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Artwork for Asian Review of Books

Asian Review of Books

New Books Network
World War II
India
Japan
China
Bernhard Sindberg
Nanjing Massacre
Tokyo Trials
Operation Gratitude
The Enclave
A Slight Angle
Hong Kong
The Girl With the Seven Lives
United States
Xiongnu
Han Dynasty
Mongolia
Jhaveri Family
Mughal Empire
US Navy
Mumbai

The Asian Review of Books is the only dedicated pan-Asian book review publication. Widely quoted, referenced, republished by leading publications in Asian and beyond and with an archive of more than two thousand book reviews, the ARB also features long-format essays by leading Asian writers and thinkers, excerpts from newly-published books and reviews of arts and culture. Support our show by becom... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes278Founded5 years ago
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BooksHistoryArts

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Artwork for Asian Review of Books

Latest Episodes

In September 2016, Islam Karimov–the first president of a post-Soviet Uzbekistan–died, at age 78. His death ended an oppressive dictatorship that had governed the Central Asian country for decades, which led to corruption, environmental damage, and p... more

Not too long ago, in the 2000s and 2010s, many felt that the internet–even one behind the Great Firewall–would bring about a more open China. As President Bill Clinton famously quipped in 2000, Beijing trying to control the internet would be like “tr... more

Delhi is haunted—by its ghosts, its ruins, and its unending capacity for rebirth. In the shadow of medieval mosques and Mughal tombs, the past refuses to stay buried. Saints, Sultans, poets, and lovers—all linger in the city’s imagination, their stor... more

Today, much of the Middle East is “Arab”—an identity that now extends across North Africa and up through the Near East to Syria. Yet how did this region become Arab? How did this identity spread? Was it due to migration, or conquest?

Historian Yoss... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Yi-Ling Liu
Author of The Wall Dancers, Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet
Episode: Yi-Ling Liu, "The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet" (Knopf, 2026)
Eric Chopra
Public historian, writer, media creator, and podcaster
Ichihasology
Episode: Eric Chopra, "Ghosted" (Speaking Tiger, 2026)
Yossef Rapoport
Historian at Queen Mary University London and author of 'Becoming Arab, The Formation of Arab Identity in the Medieval Middle East'.
Queen Mary University London
Episode: Yossef Rapoport, "Becoming Arab: The Formation of Arab Identity in the Medieval Middle East" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Namit Arora
Writer, social critic, and author of three books, including Indians, A Brief History of a Civilization and The Lottery of Birth.
Episode: Namit Arora and Romila Thapar, "Speaking of History: Conversations about India’s Past and Present" (India Allen Lane, 2025)
Imran Mulla
A journalist at Middle East Eye and author of 'The Indian Caliphate, Exiled Ottomans and the Billionaire Prince'
Middle East Eye
Episode: Imran Mulla, "The Indian Caliphate, Exiled Ottomans and the Billionaire Prince" (Hurst, 2025)
Sean Mathews
A Greek-American journalist and correspondent with Middle East Eye.
Middle East Eye
Episode: Sean Mathews, "The New Byzantines: The Rise of Greece and Return of the Near East" (Hurst, 2025)
Kerry Brown
Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: Kerry Brown, "The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power" (Yale UP, 2024)
Suraj Milind Yengde
Professor of History and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Suraj Milind Yengde, "Caste: A Global Story" (Hurst, 2025)
Joseph Torigian
Associate professor at the School of International Service at American University and research fellow at the Hoover History Lab at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: Joseph Torigian, "The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping" (Stanford UP, 2025)

Host

Nicholas Gordon
Host of the Asian Review of Books podcast. A knowledgeable figure in discussions around Asian literature and history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Great interviews

    Nicholas Gordon is a great interviewer. I look forward to each and every episode of this podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Harry Victor
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the thought-provoking nature of the interviews and discussions, emphasizing the host's ability to engage meaningfully with guests.
There is a notable recognition of the podcast's contribution to uncovering lesser-known aspects of Asian history and literature.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#105
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#137
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#179
New Zealand/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#198
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#230
Israel/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Yi-Ling Liu, "The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet" (Knopf, 2026)
Q: How do you see the Chinese internet going from here, particularly with AI?
The key question is how China will regulate AI technologies, as they are now built on existing internet platforms and require adaptation of previous regulations.
Yi-Ling Liu, "The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet" (Knopf, 2026)
Q: What do you think explains the greater scrutiny on the Internet in the late 2010s, early 2020s?
One reason is the global financial crisis of 2008, leading leadership to think that liberalization could bring instability, thus shifting to more control.
Yi-Ling Liu, "The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet" (Knopf, 2026)
Q: Why did you want to write about this time period, the 2000s and 2010s?
I wanted to capture the vibe and the origin stories of this period, which was vibrant and filled with a sense of optimism about the Internet being a force for liberalization in China.
Eric Chopra, "Ghosted" (Speaking Tiger, 2026)
Q: How does today's India engage with these ghost stories?
Chopra explains that ghost tourism is beginning to take shape in India, sparking curiosity but also risking the exoticization of historical narratives.
Eric Chopra, "Ghosted" (Speaking Tiger, 2026)
Q: Where did the idea for this book come from?
Chopra's love for horror and history merged through his experiences in Delhi, leading him to explore the haunted monuments in his book.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Review of Books

What is Asian Review of Books about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations revolve around Asian literature, history, and cultural dynamics, often engaging with notable authors and scholars who explore a range of topics from historical narratives to modern societal issues. The discussions are enriched with insights on the significance of various literary works, the complexities of identity within different cultural contexts, and the ongoing impact of historical events on contemporary society. Unique elements such as the examination of lesser-known aspects of Asian history and literature also set it apart, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the multifaceted nature of Asia's past and present. The content is particularly relevant for individuals seeking a deeper appreciat... more

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1. Empire: World History
2. Past Present Future
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Asian Review of Books launched 5 years ago and published 278 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Asian Review of Books?

Recent guests on Asian Review of Books include:

1. Yi-Ling Liu
2. Eric Chopra
3. Yossef Rapoport
4. Namit Arora
5. Imran Mulla
6. Sean Mathews
7. Kerry Brown
8. Suraj Milind Yengde

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