Egypt never ceases to fascinate Egyptologists and laypersons alike. So, when the First Lady of Egypt Suzanne Mubarak conceived the idea of a book on the role of women in ancient Egypt and entrusted the director of the Giza pyramids, Zahi Hawass, with carrying on the research, it was a forgone conclusion that the result would be a fascinating product. It was, as Hawass admits, a daunting task since ancient Egyptian women are not as prominent in the records as they apparently are at first blush. As he delved deeper and deeper, the archaeologist thought he was discovering lesser and lesser, says Subir Ghosh.

Contemporary political theory today has become alienated from politics. It often neither discusses concrete political events nor touches the world of political action. Stephen Eric Bronner, a professor of political science and comparative literature at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, wants to break free from those shackles, and "Ideas in Action" takes a bold step in that direction. Bronner surveys twentieth century political traditions and places theories and thinkers in their social, historical, and political contexts, says Gene Evans.

It becomes difficult to grapple with feminist thought when one looks at the diverse nature of contributions made by feminist thinkers over the years. There are those of Black feminists, Third World feminists, lesbian feminists, not to speak of feminists with disabilities. It is this very diversity of feminist thought that is the key to the political energy that is derived from the various feminisms. It is also this diversity that Chris Corrin writes about in a book that transcends local, national and international barriers among feminists. Corrin's interest in politics stems from a concern for eradicating injustice. The book, hence, turns out to be the perfect background material for anyone interested in feminist political thought and activism, writes Christine McNeill.

Radical feminist mythical theories that little boys grow up to be different from little girls has nothing to do with their biological origins and is a fallout of their social conditioning are exploded in this tragic yet fascinating real-life tale that would have remained buried in the Sixties but for John Colapinto's efforts. The contention that a boy will feel like a girl if brought up like one, and a girl will feel like a boy if nurtured as one is blow to smithereens by Colapinto's book. Naturalists prevail over nurturists who believe that gender-specific behavioural patterns can be moulded, asserts Christine McNeill.

Peacekeeping does not help, perhaps it would be better for wars to meet their own catastrophic ends. That is the depressing message that emanates from the 400-odd pages of reportage and analysis by journalist William Shawcross. The Cold War ended, but what followed in the Nineties was a decade of regional and ethnic wars. Bloodbaths and massacres. All this is recounted in gory detail from the heart of the conflict zones by Shawcross. The conclusion is dismaying: "only the evil of war can resolve a political conflict and bring about peace", says James Warder.