Purges and Paranoia
A look at Erdogan’s Turkey, post-coup.
The Problem with Winning
The historian Linda Colley proposes that the relative political stability of Britain (along with the US) over time has left its political system with more maintenance work outstanding than other countries that have experienced greater upheaval. From there, she looks to the lessons history can offer in addressing Britain’s current challenges. http://bit.ly/lrb-history
The Impermanence of Importance
A review of a new book by Obama adviser Ben Rhodes (a speechwriter and Deputy National Security Adviser who was one of the few senior officials to remain in office throughout the whole presidency). The piece reflects on Obama’s style of leadership, the nature of power and governing, and the author’s own journey. It is also replete with anecdotes from behind the scenes of elite politics such as Rhodes discussing the TV show Entourage with David Cameron over after-state-dinner drinks at Buckingham Palace.
After the Fall
John Lanchester analyses the impact of the financial crisis a decade on. A potent mix of fine writing, economic analysis, and a concern to place the narrative in a political and social context that helps the reader to make sense of what happened.
Where are we now?
The LRB dedicates a vast spread to responses to the UK’s EU referendum result. Contributors look at the issue from all sorts of angles – the greatest value perhaps lies in the interplay between the viewpoints when placed alongside each other.
The Last World Cup
A look at the inevitable intermingling of geo-politics and technology with football and the World Cup. The piece’s thrust is perhaps best exemplified by the anecdote it contains recounting Sepp Blatter’s genuine ambition to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dacre’s Paper
Look past the provocative headline and you find an indignant, coruscating profile of The Daily Mail and its pugnacious editor Paul Dacre.
Do your homework
While this piece is nominally a book review, that task is witheringly dispatched in the first sentence. What follows is a nuanced and compelling profile of Theresa May and her relationship with her colleagues in the Conservative Party over many years, starting from university days.
The Heart and the Fist
The journalist that wrote this story covering a political scandal surrounding the right wing, ex-Navy Seal, Governor of Missouri has an unusual angle – she went to the University of Oxford with his wife, and they were friends.