid dynasty in North Africa. It presents a new view point in looking at the Mediterranean during crucial times of western world history. The book is based on five chapters which discuss the origins of the Fatimid Empire, expansion in Mediterranean region, empire building and the Fatimid advance in Egypt. Fatimids...

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Book Review: Manto Saheb Translated by Vibha Chauhan and Khalid Alvi

Manto Saheb is a multi-faceted biography of one of the greatest South Asian writers of the 20th century. Who wondered that Manto who failed Urdu in his high school exam and later emerge as one of the finest writers of the century. This book brings stories about Saadat Hasan Manto, an essayist, scriptwriter and a master of writing short stories. The stories written in this book include that of Manto’s family, friends and rivals. Some of the...

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Book Review: Twenty Weeks in America by Akhtar Hameed Khan

Written by Akhtar Hameed Khan from 3 Sept 1969 to 21 Jan 1970 this book is a dairy of day to day account of his time spent in Princeton USA. Originally written in Urdu this book is translated into English by Aquila Ismail. Born on 15 July 1914 Akhtar Hameed Khan rose to one of the most prominent social scientist of the twentieth century. He rose to fame with the establishment of a Rural Development Academy in Comilla East Pakistan in 1960s...

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