Incidence of poverty is not new in human history, but its analysis, discourse or the efforts for reduction are. The emergence of urban poverty in Europe in the eighteenth century in the wake of industrialisation drew initial attention in a formal sense. Even till recently some people used to believe that the affluent West succeeded in striking out this evil even as it came to be revealed that at the fag end of the last century poverty still kept sticking out its ugly head, in no less a highly industrialised country than the United Kingdom. Countries like Bangladesh, India and Nepal from this part of the world are often the examples in the discourse on poverty. Naturally any research dealing with the philosophy or strategy of poverty alleviation can hardly overlook the perspectives of these countries. Two research monographs by Rehman Sobhan and MM Akash deserve careful reading for the simple reason that they critically look into some vital issues of pertinence. This is an outcome of a study commissioned by CPD and SACEPS. Together the two works have nine chapters. The first monograph mainly consists of remarks on conceptual issues relating to poverty reduction approaches pursued by a few major international organizations, namely, like WB, ADB, OECD, UNCTAD, and IFAD, who are not only important development partners or financing institutions but are also known to play a significant role in shaping the economic policies of several countries. The second monograph focuses on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper or PRSP of the selected South Asian countries mainly, as it will presumably provide guidance to the poverty reduction initiatives, particularly in framing the programmes of the countries concerned (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan). One can easily understand why these monographs should receive readers' attention, for they are related not only to their wide geographical coverage but also the very critiquing of poverty reduction strategies. While one would not expect indefinite reproductions of the observations and analyses the monographs have already made, selective reference will however be needed to set the tone of this brief review. More significant is that these monographs pursue an important analytical point regarding the main philosophy of poverty reduction. They avowedly assert that the first and foremost need is a structural change if the ultimate goal is poverty reduction. As a corollary they criticise 'micro' initiatives that do not take into account such imperatives. We quote to clarify this point,