Eureka moments in Syracuse
In a charming Sicilian museum you can test the theories of antiquity’s greatest mathematician
Politics, Ideas and the Arts
Distinguished only by his errors
"Many, perhaps most, books about Israel are full of tendentious delusions. This is one of the worst examples"
Discovering the Great War of China
A third of a million Chinese labourers helped the Allies defeat the Kaiser, but their huge unsung contribution ended in betrayal
Davids slay Goliath of Dolphin Square
A consortium of residents and community groups has defeated plans to revamp one of London’s most famous—and notorious—buildings
Cosy world of the old history boy network
When I asked my academic colleagues to rate historians and their most famous works, their anger at the patronage system surprised me
Comics plight no laughing matter
An iconic American art form is in crisis thanks to new writers pushing politically-correct storylines
Chris Arnade: Dignity
Chris Arnade thinks American society is a bit like a classroom. With a physics PhD, a successful Wall Street career and a family home in Brooklyn, he was one of the ones
Charisma and catastrophe
"How could one of the most civilised societies on earth become the instrument of a mind of such malice? I confess that my heart sank at the thought of spending any more
Calm before the storm
"As the Conservative Party’s fortunes have waned, Johnson’s standing has waxed. After all, if the party is heading for electoral disaster, taking a punt on Boris becomes much less of a risk."
Call of the mild
"Michael Gove’s Wild Animals in Circuses Bill appears at first glance to be nothing more than his latest essay in exhibitionistic compassion. But is it a misreading to ascribe this picayune law-making
Bedside manna
"Some doctors have an intuitive rapport. For others it’s a work in progress."
Bank notes
Now he tells us. Governor Mark Carney of the Bank of England has been advising us on our investments. Be careful, he says. Before putting money in, ask yourself how easy it