Under Eastern eyes
The Ottoman Empire inspired great travel books as well as great architects. Travellers like George Sandys, Richard Pococke or the… See the full story of Under Eastern eyes on The Spectator.
View ArticleThe battle for the holy city
In a tour de force of 500 pages of text Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian of Stalin and Potemkin, turns to… See the full story of The battle for the holy city on The Spectator.
View ArticleGunboat diplomacy
Britain’s links with the Continent were once deeper and more extensive than those of any other European country. Paris, Rome… See the full story of Gunboat diplomacy on The Spectator.
View ArticleCharming, cold-eyed cosmopolitan
At last a diary as penetrating on Berlin as the Goncourt brothers’ on Paris has been translated into English. The… See the full story of Charming, cold-eyed cosmopolitan on The Spectator.
View ArticleLove letters to foreign lands
Xenophilia is as English as Stilton. Despite a reputation for insularity, no other nation has produced so many writers who… See the full story of Love letters to foreign lands on The Spectator.
View ArticleSublime port
Ports can challenge national stereotypes: think of the difference between St Petersburg and Russia, or Naples and Italy. Since England… See the full story of Sublime port on The Spectator.
View ArticleTaking no prisoners
The role of personality in politics is the theme of this awe-inspiring biography. This is the third volume, 1,562 pages… See the full story of Taking no prisoners on The Spectator.
View ArticleSodom in Potsdam
Reacquaintance with Germany is long overdue for most English people. Before 1914 it was at least as familiar as France… See the full story of Sodom in Potsdam on The Spectator.
View ArticleThe road to catastrophe
France’s problems today should lessen the condescension of posterity towards Louis XVI. Presidents of the Republic have proved just as… See the full story of The road to catastrophe on The Spectator.
View ArticleHolding court
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: (L-R) Eric Trump, Lara Yunaska Trump, Donald Trump, Barron Trump, Melania Trump, Vanessa Haydon Trump, Kai Madison Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Donald John Trump III, and Ivanka...
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