Kilburn Confidential
After a seven-year hiatus, Zadie Smith returns with her fourth novel, NW. It is in turn vivid, angry and surprising
Politics, Ideas and the Arts
Reach For the Sky
While woeful arts coverage on ITV and the BBC looks beyond saving, the two Sky Arts channels offer brave, and often unpredictable, film-making
Strange Death of the English Gentleman
Cameron's sustained attempt to hide his gentlemanliness reflects wider society's rejection of good moral conduct
The First Modern Art Movement
The Pre-Raphelites, whose work stars in a new Tate Britain show, dismissed the artistic hierarchy and founded a brotherhood with fire in the belly
Festival of Britain
For too long the Proms showcased foreign music. Now, under Roger Wright, it is well and truly a Great British festival
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