Festival of Britain
For too long the Proms showcased foreign music. Now, under Roger Wright, it is well and truly a Great British festival
Politics, Ideas and the Arts
Collusion in Curaçao
In 1962 Bobby Fisher claimed "the Russians have fixed world chess". He was certainly paranoid but was proved to be partially right
Scotland’s Bravest and Britain’s Best
Two books, by Sarah Fraser and Victoria Schofield, provide an invaluable and accessible insight into Scottish military history
Dark Days at the DEA
Samuel Brittan's diaries from 1964-66 prove that, even then, the doyen of financial journalism was insightful and, at times, cutting
Why Africa is Turning East
Dambisa Moyo's Winner Take All is a worthwhile attempt to focus attention on China's increasing influence in Africa but the author fails to adequately tackle the subject
Mao to Deng and Back Again
China in Ten Words is a clarion call to the West. Yu Hua reminds us that the country is still struggling to escape an unresolved history
Trapped By His Style
Martin Amis is a true writer but Lionel Asbo is yet another example of his failure to break into a new vein
Tales of Love and Loss
Lapsed Catholics, guardian angels and good sex: Wendy Perriam's new book of short stories are passionately moving
K Street Crusaders
Christopher Buckley's new political satire sends up DC's politicos, but ultimately doesn't satarise them enough
Not So Austere
The so-called rightward march towards "austerity" has shifted entirely into the territory of the big-spending Left
Blunt Contempt
Many a British art worthy maintains we all could have been Anthony Blunt. Rubbish: he deserved nothing less than exile in Russia
Academic Ideals
Amid the higher costs for university tuition online degree courses are gaining traction. Plato and Cicero would be turning in their grave