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War

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First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers - Thryft
Loung Ung

First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

from $8.09

This book is a gripping and harrowing memoir that takes you on a journey through the terrifying experiences of a young girl during the Cambodian genocide. Loung Ung's story is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and courage in the face of unimaginable brutality. If you are looking for a deeply moving and inspiring read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, this book is for you.

from $8.09

Out of stock

The Pacific - Thryft
Hugh Ambrose

The Pacific

$3.88 from $2.72 Save up to 30%

This book offers a vivid portrayal of the brave soldiers and pilots who fought in the Pacific theater during WWII. Through personal stories, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made during this historic time. The intertwined odysseys of the characters make for a compelling read that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

$3.88 from $2.72 Save up to 30%

Out of stock

The Anarchy : The Relentless Rise of the East India Company - Thryft
William Dalrymple

The Anarchy : The Relentless Rise of the East India Company

$20.91 from $14.64 Save up to 30%

"The Anarchy" by William Dalrymple is an exceptionally well-researched book that offers a detailed and compelling account of how the East India Company rose to power in India. Dalrymple's narration is captivating, and readers are guaranteed to learn a great deal about India's history. It is an excellent read for people who enjoy non-fiction literature, history, and politics.

$20.91 from $14.64 Save up to 30%

Out of stock

Matterhorn - Thryft
Karl Marlantes

Matterhorn

from $4.80

A big, powerful saga of men in combat, written over the course of thirty-five years by a highly decorated Vietnam veteran.Intense, powerful, and compelling, Matterhorn is an epic war novel in the tradition of Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead and James Jones's The Thin Red Line. It is the timeless story of a young Marine lieutenant, Waino Mellas, and his comrades in Bravo Company, who are dropped into the mountain jungle of Vietnam as boys and forced to fight their way into manhood. Standing in their way are not merely the North Vietnamese but also monsoon rain and mud, leeches and tigers, disease and malnutrition. Almost as daunting, it turns out, are the obstacles they discover between each other: racial tension, competing ambitions, and duplicitous superior officers. But when the company finds itself surrounded and outnumbered by a massive enemy regiment, the Marines are thrust into the raw and all-consuming terror of combat. The experience will change them forever.Written over the course of thirty years by a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, Matterhorn is a visceral and spellbinding novel about what it is like to be a young man at war. It is an unforgettable novel that transforms the tragedy of Vietnam into a powerful and universal story of courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice: a parable not only of the war in Vietnam but of all war, and a testament to the redemptive power of literature.A graduate of Yale University and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Karl Marlantes served as a Marine in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals for valor, two Purple Hearts, and ten air medals. This is his first novel. He lives in rural Washington State.

from $4.80

Out of stock

Myanmar's Enemy Within - Buddhist Violence And The Making Of A Muslim 'Other' - Thryft
Francis Wade

Myanmar's Enemy Within - Buddhist Violence And The Making Of A Muslim 'Other'

from $3.88

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics that underlie Myanmar's recent history of sectarian violence. Wade's deeply reported account provides a compelling analysis of how a ruling elite's manipulation of identities has laid the groundwork for mass violence, and how pro-democracy activists have turned on Myanmar's Muslim population at a time when the country is experiencing newfound freedoms. Through powerful storytelling, this book illuminates the challenges that Myanmar must overcome to build a more inclusive and peaceful society.

from $3.88

Out of stock

The Sympathizer : A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction) - Thryft
Viet Thanh Nguyen

The Sympathizer : A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

from $8.49

This book could be a good read for someone who enjoys suspenseful spy novels with a unique twist. The Sympathizer stands out because it navigates the complexities of identity and captures the aftermath of the Vietnam War in a truly gripping way. Readers will be drawn in by the protagonist's dual identity and torn loyalties, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

from $8.49

Out of stock

The Three Kingdoms. Luo Guanzhong - Thryft
Shirley Chiang, Luo Guanzhong, Christine Sun

The Three Kingdoms. Luo Guanzhong

from $5.90

This book could be a good read for you if you are captivated by epic historical sagas filled with war, betrayal, and honor. The Three Kingdoms takes you on a thrilling journey through the turbulent era of ancient China, where cunning strategists, charismatic leaders, and loyal warriors vie for power. It will immerse you in a world of epic battles, elaborate strategies, and intense emotions, teaching you the timeless lessons of history along the way. Get ready to be swept away by this saga of intrigue, valor, and brotherhood.

from $5.90

Out of stock

The Collaborator - Thryft
Mirza Waheed

The Collaborator

from $5.89

Four teenagers disappear from their calm lives of playing cricket and singing Bollywood songs by the riverside and find themselves on the opposite side of the border, in Pakistan. There, they become a part of the movement against the Indian army, disillusioned with the Indian Army s attempts to secure peace. The harsh reality of war and the toll it takes on the people drive them to join the separatist movement, to find a better peace for the valley. Truly evocative and artistic in its ability to stir readers emotions, this is a coming-of-age story rooted in the stark insensitivity of humanity s desire for war and conflict.

from $5.89

Out of stock

The Gift of Rain - Thryft
Tan Twan Eng

The Gift of Rain

from $7.72

Penang, 1939. Sixteen-year-old Philip Hutton is a loner. Half English, half Chinese and feeling neither, he discovers a sense of belonging in an unexpected friendship with Hayato Endo, a Japanese diplomat. Philip shows his new friend around his adored island of Penang, and in return Endo trains him in the art and discipline of aikido. But such knowledge comes at a terrible price. The enigmatic Endo is bound by disciplines of his own and when the Japanese invade Malaya, threatening to destroy Philip's family and everything he loves, he realises that his trusted sensei - to whom he owes absolute loyalty - has been harbouring a devastating secret.Philip must risk everything in an attempt to save those he has placed in mortal danger and discover who and what he really is. With masterful and gorgeous narrative, replete with exotic and captivating images, sounds and aromas - of rain swept beaches, magical mountain temples, pungent spice warehouses, opulent colonial ballrooms and fetid and forbidding rainforests - Tan Twan Eng weaves a haunting and unforgettable story of betrayal, barbaric cruelty, steadfast courage and enduring love.

from $7.72

Out of stock

The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot : Escaping Tyranny in North Korea - Thryft
Blaine Harden

The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot : Escaping Tyranny in North Korea

from $8.91

A non-fiction thriller by international bestselling author Blaine Harden (Escape from Camp 14) that explores the world's most repressive state through the intertwined lives of two North Koreans, one infamous, one obscure: Kim Il Sung, the former North Korean leader and No Kum Sok, once the state's youngest jet fighter pilot. Shortly before the Korean War ended, No Kum Sok met Kim Il Sung, who congratulated him for his flying skill and his courage. A few months later, No Kum Sok stole a Soviet-made MiG-15 and flew it to a US airfield in South Korea. Beginning with the arbitrary division of Korea in 1945 and ending two months after the shaky armistice that halted combat in the Korean War, The Great Leader & the Fighter Pilot is an ambitious and gripping book which digs deeply into the character of the Kim family dictatorship. At once an irresistible adventure story and an authoritative guide to the notorious state, it explains why North Korea remains so isolated, why it created and maintains a vast gulag of concentration camps, and why it is still so angry at the western world.

from $8.91

Out of stock

A God in Every Stone : Shortlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2015 - Thryft
Kamila Shamsie

A God in Every Stone : Shortlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2015

$4.07 from $2.44 Save up to 40%

In the summer of 1914 a young Englishwoman, Vivian Rose Spencer, joins an archaeological dig in Turkey, fulfilling a long-held dream. Working alongside Germans and Turks, she falls in love with archaeologist Tahsin Bey and joins him in his quest to find an ancient silver circlet. But the outbreak of war in Europe brings her idyllic summer to a sudden end, and her new friends become her nation's enemies.Thousands of miles away, twenty-year-old Pathan Qayyum Gul is learning about brotherhood and loyalty in the British Indian army. When he loses an eye in battle and is sent to England to recuperate, his allegiances falter.Returning home at last, Qayyum shares a train carriage with Vivian Rose, whose continued search for the circlet has led her to Peshawar in the heart of the British Raj. Many years later, the two cross paths again, and their loyalties will be tested once more amidst massacres, cover-ups, and the disappearance of a young man they both love.

$4.07 from $2.44 Save up to 40%

Out of stock

Joss And Gold - Thryft
Shirley Geok-Lin Lim

Joss And Gold

$3.88 from $2.72 Save up to 30%

"Joss and Gold" is an excellent read for those interested in exploring the complexities of societal expectations and personal desire. Shirley Lim's lush portrayal of Li An's inner conflict, set against the backdrop of political turmoil in 1960s Kuala Lumpur, is both captivating and nuanced. The novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of gender roles, social mores, and the struggle to find one's true self.

$3.88 from $2.72 Save up to 30%

Out of stock

A Gesture Life - Thryft
Chang-rae Lee

A Gesture Life

from $6.86

A Gesture Life is a haunting, compelling exploration of the Japanese experience of the Second World War, and the fate of their 'comfort women'.

from $6.86

Out of stock

The Surrendered - Thryft
Chang-rae Lee

The Surrendered

from $11.90

June Han has forged a life thousands of miles from her birthplace: she has built a business in New York, survived a husband, borne a child. But her past holds more secrets than she has ever been able to tell, and 30 years after her escape from war-ravaged Korea, the time has come for her to confront them.

from $11.90

Out of stock

The Taliban Cricket Club - Thryft
Timeri N. Murari

The Taliban Cricket Club

from $10.08

Rukhsana is a spirited young journalist who works for the Kabul Daily in Afghanistan. She takes care of her ill, widowed mother and her younger brother, Jahan. But then Rukhsana is summoned to appear at the infamous Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, and their quiet and tenuous way of life is shattered.There, the malevolent minister, Zorak Wahidi, announces that the Taliban has found a new way to pursue the diplomatic respect it has long been denied: cricket. On the world stage of sports, the Taliban will prove they are a fair and just society. Rukhsana and several other journalists are to report that a tournament will be held to determine who will play for Afghanistan. Anyone can put together a team. Women are forbidden to play. The winners will travel to Pakistan to train, then go on to represent Afghanistan around the world.Rukhsana knows that this is a shameful, and deeply surreal, idea. The Taliban will never embrace a game rooted in civility, fairness, and equality, with no tolerance for violence or cheating. And no one in Afghanistan even knows how to play the game.Except for Rukhsana.This could be a way to get her cousins and her brother out of Afghanistan for good. But before she can organize a team, the terrifying Wahidi demands her hand in marriage. He finds her both exciting and infuriating, and wants to control her unruly, willful nature. The union would be her prison, stripping away what few freedoms she has left under Taliban rule and forcing her away from her family. Not marrying Wahidi, however, might mean her death. Her family rallies around her, willing to do anything to protect her, even if it means imprisonment or worse.But Rukhsana realizes that Wahidi may have given her a way out, too. With the help of her loyal, beloved brother and cousins, she forms her own cricket team and sets about teaching them how to win their freedom-with a bat and a ball. Inspired by the Taliban's actual and unprecedented promotion of cricket in 2000 in an attempt to gain acceptance in the global community, internationally bestselling author Murari weaves a riveting story of strength, hope, and soaring human triumph that proves no tyranny is ever absolute in the face of love. (front flap)

from $10.08

Out of stock

The Story of a Brief Marriage - Thryft
Anuk Arudpragasam

The Story of a Brief Marriage

$13.90 from $10.90 Save up to 24%

"The Story of a Brief Marriage" deeply immerses you in the raw reality of life during wartime. Its beauty lies in how it captures the fleeting moments of connection and humanity between two strangers thrust into an arranged marriage amidst chaos. The prose is meditative and nuanced, and it is impossible not to be moved by the characters' search for understanding in a world that seems to be falling apart around them. If you're drawn to novels that make you ponder the human condition, this book's quiet intensity and emotional depth will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

$13.90 from $10.90 Save up to 24%

Out of stock

Bone China - Thryft
Roma Tearne

Bone China

from $5.86

"Bone China" would be a good read for those interested in exploring the cultural clash between East and West. It offers an evocative portrayal of a Sri Lankan family's migration that makes readers reflect on the effects of violence and history on migration. The book's most unique feature is the way it interweaves the personal stories of each family member, from Thornton's dreams of becoming a poet to Meeka's struggles as a single parent.

from $5.86

Out of stock

Destined for War : can America and China escape Thucydides' Trap? - Thryft
Graham Allison

Destined for War : can America and China escape Thucydides' Trap?

from $8.42

Destined for War highlights the possibility of conflict between the US and China. This book is a great read for anyone interested in international politics and history. Graham Allison provides insights into Thucydides's Trap and offers suggestions for avoiding disastrous consequences. Readers will appreciate the uncanny parallels Allison draws between past and current events.

from $8.42

Out of stock

The Garden of Evening Mists - Thryft
Tan Twan Eng

The Garden of Evening Mists

from $7.35

"The Garden of Evening Mists" is a powerful exploration of memory, history, and personal healing. Through Yun Ling's search for a way to remember and honor her sister, the book transports readers to the stunning landscapes of Malaya during the aftermath of World War II and the Japanese Occupation. Eng's writing is evocative and sensual, and readers will be drawn into Yun Ling's story and her complex relationship with Aritomo, the enigmatic Japanese gardener who teaches her the art of creating a garden. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, complex characters, and stories of redemption.

from $7.35

Out of stock

Abraham's Promise - Thryft
Philip Jeyaretnam

Abraham's Promise

from $3.28

Abraham Isaac, teacher of Latin, philosopher and father, has, after many years, a young pupil. Teaching pulls him back into his memories: of Rose, his first love; Mercy, his stubborn sister; and most of all of Rani, his beloved wife. Of days of youth and promise, when he threw himself into the politics of Singapore in the 50s and 60s. Days when temperance and restraint gave way to action and desire. Days when the culture and society of Singapore were defined and molded. Days when he believed he had a valuable role to play as a proud citizen of a new country. Now he is old, and the burden of his years weighs on him heavily. Distanced from a present devoid of idealism and obsessed with power and money, Abraham is estranged from his strong, successful son. Descending into the past, Abraham is led from the promise of youth, through cynicism born of experience, to an understanding and reconciliation of his life and times hard-won in maturity. Prizewinning author Philip Jeyaretnam was declared Young Artist of the Year for 1993 by the Singapore National Arts Council. Abraham's Promise is his second novel.

from $3.28

Out of stock

First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers - Thryft
Loung Ung

First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

from $10.90

If you’re looking to be moved by a true story of resilience in the face of harrowing adversity, "First They Killed My Father" offers that poignant, emotional journey. Luong Ung's experience provides a personal window into the Cambodian genocide, a heartbreaking chapter of history. Her narrative captures the essence of human strength and the indomitable will to survive, creating an inspiring read that celebrates the spirit of courage amidst chaos.

from $10.90

Out of stock

The Rape of Nanking : The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II - Thryft
Iris Chang

The Rape of Nanking : The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II

from $5.56

In December 1937, the Japanese army swept into the ancient city of Nanking. Within weeks, more than 300,000 Chinese civilians were systematically raped, tortured, and murdered?a death toll exceeding that of the atomic blasts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Using extensive interviews with survivors and newly discovered documents, Iris Chang has written what will surely be the definitive history of this horrifying episode. The Rape of Nanking tells the story from three perspectives: of the Japanese soldiers who performed it, of the Chinese civilians who endured it, and of a group of Europeans and Americans who refused to abandon the city and were able to create a safety zone that saved almost 300,000 Chinese. Among these was the Nazi John Rabe, an unlikely hero whom Chang calls the "Oskar Schindler of China" and who worked tirelessly to protect the innocent and publicize the horror. More than just narrating the details of an orgy of violence, The Rape of Nanking analyzes the militaristic culture that fostered in the Japanese soldiers a total disregard for human life. Finally, it tells the appalling story: about how the advent of the Cold War led to a concerted effort on the part of the West and even the Chinese to stifle open discussion of this atrocity. Indeed, Chang characterizes this conspiracy of silence, that persists to this day, as "a second rape."

from $5.56

Out of stock

Burning Sapphires - Thryft
Suresh K. Goswami

Burning Sapphires

$8.23 from $5.76 Save up to 30%

Burning Sapphires could be a good read for someone interested in inspiring stories about leadership, resilience, and community building. The book takes you on a journey of a young girl who is thrusted into challenging situations, but emerges as a strong leader, taking charge of her community. Set in the beautiful village of Machail, Kashmir, the book offers a unique perspective of the region, and highlights the plight of millions of Kashmiri Muslims and refugees who are trapped in a terror-stricken valley. The book inspires readers to believe in themselves, trust their abilities, and work towards creating a life of contentment, dignity, and pride.

$8.23 from $5.76 Save up to 30%

Out of stock

How We Disappeared : LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2020 - Thryft
Jing-Jing Lee

How We Disappeared : LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2020

from $8.22

A beautiful, stunningly ambitious tale of endurance, identity, and memory, for fans of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko and Georgia Hunter's We Were the Lucky Ones.Singapore, 1942. As Japanese troops sweep down Malaysia and into Singapore, a village is ransacked. Only three survivors remain, one of them a tiny child.In a neighbouring village, seventeen-year-old Wang Di is bundled into the back of a troop carrier and shipped off to a Japanese military rape camp. In the year 2000, her mind is still haunted by her experiences there, but she has long been silent about her memories of that time. It takes twelve-year-old Kevin, and the mumbled confession he overhears from his ailing grandmother, to set in motion a journey into the unknown to discover the truth.Weaving together two timelines and two life-changing secrets, How We Disappeared is an evocative, profoundly moving and utterly dazzling novel heralding the arrival of a new literary star.

from $8.22

Out of stock

Bone China - Thryft
Roma Tearne

Bone China

$5.63 from $5.07 Save 10%

Bone China explores the struggles of an immigrant family who uprooted from war-torn Sri Lanka to London. It depicts the challenges of cultural clash and homesickness, as well as the pain of leaving behind a once-happy life. Meeka's character embodies the spirit of perseverance in the face of adversity, making this a must-read for those who enjoy emotional family dramas with relatable characters.

$5.63 from $5.07 Save 10%

Out of stock

The Railway Man (Vintage War) Exp - Thryft
Lomax Eric

The Railway Man (Vintage War) Exp

from $6.32

Recommendation: "The Railway Man" is a gripping tale of wartime suffering and the courage to face and ultimately overcome torment. Lomax's story of intense physical and emotional pain offers an unflinching look at the brutality of war, but also a glimmer of hope in the form of redemption, forgiveness, and healing. This book is a must-read for those interested in the impact of war on individuals and society alike.

from $6.32

Out of stock

The Anarchy : The Relentless Rise of the East India Company - Thryft
William Dalrymple

The Anarchy : The Relentless Rise of the East India Company

from $8.57

"The Anarchy" sheds light on the ruthless tactics of the East India Company, which exploited India's riches for corporate gain. The book is a cautionary tale that highlights the dangers of unchecked corporate power. It is a must-read for history buffs interested in the dark side of imperialism and colonialism.

from $8.57

Out of stock

Abraham's Promise - Thryft
Philip Jeyaretnam

Abraham's Promise

$8.90 from $7.90 Save 11%

If you've ever felt the pull of nostalgia or the weight of time, "Abraham's Promise" can speak to you. It's not just a voyage through Singapore's formative years; it's an intimate exploration of personal growth, loss, and redemption. Abraham Isaac's journey will resonate with anyone who's looked back on life's turning points with both fondness and regret. Engaging with history on a deeply human level, this story might just redefine how you view progress, be it personal or societal.

$8.90 from $7.90 Save 11%

Out of stock

The Garden of Evening Mists - Thryft
Tan Twan Eng

The Garden of Evening Mists

from $12.04

Malaya, 1949. After studying law at Cambrige and time spent helping to prosecute Japanese war criminals, Yun Ling Teoh seeks solace among the jungle fringed plantations of Northern Malaya where she grew up as a child.

from $12.04

Out of stock

Mao: The Unknown Story - Thryft
Jung Chang, Jon Halliday

Mao: The Unknown Story

from $8.76

Jung Chang's "Wild Swans" was an extraordinary bestseller throughout the world, selling more than 10 million copies and reaching a wider readership than any other book about China. Now she and her husband Jon Halliday have written a groundbreaking biography of Mao Tse-tung. Based on a decade of research, and on interviews with many of Mao's close circle in China who have never talked before - and with virtually everyone outside China who had significant dealings with him - this is the most authoritative life of Mao ever written. It is full of startling revelations, exploding the myth of the Long March, and showing a completely unknown he was not driven by idealism or ideology; his intimate and intricate relationship with Stalin went back to the 1920s, ultimately bringing him to power; he welcomed Japanese occupation of much of China; and he schemed, poisoned and blackmailed to get his way. After Mao conquered China in 1949, his secret goal was to dominate the world. In chasing this dream he caused the deaths of 38 million people in the greatest famine in history. Combining meticulous history with the story-telling style of "Wild Swans", this biography makes immediate Mao's roller-coaster life, as he intrigued and fought every step of the way to force through his unpopular decisions. The reader enters the shadowy chambers of Mao's court, and eavesdrops on the drama in its hidden recesses. Mao's character and the enormity of his behaviour towards his wives, mistresses and children are unveiled for the first time. This is an entirely fresh look at Mao in both content and approach. It will astonish historians and the general reader alike.

from $8.76

Out of stock

One Man's Justice - Thryft
Akira Yoshimura

One Man's Justice

from $6.98

Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been destroyed. Japan is in ruins and occupied by the Americans.Takuya, an ex-officer in the Imperial Army, has returned to his native village only to learn that the Occupation authorities are intensifying their efforts to apprehend suspected war criminals. And those who are found guilty are being sentenced to death.Fearing that his role in the execution of a number of American pilots, Takuya takes to the road and becomes a fugitive in his own country.One Man's Justice is both a reflection on the murky reality of war and a page-turning novel of pursuit and escape.

from $6.98

Out of stock

Trafalgar Sunrise - Thryft
Danielle Lim

Trafalgar Sunrise

from $7.37

This book would be a good read for someone who is looking for a powerful and emotionally charged story. Trafalgar Sunrise takes you on a journey through time, exploring themes of love, grief, and the indomitable spirit of the human soul. As you follow Grace Hwang's battle against the SARS virus and her quest to reunite a mother with her long-lost daughter, you'll be captivated by the depth of the characters and the intricate interweaving of past and present. Through elegant prose and vivid storytelling, this novel will immerse you in a world where choices have consequences, and where redemption can be found even in the darkest of times. It is a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection.

from $7.37

Out of stock

The Gift of Rain - Thryft
Tan Twan Eng

The Gift of Rain

from $5.12

A beautiful tale of self-discovery amidst war.

from $5.12

Out of stock

China Coast Trilogy: Chinese Box; Change of Flag; Shanghai - Thryft
Christopher New

China Coast Trilogy: Chinese Box; Change of Flag; Shanghai

from $5.90

Dive into the rich tapestry of China's history, witnessing its incredible transformation over three generations. Christopher New's China Coast Trilogy takes you on an unforgettable journey through Chinese Box, Change of Flag, and Shanghai. Immerse yourself in a captivating historical saga that brings to life the trials and triumphs of a changing nation. This trilogy is perfect for fans of sweeping historical epics and anyone fascinated by Chinese culture and history. Prepare to be enthralled by the enthralling characters and immersive storytelling that will transport you to another time and place.

from $5.90

Out of stock

Joseph Conrad: the Eastern Sto : The Eastern Sto - Thryft
Joseph Conrad

Joseph Conrad: the Eastern Sto : The Eastern Sto

from $4.69

This collection brings together Conrad's most representative stories from South-East Asia, set in Java, Borneo, Singapore and Sumatra. They portray life during a period of rapid colonial expansion when society was changing dramatically. The characters are captured in moments of confrontation, often tragic, between differing ways of life, as European culture comes into conflict with indigenous Malay traditions. Included " A Narrative", " A Memory", "The End of the Tether", "The Lagoon", "Because of the Dollars" and "The Secret Sharer".

from $4.69

Out of stock

A Good Scent From A Strange Mountain - Thryft
Robert Olen Butler

A Good Scent From A Strange Mountain

from $3.88

The Vietnam War continues to play itself out in fiction, autobiography, and history books, but no American author has captured the experiences of the Vietnamese themselves--and caught their voices--more tellingly than Robert Olen Butler, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain. The 15 stories collected here, all written in the first person, blend Vietnamese folklore, the terrible, lingering memories of war, American pop culture and family drama. Butler's literary ventriloquism, as he mines the experiences of a people with a great literary tradition of their own, is uncanny; but his talents as a writer of universal truths is what makes this a collection for the ages.

from $3.88

Out of stock

Masked Dolls - Thryft
Chiung-Yu Shih, Poppy Toland, Xinlin Wang

Masked Dolls

from $3.57

An Australian woman, burdened by the original sin of her Caucasian ancestors, and a Taiwanese woman, haunted by the memories of 100 years of conflict in her homeland, meet as backpackers while travelling in South Korea. As they live and travel together, two women in flight, one from the East and the other from the West, struggle to find a way out of their personal dilemmas. * * * Shortly after the dawn of the new millennium, Judy and Jiaying are thrown together in a youth hostel in Seoul, both having escaped long-term relationships. Their arrival in Seoul in the first year of the 21st century coincides with passionate anti-American demonstrations on the streets of the city, as South Koreans protest against US troops being stationed in their country, western hegemony and the manipulations of arms dealers. Anti-American sentiment spreads like wildfire. Judy’s parents hail from Britain and France, meet in Paris during a volatile period in French history – the student movement of 1968 – and later migrate to Australia to begin a new life. After her parents part, Judy abandons racial and cultural prejudice and, while studying in Tokyo, falls in love with Zhou, a Chinese student from Beijing. But this stormy relationship eventually culminates in violence and Judy, fleeing its demise, escapes to Seoul. Jiaying’s family are from war-torn China, which, in the 19th century had suffered invasion and colonisation by the British and French; in the 20th century had been occupied by the Japanese, under the pretext of liberating Asia from Western imperialists; and was then convulsed by a Communist revolution propped up by the Russians. Having both fought in and sought to escape the wars, Jiaying’s grandparents and parents eventually settle in Taiwan, carrying with them the scars of a century of conflict. Attempting to begin a new life on this island of exiles, they struggle to come to terms with the humiliation that generations of Chinese people had suffered. Jiaying, twelve years older than Judy, becomes her only confidante, as the younger woman pours out her frustrations. Judy still loves her Chinese boyfriend, but could never really understand him. In Judy’s painful struggle to come to terms with the past, Jiaying is reminded of her own history, from which she still seeks an escape. Nationalism that has wounded and distorted history time and again over the last hundred years; violence as a consequence of sexuality repressed by Confucianism … as Jiaying began her relationship with a European man, these things had begun to seep into her life. Judy’s story gives Jiaying a channel to sort out her own thoughts and gradually begin the healing process. And yet, even as the women forge new paths through the emotional jungle of their lives, violence once again shatters the potential for peace of mind. * * * " Masked Dolls is an unusual look at how the metaphorical shrinking of the world affects people at an individual level. It considers a number of consequences, particularly for the novel never fails to remind us that we live in a patriarchal society which will not tolerate interracial relationships. Masked Dolls is one of those rare books which after reading reveals itself to be greater than the sum of its parts. Brutal, intense, fascinating."--- The Writes of Woman .

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The Rape of Nanking : The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II - Thryft
Iris Chang

The Rape of Nanking : The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II

from $5.62

In December 1937, the Japanese army swept into the ancient city of Nanking. Within weeks, more than 300,000 Chinese civilians were systematically raped, tortured, and murdered?a death toll exceeding that of the atomic blasts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Using extensive interviews with survivors and newly discovered documents, Iris Chang has written what will surely be the definitive history of this horrifying episode. The Rape of Nanking tells the story from three perspectives: of the Japanese soldiers who performed it, of the Chinese civilians who endured it, and of a group of Europeans and Americans who refused to abandon the city and were able to create a safety zone that saved almost 300,000 Chinese. Among these was the Nazi John Rabe, an unlikely hero whom Chang calls the "Oskar Schindler of China" and who worked tirelessly to protect the innocent and publicize the horror. More than just narrating the details of an orgy of violence, The Rape of Nanking analyzes the militaristic culture that fostered in the Japanese soldiers a total disregard for human life. Finally, it tells the appalling story: about how the advent of the Cold War led to a concerted effort on the part of the West and even the Chinese to stifle open discussion of this atrocity. Indeed, Chang characterizes this conspiracy of silence, that persists to this day, as "a second rape."

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First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers - Thryft
Loung Ung

First They Killed My Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

from $9.81

From a childhood survivor of Cambodia's brutal Pol Pot regime comes anunforgettable narrative of war crimes and desperate actions, the unnervingstrength of a small girl and her family, and their triumph of spirit. Until the age of five, Lounge Ung lived in Phnom Penh, one of seven childrenof a high-ranking government official. She was a precocious child who lovedthe open city markets, fried crickets, chicken fights, and sassing herparents. While her beautiful mother worried that Loung was atroublemaker--that she stomped around like a thirsty cow--her beloved fatherknew Lounge was a clever girl. When Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into Phnom Penh in April 1975, Ung's family fled their home and moved from village to village to hide theiridentity, their education, their former life of privilege. Eventually, thefamily dispersed in order to survive. Because Lounge was resilient and determined, she was trained as a childsoldier in a work camp for orphans, while other siblings were sent to laborcamps. As the Vietnamese penetrated Cambodia, destroying the Khmer Rouge,Loung and her surviving siblings were slowly reunited.Bolstered by the shocking bravery of one brother, the vision of theothers--and sustained be her sister's gentle kindness amid brutality--Loungforged on to create for herself a courageous new life.

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Teochew Red Hokkien Green : A Story of Early Singapore - Thryft
Song Cheng Miang

Teochew Red Hokkien Green : A Story of Early Singapore

from $6.48

"Teochew Red Hokkien Green" is a historical fiction novel that takes readers to the early days of Singapore, where the mix of cultures and beliefs becomes the catalyst of the story. It paints a vivid picture of the life of three ambitious men from different backgrounds, who form an unbreakable bond through adversities and conflicts. The author weaves a gripping narrative of loyalty, trust and brotherhood, that is both entertaining and informative, and will definitely leave readers wanting more.

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The Three Kingdoms - Thryft
Luo Guanzhong

The Three Kingdoms

$49.90 from $5.90 Save up to 89%

If you're drawn to grand historical tapestries woven with intricate political maneuvers and philosophies, "The Three Kingdoms" is your match. It’s a deep dive into a turbulent era, where strategic alliances and battlefield heroics define the landscape. The condensed tales of camaraderie and cunning will transport you, making you feel like both an observer and a companion to legendary figures wrestling with destiny.

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How We Disappeared : Longlisted for the Women's Fiction Prize 2020 - Thryft
Jing-Jing Lee

How We Disappeared : Longlisted for the Women's Fiction Prize 2020

from $8.24

A beautiful, stunningly ambitious tale of endurance, identity, and memory, for fans of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko and Georgia Hunter's We Were the Lucky Ones.Singapore, 1942. As Japanese troops sweep down Malaysia and into Singapore, a village is ransacked. Only three survivors remain, one of them a tiny child.In a neighbouring village, seventeen-year-old Wang Di is bundled into the back of a troop carrier and shipped off to a Japanese military rape camp. In the year 2000, her mind is still haunted by her experiences there, but she has long been silent about her memories of that time. It takes twelve-year-old Kevin, and the mumbled confession he overhears from his ailing grandmother, to set in motion a journey into the unknown to discover the truth.Weaving together two timelines and two life-changing secrets, How We Disappeared is an evocative, profoundly moving and utterly dazzling novel heralding the arrival of a new literary star.

from $8.24

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Rangoon 1941 : A Novel Based on True Events - Thryft
S. Kella Samuels

Rangoon 1941 : A Novel Based on True Events

from $17.02

Recommended for those interested in lesser-known histories.

from $17.02

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Sembawang: A Novel - Thryft
Anitha Devi Pillai, Kamaladevi Aravindan

Sembawang: A Novel

$5.90 from $3.90 Save up to 43%

This book could be a good read for anyone interested in exploring the rich history and culture of Singapore. Through the lens of the Sembawang community, the author brilliantly captures the essence of resilience and transformation. The vivid descriptions and authentic characters make it an engaging and enlightening read, transporting the reader to a bygone era.

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The Railway Man - Thryft
Eric Lomax

The Railway Man

from $7.09

The Railway Man is a powerful memoir of Eric Lomax's experience as a prisoner of war in WWII, and his journey decades later to confront one of his captors. The book is recommended for those interested in stories of resilience and forgiveness after trauma.

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The Gendarme - Thryft
Mark Mustian

The Gendarme

from $5.07

Recommended for readers interested in exploring the complexities of memory and forgiveness, this book follows the journey of a World War I veteran who begins to remember his past actions as a gendarme marching Armenians out of Turkey. As he attempts to make amends with one woman he spared, readers will be struck by the powerful meditation on the effects of war on the individual psyche.

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The Garden of Evening Mists - Thryft
Tan Twan Eng

The Garden of Evening Mists

from $8.43

This book, "The Garden of Evening Mists," would be a good read for those who appreciate intricate storytelling and historical fiction. Set against the backdrop of war and memory, the book explores the depths of human emotions, love, and the power of art. With its beautifully described gardens and secrets waiting to be unveiled, this novel is a captivating journey of self-discovery and remembrance.

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The Man who Collected Women - Thryft
Nigel Barley

The Man who Collected Women

from $9.18

The eccentric Mr Hare – as he was known to Sophia, the first wife of Singapore founder Thomas Stamford Raffles – and his Asian harem are brought vividly to life in this work of historical fiction set in Southeast Asia. Arthur Grimsby is an ageing expat in 1960s Singapore. Museum curator, ornithologist, freshly bereaved, he fears Singapore's looming independence and his redundancy and tries to complete one final piece of the life story of an eccentric 19th-century Englishman called Alexander Hare. Hare was a trader and slave-owner in the East and a friend of Thomas Stamford Raffles, Lieutenant Governor of Java and the founder of Singapore, but Hare's chief claim to fame is as the creator of an Asian harem, including in his collection women from Java, Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, China, India and Africa. Hare's love of women and his assembling of a harem, initially in Borneo and then on an uninhabited atoll that would become the Cocos-Keeling Islands, made him an object of guilty male fantasies and of strident female resentments, the epitome of masculine, colonial exploitation. But Arthur Grimsby's paths are no straighter than Alexander Hare's and the two grow together as their destinies intertwine.

from $9.18

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When Heaven and Earth Changed Places : A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace - Thryft
Le Ly Hayslip, Jay Wurts

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places : A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace

from $6.52

“One of the most important books of Vietnamese American and Vietnam War literature...Moving, powerful.” —Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of  The SympathizerIn these pages, Le Ly Hayslip—just twelve years old when U.S. helicopters landed in her tiny village of Ky La—shows us the Vietnam War as she lived it. Initially pressed into service by the Vietcong, Le Ly was captured and imprisoned by government forces. She found sanctuary at last with an American contractor and ultimately fled to the United States. Almost twenty years after her escape, Le Ly found herself inexorably drawn back to the devastated country and loved ones she’d left behind, and returned to Vietnam in 1986. Scenes of this joyous reunion are interwoven with the brutal war years, creating an extraordinary portrait of the nation, then and now—and of one courageous woman who held fast to her faith in humanity. First published in 1989, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places was hailed as an instant classic. Now, some two decades later, this indispensable memoir continues to be one of our most important accounts of a conflict we must never forget.

from $6.52

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How We Disappeared : Longlisted for the Women's Fiction Prize 2020 - Thryft
Jing-Jing Lee

How We Disappeared : Longlisted for the Women's Fiction Prize 2020

from $7.84

A beautiful, stunningly ambitious tale of endurance, identity, and memory, for fans of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko and Georgia Hunter's We Were the Lucky Ones.Singapore, 1942. As Japanese troops sweep down Malaysia and into Singapore, a village is ransacked. Only three survivors remain, one of them a tiny child.In a neighbouring village, seventeen-year-old Wang Di is bundled into the back of a troop carrier and shipped off to a Japanese military rape camp. In the year 2000, her mind is still haunted by her experiences there, but she has long been silent about her memories of that time. It takes twelve-year-old Kevin, and the mumbled confession he overhears from his ailing grandmother, to set in motion a journey into the unknown to discover the truth.Weaving together two timelines and two life-changing secrets, How We Disappeared is an evocative, profoundly moving and utterly dazzling novel heralding the arrival of a new literary star.

from $7.84

Out of stock