Joshua Kurlantzick At the beginning of the twenty-first century, China is poised to become a major global power. And though much has been written of China’s rise, a crucial aspect...

Muriel Barbery  France's greatest food critic is dying, after a lifetime in single-minded pursuit of sensual delights. But as Pierre Arthens lies on his death bed, he is tormented by...

Nicki Blumenau Block and Jeff Lomey Ryder’s future dreams are by now entirely obliterated. He grips the wheel of the high-tech car, destination unknown, on his journey searching for new...

Ciji Ware "Blindly, she inched along a floor pitching as violently as the deck of a boat in a midwinter storm. Her hands touched the threshold opening onto the ninth...

Gil Gordon Having Trouble Finding the Off Switch on Your Laptop?E-mail, cell phones, laptops, personal digital assistants ... they were supposed to liberate us from the workplace, but instead mobile...

Randa Abdel-Fattah High school is tough enough without throwing a hijab into the mix... What's my class going to say on Monday when I walk in wearing a muslim veil...

Brian Lamb American history is shaped by great and small events, and in recent years a generation of writers has brought these events to life. They have shared these stories...

Michael Panckridge The story of an invisible tribe - hidden deep in the Brazilian rainforest.The story of the Light Society - which has vowed to rid the world of evil.The...

Bill Strickland Lance Armstrong is a worldwide icon, indisputably one of the greatest cyclists who has ever lived. After battling cancer and becoming an inspiration to millions, Armstrong won the...

Ruth Rendell The New Girl Friend was published in 1985, and the title story earned Rendell her second Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe award. 'Every tale is carefully...

Cappy Capossela and Sheila Warnock Whether you're prepared or not, chances are you'll take on the role of caregiver when a family member or friend is affected by a serious...

Patricia Highsmith Penguin Readers are simplified texts designed in association with Longman, the world famous educational publisher, to provide a step-by-step approach to the joys of reading for pleasure. Each...