How Martin Luther Changed the World
A profile of the Augustinian friar who five hundred years ago significantly altered the course of history, when at the age of thirty-three he initiated the eventual split in the Catholic Church.
Carl Icahn’s Failed Raid on Washington
An eye-opening piece on the billionaire financier’s pugilistic approach, and his political machinations during the Trump presidency.
Will I Get A Ticket?
A very frank interview with Lucinda Chambers, the Fashion Director of British Vogue for over twenty-five years, until her recent dismissal from the role.
Saddam’s cake
A crackling piece from 2000, recounting the author’s experience attending the birthday party of a “global pariah”. Sample guest – a Bulgarian MP who has brought him a sniper rifle as a present. The 17 subsequent years of Iraq’s history make for a dark prism through which to read the story.
The Preacher and the Sheriff
When he wasn’t satisfied with the answers to his questions about his son’s death in police custody, a preacher in Louisiana decided to investigate himself.
The Art of Biography
The Paris Review interviews a master of political biography, whose epic work on President Lyndon Johnson has only reached the start of his Presidency after four volumes. Caro eloquently described his philosophy on biography at a round table with Kurt Vonnegut in 1999 – “I realized that what I wanted to do was to use biography as a means of illuminating the times and the great forces that shape the times – particularly political power.”
A Fish So Coveted People Have Smuggled, Kidnapped, and Killed For It
A look at the illegal trade in exotic animals.
Bill’s Big Moment
An insight into the odd existence of former presidents, viewed through the prism of Bill Clinton’s current role in Hillary’s campaign and his potential part in any future administration.
Tesla, software and disruption
Benedict Evans is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, a leading venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. This piece is a deep dive into the automotive industry, comparing the incumbents (Ford, GM, et al) with the disruptor (Tesla), and searching for insights in other industries that have already seen disruption (mobile phones, desktop and laptop computers).
A Spymaster Steps Out of the Shadows
John Brennan was CIA Director under President Obama, and as such privy to the highest echelons of state secrets and directly involved in the most contentious aspects of America’s war on terror. Since the beginning of the year, he has also been engaged in a public feud with Donald Trump.