Here a very subjective list of most interesting books on the East and the West that you can easily find today.

For Lust of Knowing: The Orientalists and their Enemies, by Prof. Robert Irwin: A story of Oriental studies

The Silk Roads, by Prof. Peter Frankopan, “a new history of the world”, like the subtitle says, beyond the usual Western-centric perspective. Read our interview with Prof. Frankopan here.

The East and the West, by East and West, various authors. Reports from a changing world. You can read more about the book here and buy it here.

The Russia Anxiety: And How History can resolve it, by Prof. Mark B. Smith. Read our interview with Prof. Smith here.

A history of Western Philosophy, by Bertrard Russell. A history of Western thought from Ancient Greece to Dewey.

The East in the West, Jack Goody. The author challenges the stereotypical Western views of Asia.

The Book of Tea, by Okakura Kakuzō. An exploration of a unique Japanese ritual in the light of the Taoist and Zen traditions. You can buy the book here.

The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us about the Good Life, by Prof. Michael Puett and Prof. Christine Gross-Loh PH.D

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond. Why did the West become so powerful?