Monthly Archives: February 2013

Over the past week or so I’ve become addicted to the Twitter photo feed of astronaut Chris Hadfield, currently in orbit on the International Space Station. He’s become quite a celebrity online. This shot is captioned: “The full moon rises over … Continue reading →

Foreign journalists allowed to entered nationalist Spain soon discovered to their amazement that a hysterical relationship with the truth existed there. Anyone who doubted an invention  of nationalist propaganda, however preposterous, was suspected of being a secret “red”. The American … Continue reading →

Are you allowed to write about a biography of a friend and mentor? The ever-readable Alan Jacobs thinks not. But at least James Kirchick – a protégé of Christopher Hitchens – declared his interest. Some people aren’t so fastidious about … Continue reading →

I didn’t enjoy Rokia Traore’s last London show, a long-winded theatrical piece directed by Peter Sellars and scripted by Toni Morrison. But the Malian singer’s new album — out next month — looks promising.

A disgruntled reader takes his grudge to the grave: Paid Notice: Deaths SHUCHMAN, AMOS SHUCHMAN–Amos, of New York, on February 1, 2013. Beloved and caring husband of Alice Shuchman for 51 years, father of Daniel (Lori Lesser) and Nina (Brian … Continue reading →

Jonathan Freedland writes about the joy of discovering football late in life and, in the process, becoming one of those mood-swingy types whose daily happiness depends on how well their team is doing. In his case it’s Arsenal, in Golden … Continue reading →

Cool. Michelle Obama looks effortlessly hip as she demonstrates her dance steps. Uncool. My namesake makes an ass of himself trying to ingratiate himself with hip-hoppers:  “Let me just get one issue out of the way right here and now: Tonight you … Continue reading →

Poster, Oxford. When it comes to the Cool Composers Stakes, Villa-Lobos even beats Lenny Bernstein.

So far, I haven’t had a chance to see Spielberg’s latest — I suspect I’ll be content to wait for the DVD. Erica Wagner’s column in today’s Times [£] certainly didn’t make me want to rush out and buy a … Continue reading →