The Browser | FiveBooks

Tariq Ramadan on Islam in the West

FiveBooks — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:22:56 +0000

The Islamic scholar and commentator tells us what it means to be Muslim and Western, and explains how mainstream views get trapped between noisy extremism and a sensation-seeking media

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Louise Foxcroft on the History of Medicine and Addiction

FiveBooks — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:15:44 +0000

The historian prescribes reading on medical practices of the past, from treatments of madness and non-existent disease, to drug use and the origins of hypochondria

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Nick Harkaway on Negotiating the Digital Age

FiveBooks — Wed, 23 May 2012 06:41:11 +0000

Facebook

The challenges – and opportunities – of our times have never been greater. Everything from our models of political participation to the very architecture of our brains is at stake, says the novelist and technology blogger

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Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström on Swedish Crime Writing

FiveBooks — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:24:36 +0000

The celebrated Swedish crime-writing duo take turns to recommend gripping and grisly Scandinavian thrillers, as well as to tell us about visiting prison – and being in it

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John Quiggin on Utopia

FiveBooks — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:19:44 +0000

Wikimedia Commons. The Golden Age by Lucas Cranach the Elder

The Australian economist and author of Zombie Economics says we need to inspire people with a view of a better society that we can achieve within our available resources

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Philip Ball on the Origins of Curiosity

FiveBooks — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:22:45 +0000

Modern science emerged only when it became acceptable to ask any question about anything – and that required erosion of traditional hierarchies, says the science writer

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Keith Spera on the Music of New Orleans

FiveBooks — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:27:52 +0000

Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans

The author of Groove Interrupted transports us to the world of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair, and tells us how (and where) to sample the city’s unique music culture

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Julia Lovell on the Opium War

FiveBooks — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:02:01 +0000

The 19th century opium war marked the clash of the world’s great empires of the age – Britain and China. The historian says its legacy of Chinese humiliation is still felt keenly in Beijing

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Robert Lacey on the Queen

FiveBooks — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:23:02 +0000

Wikimedia Commons

As the Diamond Jubilee approaches, royal biographer Robert Lacey considers the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, her family history, and her ambivalent relationship with Princess Diana

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Mary King on the Equestrian Life

FiveBooks — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:34:17 +0000

JDB Photos on Flickr

The world championship winning horse rider, who will represent Great Britain in the Olympics, tells us what it takes to succeed in her sport

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