New Delhi, March 23 -- In this oddly terrifying story, a jazz musician-turned-school teacher undertakes a mission to save an uninhabited Pacific Island from an invasive species of goats, only to discover far more serious threats lurking in this Edenic setting. Jonathan Miles' slim novel raises profound moral questions while being grounded in a spirit of bleak comedy.

Published by Hachette India, 176 pages, Rs.699

As large sections of the Islamic world remain under attack, this new history of the religion seeks to offer a comprehensive account of its evolution, from the 7th century AD to the contemporary times. Professor of History at Oxford University, James McDougall highlights the diversity within Islam while examining the repercussio...