Nexus
Yuval Noah Harari
Penguin Random House
Pp 528, Rs 1,099
Nexus delves into the rise of information networks and their profound impact on the world, tracing our journey from the power of stories to the dominance of algorithms and the promises—and risks—of AI. It’s a thrilling and timely exploration of the choices humanity must now make to shape a better future.
The Gym of Leadership
Anil K Khandelwal
Penguin Random House
Pp 288, Rs 699
In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, effective leadership requires both hard and soft skills. Anil Khandelwal’s innovative analogy presents 18 essential leadership skills—ranging from self-awareness to communication—through the lens of physical and mental fitness. This practical guide empowers aspiring leaders to cultivate agility, resilience, and collaboration with the same dedication and discipline needed for a workout.
Widows
Mineke Schipper
Speaking Tiger Books
Pp 288, Rs 499
Widows have always far outnumbered widowers (who quickly remarry, usually younger women). War, hunting and the uncertainties of long travel ensured that most husbands died before their wives did. Mineke Schipper’s cultural history of widows examines how these husband-less women have, throughout history and mythology, been portrayed as helpless damsels, easy pickings for men outside the family or clan, or as cunning witches who are suspected of murder.
An Eye for An Eye
Jeffrey Archer
HarperCollins
Pp 384, Rs 499
Globally bestselling author Jeffrey Archer is back with An Eye for an Eye, the next book in his ongoing William Warwick series. In An Eye for an Eye, Jeffrey Archer delivers another gripping thriller. The story unfolds in two dramatically different settings —the opulent world of a billion-dollar deal in a luxurious city and the tranquil Berkshire countryside where a dying Lord’s will sets off explosive consequences.
Chicanery
Timeri N Murari
Niyogi Books
Pp 424, Rs 695
After 20 years in exile David Richelieu returns to his homeland where an execution warrant awaits him. At the border, the AI cameras identify him as Cyomared, the ex-PM of that once democratic nation. His interrogator, the minister, has just one question, ‘Why did you return knowing you will die?’ Exploring the possible impact on identity, surveillance and control in a speculative fictional setting in the future, the novel prompts a reflection on the ethical implications of AI technology.