"The World Is What It Is" is a comprehensive biography of the Nobel Prize-winning author V.S. Naipaul. Written by Patrick French, the authorized biography delves into Naipaul's complex personal life, including his troubled relationships with family members and his multiple affairs. The book also explores Naipaul's writing career, from his early days as a struggling writer to his later success as a literary icon. French provides a nuanced portrait of Naipaul, highlighting both his brilliance as a writer and his flaws as a human being.

"The Vanishing Generation: Faith And Uprising In Modern Uzbekistan" explores the complex relationship between faith, politics, and social change in contemporary Uzbekistan. Through in-depth interviews and extensive research, the author delves into the lives of young Uzbeks who are navigating the challenges of religious identity, political repression, and the desire for societal transformation. This thought-provoking book sheds light on the struggles and aspirations of a generation caught between tradition and modernity in a rapidly changing society.