Reviews

Review

How Japan raises its children

The West has long drawn on Asia's culture and philosophy to shape its own notions of 'lifestyle'. Japanese parenting is another rich vein of inspiration.

Christopher Harding September 1, 2026

Review

King Juba in fragments

Reconstructing the life of the African ruler Juba II from 15 objects, as Andrew Kenrick does in 'Rex Juba', shows both the appeal and the limits of narrative history.

Orlando Gibbs August 28, 2026

Review

Did globalisation cause the First World War?

The economic origins of the Great War warn that trading and financial links are not just a means to peace and prosperity – they can also be a source of tension and conflict.

Duncan Weldon August 27, 2026

Review

The women who waged secret war on the Nazis

The valiant contribution made by female secret agents to the resistance in Nazi-occupied Europe has been overlooked for too long.

Clare Mulley August 26, 2026

Review

Mozart’s vision of life

Martha C. Nussbaum's study of opera and political freedom combines musical sensitivity with a philosopher's eye to argue that Mozart offers a template for living well.

Alexandra Wilson August 25, 2026

Review

Republics fall when they forget the past

A tour of history's great republics, ancient and modern, shows that civic education is the best defence against decay.

Max Skjönsberg August 20, 2026

Review

Jonathan Swift’s literary world

The summer of 1726 saw a unique meeting of three great literary minds, whose dazzling works of poetry, prose and satire would redefine the possibilities of the English language.

Derek Turner August 18, 2026

Review

The noble failure of Russia’s liberal reformers

Russia’s rapid economic decline in the 1990s was the result of too little, rather than too much, ‘shock therapy’.

Friedrich Asschenfeldt August 17, 2026

Review

Christian Kracht against minimalism

The Swiss writer's latest novel sends up Nordic and Japanese minimalism via the mad and joyful world of fairy tale.

Morten Høi Jensen August 10, 2026