Samuel Brittan reviews the Treasury's battles against impossible odds

Communism in eastern Europe created a unique literary-philosophical tradition. Lesley Chamberlain surveys this tradition both before and after the collapse of communism. She prefers Ivan Klima to...

From Constable's Cornfield at the National Gallery to Abstract Art in the Twentieth Century at New York's Guggenheim, Norbert Lynton considers English views of art

Edward Pearce enjoyed "The House" and now wants to run Covent Garden

The latest book to come out of the Clinton administration is by the First Lady herself. It contains advice on entertaining toddlers (with a sock) and how girls should dress (comfortably). PJ O'Rourke...

The best German films at this year's Berlin film festival came from the former East Germany. They tell simple, sometimes tragic tales of everyday life. Sarah Gellner fears that they could be the last...

The only alternative to social democracy is social democracy

Observations about American exceptionalism go back to the birth of the republic itself. Alan Ryan finds that Seymour Martin Lipset's latest book offers little new on the subject, but welcomes its...

Conservatives attack Hollywood for lax morals and liberal politics. But Christopher Tookey, who sees 300 films a year, thinks that they protest too much

Radio Three's Paul Gambaccini has been the target of an ugly campaign-accusing him of driving the once highbrow music station downmarket. Edward Pearce speaks out in his defence and offers views of...