William Pfaf, often said to be America's leading commentator on foreign affairs, wrote in a review of "Conundrums of Humanity" in "Prospect" magazine, "When Jonathan Power told a friend that the book he was writing was meant to solve 11 of the most formidable contemporary threats to peace and human rights, the friend replied that Power must be bidding for the Nobel prize. George Bernard Shaw once said that all progress depends on the unreasonable man. The reasonable man adapts himself to the world as it is, but the unreasonable man is determined to change it. This book is filled with reason, good sense and optimism. His is a powerful statement of ways to make the world better. He is unreasonably good, as demonstrated by his commitment to the developing world, the fortunes of the poor, the defense of human rights, and his devotion to the society's progress. Is that worth the Nobel prize. I say, why not?"

"Conundrums of Humanity" covers the 'clash of civilizations', nuclear disarmament, war, hunger, human rights, human development, the future of Africa, the United Nations, and China and India's rise and rivalry.