Notebooks

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When King Cetshwayo came to London

The King of the Zulus, Cetshwayo, turned defeat into diplomatic success after winning the hearts of the British public.

Harry Cluff February 5, 2021

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The Sahara by armchair

Reading the Andalusian Arab writer al-Bakri is to go on a magnificent journey through harsh deserts and lands rich in gold watched over by quixotic local rulers.

Peter Frankopan February 5, 2021

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Who is the real Lady Whistledown?

Eighteenth century literary ephemera give us an insight into the true identity of Bridgerton's elusive Lady Whistledown.

Francesca Peacock January 27, 2021

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Fear and loathing in East Anglia

The deceptive tranquility of Norwich's Mousehold Heath was the setting for the first documented case of the anti-semitic 'blood libel' myth.

James Hardie January 26, 2021

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Joe Biden and the attractions of Augustine

Why did Joe Biden's quotation of St. Augustine on society and love strike such a chord?

Alexander Lee January 23, 2021

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The tragedy of the Trump circus

Hollywood liked Trump and helped make him. Then he became President. Can entertainment and politics be restored to their proper place?

Jenny McCartney January 22, 2021

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Inauguration and the power of American ritual

The presidential inauguration makes manifest the complexity and beauty of the American Dream.

Harry Cluff January 20, 2021

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On Richelieu’s cats

Richelieu’s cats are not alone in the pantheon of historic pets. There are many of these animals – silent witnesses to the mighty spasms of human history and, it is said, humaniser..

Fergus Butler-Gallie January 15, 2021

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Nijinsky’s last dance

The great dancer Vaslav Nijinsky's astonishing revival after decades of madness ranks as one of the most mysterious events in art - he found it in himself to have one last dance.

Harry Cluff January 15, 2021