The Long, Knotty, World-Spanning Story of String
The discovery of a spectacular 4,000 year old archaeological site in Egypt is the starting point for the history of the humble rope – “indispensable…for any civilization”.
Wings of Desire: Why is an Obsessive British Collector Risking Jail to Kill Rare Butterflies
A look at the past and present of lepidopterists in Britain. That collectors of butterflies can risk prison time to capture endangered species for their collections, speaks both to the enduring fascination that these creatures have inspired in us, and to their market value.
The Amazing Story of the Russian Defector Who Changed his Mind
This story of espionage and counterespionage is, as it describes itself a “John le Carré novel come to life”.
The Arctic Dilemma
A piece documenting the opening up of Arctic sea routes, taking place as an unintended consequence of scientific exploration investigating the impact of climate change.
ÔOur Saturn YearsÕ
A detailed look at the “insanely, wildly, beautifully successfulÓ Cassini-Huygens mission to explore Saturn, which ended this month after nearly 20 years when its satellite made a planned plunge into Saturn’s atmosphere and burned up.
Tales from the new Silk Road
Stories from different players involved in a vast Chinese infrastructure project aimed at expanding trade routes – a “bid to shape our century”.
My déja vu is so extreme I can’t tell what’s real any more
The author’s brain tumour has left him experiencing acute and persistent déja vu – here he his uses his personal experience to explore both the phenomenon and memory more broadly.
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel
An article revisiting the death of Neil Heywood, the British fixer who died in a hotel room in Chongqing. The piece explores the complex political intrigue that surrounded his demise. The article is accompanied by a five part podcast (bit.ly/bbc-podcast).
Prince of the Forty Thieves
The story of Marcus Robertson – a former Marine, criminal and informant, former Baptist turned imam, and leader of the Forty Thieves gang.