The intensity of Christmas
What a box of contradictions Christmas is. There’s the quest for presents – which can get urgent and exhilarated in…
Aussie life
It might not be a very net-zero-friendly activity, but driving around to view the Christmas light show is part of…
Language
It’s Word of the Year time again, when all the dictionaries announce their chosen winner. The Australian National Dictionary Centre…
A world of our own making
Two very brief excerpts from Radio 4 last week. First, my wife turned on her radio in time to hear…
A year is a long time in politics
The year of the three emperors in Prussia changed world history. In 1888, Wilhelm I died and was succeeded by…
Portrait of the year
January The first day of the year reached 16.3°C in St James’s Park, London. In France, 874 cars were set…
Christmas under fire
This year, for the first time, millions of Ukrainians will celebrate Christmas on 25 December. The Orthodox Church had used…
Boiled fruit cake
This time last year, I was disgustingly well organised. Awaiting the arrival of my first baby, with a late December…
Christmas crossword: Birthday Boy
Two unclued lights are a title (three words) and its creator (two words). Remaining unclued lights are four names and…
Answers to Spot the Book Title
1. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin 2. Scoop 3. The Thirty-Nine Steps 4. Moll Flanders 5. The Girl on the Train 6.…
‘I’m drawn to the drama of the chase’
Tom Holland and Robert Harris on interpreting history, eco-radicals and why monarchy is essential
