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Artwork for Asian Review of Books

Asian Review of Books

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes281Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for Asian Review of Books

Latest Episodes

Borneo—split between two countries, home to some of the world’s oldest rainforests and a vast array of animal and plant life—is back in the news. The island is set to be home to Nusantara, Indonesia’s new planned political capital set to, maybe, open... more

Can someone be Chinese and Muslim? For some academics, this has been a surprisingly fraught question, with some asserting that Chinese Muslims are not really Chinese, or not really Muslim.

Rian Thum, in his book Islamic China: An Asian History (Harv... more

Today, Afghanistan–if it ever reaches global headlines–is portrayed as an unstable land, known more for the wars great powers fight (and often lose) on its territory. Yet for most of human history, Afghanistan wasn’t on the margins of civilizations, ... more

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rian Thum
Author of Islamic China and Asian History
University of Manchester (Senior Lecturer)
Episode: Rian Thum, "Islamic China: An Asian History" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Warwick Ball
Archaeologist and author
Reaktion Books (author of Ancient Civilizations of Afghanistan)
Episode: Warwick Ball, "Ancient Civilizations of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Times to the Mongol Conquest" (Reaktion, 2025)
Joanna Lillis
Author of Silk Mirage
Bloomsbury
Episode: Joanna Lillis, "Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
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)

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
#127
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#34
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#36
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#66
Hong Kong/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#89
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#163
Israel/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Joanna Lillis, "Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Q: I mean, what kind of brought you there as a reporter in the first place and what were the major events you covered that shaped your view of the country?
She details joining Uzbek reporting via BBC Monitoring, covering repression, human rights concerns, and high-profile cases such as the torture and deaths of prisoners, which informed her view of Uzbekistan's authoritarian period and its subsequent reforms under Mirziyoyev.
Joanna Lillis, "Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Q: So, Joanna, thank you so much for coming on the show today to talk about your book, Silk Mirage is all about Uzbekistan. And, you know, before we talk about like the time period you're covering, you know, what's your history with this country?
Lillis explains that she moved to Uzbekistan in 2001 after working in Moscow, began reporting on the country for the BBC and related networks, and has spent over two decades documenting its politics, society, and the regime's evolution from Karimov to Mirziyoyev.
Warwick Ball, "Ancient Civilizations of Afghanistan: From the Earliest Times to the Mongol Conquest" (Reaktion, 2025)
Q: So why did you want to write this kind of study?
Ball explains he was approached by Reaktion Books to create a work accessible to general readers, while also addressing a long-standing scholarly gap about Afghanistan's rich histories beyond its modern headlines.
Rian Thum, "Islamic China: An Asian History" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Q: What inspired your focus on the Ming, Qing, and Republican eras, and how did you decide which biographies to highlight?
Thum says these periods capture the emergence of Chinese Muslim self-understanding through writings by Chinese-speaking Muslims, and he chose individual biographies to let diverse actors speak beyond rigid ethnic or religious categories.
Rian Thum, "Islamic China: An Asian History" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Q: Are the Chinese Muslim works written in Arabic, Chinese, Persian, or Turkic languages, and how does the language choice affect interpretation?
Thum explains that most sources were Persian and Arabic, especially in mosque libraries, with Chinese translations appearing later as literacy improved; reading strategies often involved bridge texts that connected Islamic ideas with Confucian or Chinese interpretive frameworks.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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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Which podcasts are similar to Asian Review of Books?

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1. The LRB Podcast
2. Ones and Tooze
3. Empire: World History
4. HistoryExtra podcast
5. Past Present Future

How many episodes of Asian Review of Books are there?

Asian Review of Books launched 5 years ago and published 281 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. Rian Thum
2. Warwick Ball
3. Joanna Lillis
4. Yi-Ling Liu
5. Eric Chopra
6. Yossef Rapoport
7. Namit Arora
8. Imran Mulla

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