Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko's journey from the Maidan protests to becoming a leader in the Ukrainian army highlights the evolving role of women in combat and the complex sentiments within wartime Ukraine. Her story, as recounted by Lara Marlowe, reveals the challenges of sexism, the disconnect between soldiers and civilians, and the mixed perceptions of leadership under Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The book underscores Ukraine's commitment to diverse viewpoints, contrasting with Russia's approach, and reflects on the country's military resilience since the 2014 invasion.

Michael Sheridan's book offers a critical examination of Xi Jinping's rise to power, portraying him as a Machiavellian leader shaped by his family's experiences during the Cultural Revolution. The narrative highlights Xi's cultivation of a personality cult and his assertive international stance, while critiquing his governance failures, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Xi's position remains strong, though the Communist Party may intervene if his mismanagement persists.

Nabila Ramdani's book argues that the military coup in Algiers in 1958, rather than the 1968 student protests, is the root of many of France's current issues. She suggests abolishing the Fifth Republic and reinstating a parliamentary democracy to address these problems. The book critiques the far-right's exploitation of electoral blocs and the militarization of French society, while also proposing economic reforms. Despite some oversimplifications, Ramdani's analysis of France's social malaise, particularly the lingering effects of the Algerian war, is compelling.

The article reviews 'Massacre in the Clouds' by Kim A Wagner, which examines the 1906 massacre of Moro Muslims by US forces in the Philippines. The book critiques US imperialism, highlighting the role of Major General Leonard Wood and the racial supremacism underlying the US colonial project. Wagner's research is praised for its depth, though the book's detailed recounting of the Bud Dajo siege is seen as excessive. The work aims to reintroduce this forgotten chapter of history into mainstream discourse, with Wagner's visit to the massacre site in 2022 providing a poignant conclusion.

Raja Shehadah's book critiques the ongoing Israeli occupation and the failure of peace accords, while Beverley Milton-Edwards and Stephen Farrell's updated study of Hamas examines its resilience and legitimacy among Palestinians. Michael A Horowitz discusses the impact of the Abraham Accords and the ideological divide within Israel and Palestine. Hadley Freeman's polemic addresses anti-Semitism on the radical left, particularly in the context of the October 7th attacks. The articles collectively explore the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the role of Hamas, and the internal and external challenges facing Israel.

Carrie Sun's memoir, Private Equity, recounts her experience working as a personal assistant at a Manhattan hedge fund, highlighting the familiar theme of corporate burnout. The book, anonymizing the hedge fund as Carbon and its founder as Boone, fails to offer new insights or drama, often coming across as pedestrian. The narrative gains some tension when discussing Sun's college trauma and relationship with her Chinese parents, but overall, it is seen as stretched too thin and lacking in substantial content.

Tobias Buck's book delves into what might be the last trial of a Nazi functionary, focusing on Bruno Dey's conviction for accessory to murder at Stutthof Concentration Camp. The prosecution's strategy marked a shift from relying on survivor testimonies to implicating all personnel at extermination camps. Buck, a lawyer and managing editor at the Financial Times, expands the narrative to include other Holocaust trials and his own family's Nazi history. The book also critiques Germany's delayed denazification efforts and its Holocaust memory culture, which has faced recent criticism for stifling pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam commented on the inability of the city to endure further chaos, marking the first anniversary of the large-scale protests against her government. The protests began on June 9, 2019, over an extradition bill and continued even after its withdrawal, with violent episodes and university occupations. Opposition is expected against the new National Security Law passed by Beijing, which activists fear will suppress dissent. The Covid-19 pandemic has slowed the protest momentum, with recent police crackdowns on unauthorized protests. Social distancing rules further hinder legal protests. Despite this, small gatherings have occurred, such as the anniversary and Tiananmen Square vigil. An informal referendum is planned for June 14, as some residents remain willing to protest.

Suzanne Smith's book 'The Altar Boys' delves into the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church in the New South Wales diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, drawing parallels with similar scandals in Ireland. The narrative focuses on three altar boys, including Glen Walsh and Steven Alward, who were victims of abuse and later took their own lives. The book highlights the church's long-standing cover-up, the failure to report abusers, and the lack of contrition from the church and abusers. It also acknowledges the role of the Newcastle Herald, particularly reporter Joanne McCarthy, in exposing the abuse. The church's continued defensiveness, especially after Cardinal George Pell's acquittal, raises questions about its willingness to introspect and reform.

The article reviews Ai Weiwei's memoir, '1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows', which details both his life and that of his father, Ai Qing, a renowned poet. Ai Weiwei's indifference to his father's suffering during the Cultural Revolution is portrayed as a point of reflection and atonement in the memoir. The book also covers Ai Weiwei's own experiences with the Chinese government, including his detention and house arrest, and his eventual move to Portugal. Ai Weiwei's continued activism and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are highlighted, as well as his resistance to aligning with the political right in the West, despite the pressures faced by many exiled Chinese critics. The memoir is praised for its quality of writing and the translation by Allan H Barr.