Top Books on Asian History and Culture

The best Asian History includes Midnight in Chernobyl (Audiobook), The Bells of Nagasaki: Takashi Nagai's Life (Paperback), In Order to Live: North Korean Escape and many others as mentioned below.

1

Midnight in Chernobyl (Audiobook)

  • Definitive story of the Chernobyl disaster.
  • Based on original reporting and archival research.
  • Explores nuclear power's global perception shift.
  • Highlights environmental and ecological impacts.
  • Details the Soviet Union's political catastrophe.
  • Includes firsthand interviews with witnesses.
  • Award-winning nonfiction that reads like fiction.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.68
2

The Bells of Nagasaki: Takashi Nagai's Life (Paperback)

  • Expanded chapters for deeper insights on Dr. Nagai.
  • New applications connect lessons with daily life.
  • Simplified language for clearer reading experience.
  • Upgraded design enhances reading on all devices.
  • True story of courage, faith, and resilience.
  • Explore WWII from a unique Japanese perspective.
  • Messages of healing, hope, and reconciliation throughout.
  • Price Range: $9.99
3

In Order to Live: North Korean Escape

  • Inspiring true story of survival and resilience.
  • Shines a light on North Korean oppression.
  • Details harrowing journey to freedom and dignity.
  • Brave testimony of betrayal and hardship endured.
  • Highlights human rights activism and hope.
  • Emphasizes pride in heritage despite adversity.
  • Encourages awareness of ongoing North Korean struggles.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.75
4

A Book of Five Rings Audiobook

  • Insights from legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
  • Explores sword fighting, strategy, and Zen philosophy.
  • Essential for martial artists and business strategists.
  • Includes a one-hour Zen-inspired soundtrack.
  • Performed with authentic Japanese instruments.
  • Engaging audiobook format for easy listening.
  • Timeless wisdom applicable to modern challenges.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $3.67
5

Sun Tzu's Art of War [Paperback Edition]

  • Classic text on strategy and warfare.
  • Unique chapter arrangement for deeper understanding.
  • Approved edition by Holden-Crowther Organisation.
  • Essential reading for military leaders and strategists.
  • Timeless wisdom applicable in modern contexts.
  • Enhances critical thinking and decision-making skills.
  • A must-have for history and philosophy enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.99
6

The Burning of Moscow: Napoleon's 1812 Trail by Fire

  • Comprehensive account of Moscow's fiery destruction.
  • Explores Russian motives behind the city’s blaze.
  • Details Napoleon's pivotal thirty-five days in Moscow.
  • Utilizes extensive memoirs and archival materials.
  • Examines military operations around Moscow's ruins.
  • Presented in an engaging, accessible writing style.
  • A must-read for Napoleonic Wars enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.99
7

Dispatches: A Journey Through Conflict

  • Authentic portrayal of Vietnam War experiences.
  • Acclaimed by The New York Times Book Review.
  • Unforgettable imagery and vivid storytelling.
  • Combines poetry with harsh realities of combat.
  • Compelling insights into war's chaos and fervor.
  • Blistering and compassionate narrative style.
  • A must-read for war literature enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.78
8

Stars Between Sun and Moon: North Korea Escape

  • Extraordinary memoir of survival and resilience.
  • Lucia Jang's life in rural North Korea.
  • Overcame abuse and family betrayal.
  • Escaped North Korea during the 1990s famine.
  • Smuggled to freedom with her newborn.
  • A rare voice from North Korean women.
  • Highlights struggles and triumphs of oppression.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $1.99
9

Cyrus the Great: Makers of History

  • Explore Cyrus the Great's influential reign.
  • Learn about Persian history and culture.
  • Engaging narrative for history enthusiasts.
  • Insightful lessons on leadership and legacy.
  • Accessible format for on-the-go listening.
  • Perfect for fans of historical biographies.
  • Experience a timeless story of greatness.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.46
10

Stalin's War: A Comprehensive History of WWII (Hardcover)

  • Reevaluates Stalin's pivotal role in World War II.
  • Utilizes extensive Soviet and US archival research.
  • Challenges traditional views of Hitler's significance.
  • Highlights Stalin's strategic ambitions during the war.
  • Examines American support for the Soviet war effort.
  • Explores the global impact of Soviet communism.
  • Essential reading for understanding modern geopolitics.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $30.70
11

On Tyranny: Expanded Audio Edition with New Lessons

  • Expanded audiobook with eight hours of new content.
  • Includes updated lessons from Russia's war on Ukraine.
  • Original essay collection read by Timothy Snyder.
  • Explores historical context of democracy threats.
  • Clarifies causes of the Russian invasion.
  • Links past events to present democratic challenges.
  • Offers a roadmap for preserving freedoms.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.81
12

Genghis Khan: Architect of the Modern World

  • Explores Genghis Khan's impact on modern civilization.
  • Reveals Mongol Empire's unprecedented cultural exchanges.
  • Highlights abolition of torture and religious freedom.
  • Discusses the rise of trade and communication.
  • Offers a revisionist perspective on history.
  • Examines the collapse of feudal systems.
  • Accompanying PDF available with Audible purchase.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $26.21
13

Red Scare: Blacklists and McCarthyism in America

  • Comprehensive history of McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
  • Based on newly declassified historical sources.
  • Explores political hysteria after World War II.
  • Highlights impact on thousands of lives.
  • Features prominent figures like Eisenhower and Nixon.
  • Connects past events to contemporary political issues.
  • Urgent and accessible narrative by Clay Risen.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $24.41
14

Bells of Nagasaki by Takashi Nagai

  • Historical account of Nagasaki's atomic bombing.
  • Written by survivor Dr. Takashi Nagai.
  • Explores human resilience amidst catastrophic destruction.
  • Documents the efforts of dedicated medical staff.
  • Highlights compassion amid overwhelming despair.
  • A must-read for understanding human kindness.
  • Illuminates the darkest and brightest human moments.
  • Price Range: $30.59
15

A Song for Nagasaki: Takashi Nagai's Journey

  • Biography of Takashi Nagai, atomic bomb survivor.
  • Explores his journey from Shintoism to Catholicism.
  • Highlights his pioneering work in radiology.
  • Details his efforts to heal war-weary victims.
  • Describes his powerful writings on love and forgiveness.
  • Reveals the impact of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
  • Considers Nagai a revered figure in Japan.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.35
16

One Square Mile of Hell: Tarawa Battle

  • True account of the Battle of Tarawa.
  • Epic World War II clash between U.S. Marines and Japanese.
  • Fought on the Pacific island of Betio.
  • Brutal three-day struggle for every inch of sand.
  • Drawn from letters, diaries, and survivor interviews.
  • Highlights the valor of American and Japanese forces.
  • A gripping narrative of determination and sacrifice.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.72
17

SOG Vietnam Medic Stories eBook

  • Authentic Vietnam War medic stories from Special Forces.
  • Unique insights into covert SOG operations.
  • Written by veteran Special Forces medic Joe Parnar.
  • Details life-saving missions in dangerous environments.
  • Highlights commitment and bravery of SOG medics.
  • Authentic accounts of heroism and tragedy.
  • Documents service and valor of a generation.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.99
18

Plan Red: China's Strategy to Undermine America

  • China's plan targets America from within and outside.
  • Xi Jinping aims to reshape global power dynamics.
  • China's military buildup poses a significant threat.
  • Communist Party seeks to eliminate American influence.
  • Engagement policies have failed to change China.
  • China's actions endanger American lives and security.
  • America must prepare for potential conflict with China.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.91
19

Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets (Paperback)

  • A symphonic oral history of Soviet disintegration.
  • Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
  • Features voices of ordinary Russians and their experiences.
  • Explores life during and after the Soviet Union.
  • Documents a powerful historical moment in Russia.
  • A top book recommended by major publications.
  • Captivating narratives of hope and resilience.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.99
20

Last Witnesses: Children’s Oral History of WWII (Audiobook)

  • Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich's powerful narrative.
  • Collection of children's memories during World War II.
  • Uncovers hidden histories often overlooked in official narratives.
  • Translated by acclaimed duo Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.
  • Explores trauma's lasting impact on a generation.
  • Illustrates the human side of war through personal stories.
  • Named one of the Best Books of the Year.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.75
21

"Voice for the Voiceless: Decades of Struggle (Paperback)"

  • Personal reflections from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
  • Seventy-five years of struggle for Tibetan freedom.
  • Insights on geopolitics affecting Tibet and its people.
  • Overcoming profound losses and challenges in exile.
  • Testimony from a global icon of hope.
  • Preserving Tibetan culture, language, and religion.
  • A powerful call for dignity and freedom.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $22.40
22

Mahjong: Global House Rules Guide [1 Edition]

  • Step-by-step guide for new and seasoned players.
  • Explore diverse mahjong styles across cultures.
  • Vibrant photography enhances the learning experience.
  • Detailed diagrams simplify gameplay understanding.
  • Includes family stories and cultural context.
  • Bonus essay on Crazy Rich Asians mahjong scene.
  • Encourages creativity with house rules and snacks.
  • Price Range: $25.00
23

Road to Surrender: Final Countdown of WWII and Three Men

  • Riveting account of nuclear weapon decision-making.
  • Focuses on three key historical figures.
  • Explores America's atomic bomb deployment rationale.
  • Dramatic insights into Japan's surrender negotiations.
  • Impeccably researched with new diary access.
  • Highlights the moral dilemmas faced by leaders.
  • Engaging narrative from bestselling author Evan Thomas.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.75
24

Some People Need Killing: A Memoir of Murder

  • TIME’s #1 Nonfiction Book of the Year
  • New York Times Book Review Top 10 Best Book
  • Searing account of Duterte’s war on drugs
  • Documented killings by police and vigilantes
  • Explores the psychology of violence and terror
  • Winner of prestigious literary awards
  • Brilliant dissection of human impulses to dominate
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $2.99
25

Be More Japan DK Eyewitness Guide

  • Explore Japan's rich culture and traditions.
  • Plan your perfect trip with useful insights.
  • Learn about tea ceremonies and calligraphy.
  • Discover art, music, and food of Japan.
  • Find tips to enjoy Japanese culture globally.
  • Unlock secrets of modern Japanese living.
  • Get inspired for your future Japan trip.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $1.99
26

The Gulag Archipelago: Literary Investigation

  • Nobel Prize-winning author Alexander Solzhenitsyn's masterpiece.
  • Explores four decades of Soviet terror and oppression.
  • Abridged volume authorized by the author himself.
  • New foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winner Anne Applebaum.
  • Features firsthand accounts of over 200 fellow prisoners.
  • Powerful indictment of political repression and brutality.
  • Revolutionized understanding of totalitarian regimes globally.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $33.85
27

The Gulag Archipelago, Vol. 1

  • Powerful indictment of Soviet political repression.
  • Chilling account of personal experiences in Gulag.
  • Explores vast bureaucracy of secret police.
  • New foreword by Pulitzer Prize winner Anne Applebaum.
  • Considered the best nonfiction book of the century.
  • Influential on political and moral consciousness.
  • A monumental literary investigation and narrative.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.99
28

The Bells of Nagasaki: Takashi Nagai

  • Expanded chapters deepen insights into Takashi Nagai.
  • New applications connect lessons to everyday life.
  • Simplified language for engaging, easy reading.
  • Upgraded design for a smoother experience.
  • True story of courage and faith.
  • Explores WWII from a Japanese Christian perspective.
  • Messages of healing, hope, and reconciliation.
  • Price Range: $6.99
29

Musashi's Book of Five Rings: Definitive Guide

  • Classic interpretation of Musashi's teachings.
  • Essential for martial artists and strategists.
  • Combines warrior instincts with Zen philosophies.
  • Divided into five insightful sections.
  • Translates Musashi's wisdom without bias.
  • Focuses on mastering the martial way.
  • Perfect for understanding the art of bushido.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.16
30

Genghis Khan: Architect of the Modern World

  • Explores Genghis Khan's influence on the modern world.
  • Reveals the rise of a vast Mongol Empire.
  • Highlights cultural communication and trade advancements.
  • Describes Genghis Khan's progressive policies and reforms.
  • Challenges traditional historical narratives about his legacy.
  • Examines the impact on global civilization development.
  • A compelling read for history enthusiasts and scholars.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.49