The Economist reads

Ukraine

What to read to understand Ukraine beyond the war

We recommend four books, and one album, which illuminate Ukrainian culture

The Big Apple

What to read to understand New York

Our New York reporter picks four books and a documentary as the essential guide to America’s greatest city

How cricket conquered the world

What to read to understand cricket

Our Washington bureau chief recommends five books on the game

Mexico

What to read to understand Mexico

Our bureau chief chooses eight books as an introduction to a rich and troubled country

Ending poverty

What to read to understand how countries escape the worst poverty

Five texts that help to explain when development works—and why it doesn’t

China’s secret histories

What to read to understand China’s hidden past

Six books to explain darker aspects of the country’s recent history

Immigration to America

What to read to understand why Americans both love and loathe immigrants

Seven books on the tense relationship between the native- and foreign-born

How wars are fought

What to read to understand modern warfare

Our defence editor picks five books that help make sense of how wars are fought today

German historical fiction

What to read and watch to understand Germany’s troubled 20th century

Our correspondent picks four novels and two films that help to explain the country’s dark history

The Tories

What to read to understand the Conservative Party

Our former Britain correspondent suggests seven books

Singapore

What to read to understand Singapore

Our former Asia columnist on whether it’s a miraculously stable spot, or a dystopia

How to steal it

The best books to read to understand financial crime

Our deputy business affairs editor considers a boom in financial shenanigans