non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

Even though 2020 has been a strange year, we’re infinitely grateful for the many new and interesting books that keep releasing each month. This August brings us a diverse number of non-fiction books by Indian authors ranging from the heroic stories of the APDP in Kashmir to a detailed (and simplified) explanation of the CAA that will definitely answer all the questions in our minds. There’s also an exposé on the mysterious death of ex-PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, as well as a book on how to uncover white-collar crimes. If this wasn’t enough, we also have a book on the working of India’s elusive intelligence agency, RAW. Suffice to say, August is going to be a busy month for both readers and their wallets.  

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

01

Resisting Disappearance: Military Occupation And Women’s Activism In Kashmir

Ather Zia

The recurring disappearance of Kashmiri men led to the formation of the Association of the Parents of the Disappeared Persons (APDP) by activist women who wanted information about their missing husbands, brothers or children. Shedding the rituals of mourning in private, these women have taken it upon themselves to question the government, and to rise up against a system that would rather have them silenced. Ather Zia’s book is based on over 10 years of engagement with these activists and shows us a force of resilience that’s been quietly revolutionising the Kashmiri conflict for decades. 

Releasing on August 01, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

02

RAW: A History Of India’s Covert Operations

Yatish Yadav

While we know that the Research and Analysis Wing of India, or RAW, is an elite intelligence agency, very little is known about how it functions. Formed in response to India’s intelligence failure during the Indo-China war, this agency has proved to be efficient in foiling the plans of many enemies. Though RAW has carried out missions in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, countered the ISI’s plans, and had a huge role to play in the creation of Bangladesh, we only know the fictional tales of RAW and its agents. Here, investigative author Yatish Yadav follows the brave agents of RAW and attempts to uncover the reality of the organisation that has resided in the shadows for decades.

Releasing on August 03, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

03

Bland Fanatics: Liberals, Race And Empire

Pankaj Mishra

Years of violence and brutality has made the world increasingly paranoid, with people overtly suspicious of Muslims, or believing in atavism. Even the intellectual crowd is not left untouched in this world, and Pankaj Mishra aims to capture the rise of this hysteria by using the examples of writers like Salman Rushdie, Jordan Peterson, and others. Bland Fanatics tackles colonialism, human rights and the liberalisation movement to provide a unique perspective on how to look at the world.  

Releasing on August 10, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

04

The Citizenship Debate: CAA & NRC

Amit Malviya & Salman Khurshid

The Indian government passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in December 2019. Engulfed in violent protests and heated debates, the CAA took the country by storm and divided the nation into two sections – those for and against the CAA. But do all of us really understand the act and its implications? Or, are we, irrespective of which side we support, just following the voice of the masses without understanding it? If that is the case, then The Citizenship Debate is a great book to read since it simplifies the act, its implications and its relation to the NRC.

Releasing on August 10, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

05

Making India Great: The Promise Of A Reluctant Global Power

Aparna Pande

India is ambitious in its plan to become a global superpower. However, an enormous population and a rich history cannot be the pillars this dream stands upon. What we need is a change in our attitudes to the problems we are currently facing. Aparna Pande tries to nip this problem in the bud, by looking at India’s challenges, and examining the actions that need to be taken to achieve this dream as soon as possible. This book is a great guide for those interested in seeing how India can finally become the superpower it deserves to be.

Releasing on August 13, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

06

You Just Got Cheated: Understanding White-Collar Crime

Sibichen K. Mathew

In You Just Got Cheated, Sibichen K. Mathew, a certified fraud examiner and a Commissioner of Income Tax in the Indian Revenue Service, raises awareness about a pertinent issue – white-collar crimes. His book talks about the various types of white-collar crimes, and how these criminals join hands with corporates and public servants to commit these acts. He also tries to educate us on the ways to sense the pattern of these crimes within our companies, how to prevent them, and what actions can be taken to uproot this monstrous act. Reliable and incredibly informative, this book should be read at least once to understand the underbelly of the white-collar crime industry.  

Releasing on August 15, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

07

We The People: Establishing Rights And Deepening Democracy

Nikhil Dey, Aruna Roy & Rakshita Swamy (Eds.)

The continuously shifting state policies have had a huge impact on the democratic rights of Indian citizens. Most people remain unaware of their rights, and this, in turn, fuels ignorance and dirty politics. We The People is a compilation of essays written by academics and activists and explores universal human rights, and how they are reflected in the Constitution. The book also takes it a step further to provide solutions to protect these rights amidst changing state policies. If you’re one of those people who is intrigued by constitutional rights and their rightful usage, then this is the book for you.  

Releasing on August 17, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

08

The Victory Project: Six Steps To Peak Potential

Saurabh Mukherjea & Anupam Gupta

Though India’s economy has progressed substantially, the generation responsible for this progress is forced to deal with stress and depression. To add on to this, the new generation that has now joined the workforce is also dealing with stress due to the ever-increasing competition. How will they be able to deal with it, and achieve peace in life? Based on stories from highly successful people and global gurus, this book aims to provide us with solutions to maintain a healthy work-home life balance.

Releasing on August 17, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

09

Who Killed Shastri?: The Tashkent Files

Vivek Agnihotri

After defeating the Pakistani army in an armed conflict, Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri arrived in Tashkent to sign a peace treaty. Shastri passed away a few hours after the treaty was signed due to a sudden heart attack. What is curious is that a post-mortem wasn’t carried post his death, nor was the incident inquired into. What really happened? Was Shastri poisoned, and if so, by whom? Vivek Agnihotri attempts to uncover the secrets behind the mysterious circumstances surrounding Shastri’s death in this electrifying book.

Releasing on August 28, 2020. Buy it here.

non-fiction by Indian authors august 2020

10

What We Carry: A Memoir

Maya Shanbhag Lang

Maya Shanbhag’s mother was a physician who handled her life and career expertly and was an endless source of inspiration to her daughter. However, things changed when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and she began to divulge long lost secrets. As a result, Maya is forced to re-examine her relationship with her mother to see if it can stand the test of time. Incredibly moving and raw, this memoir portrays the mother-daughter relationship in its purest form.  

Releasing on August 31, 2020. Buy it here.

Disclaimer: Some of these books were previously available on Kindle or as international editions which were available for import. This list features Indian editions of these books, which tend to be more affordable. The information featured here is accurate as of July 31, 2020.