26 February 1999
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From the Editor…
Welcome to the New Statesman website. Whether you are a new reader or an existing one - online or via the magazine - I hope you'll enjoy the great writing, fresh ideas and provocative debate that make the New Statesman Britain's award-winning current affairs weekly
Cover story
The police force we deserve?
Brian Cathcartargues that the British should stop congratulating themselves on their response to racism
Features
Was Two-Brains one too many?
The BBC, the universities, the NHS: the Tories wrecked them all. James Le Fanu argues that David Willetts should come clean and take the blame
The spud America didn't like
The US wasn't worrying about GM food. Now, the gene is out of the bottle. ByEmily Green
A world on the edge of disaster
The fate of the global economy hangs largely on the decisions of four top Americans. They think they can save us from recession. John Lloyddoubts it
Slings, arrows, outrageous fortunes
The traditionally secretive City has become public theatre, with moments of drama, intrigue and betrayal. Patrick Hosking sits back and enjoys the show
How the Israelis try to bury Jerusalem's past
In the Holy Land, everything is political, even archaeology, reports William Dalrymple
When the customer is always a mug
Banks are taking us for a ride. It's time to challenge their charges, argues Richard Colbey
Essay
The New Statesman Essay - A philosophy that would not die
David Marquandrejoices at the stealthy resurgence of Europe's social democrats
Culture
Fighting for truth
After Saving Private Ryan comes The Thin Red Line. But how much, asks Samuel Hynes, does either film have to do with the reality of war?
Knight errant
Opera
Lost soul
Rock byRichard Cook
Bunker mentality
Design byHugh Aldersey-Williams
Eccles cake v Big Apple
Theatre byDavid Jays
Books
In the company of wolves. In Italy the heroine of "Rumpelstiltskin" eats seven plates of pasta; in China Cinderella has an ugly sister called Pock Face. A new study explores the universal appeal of fairy stories
The Classic Fairy Tales Maria Tatar (editor) Norton Critical Edition, 394pp, £6.95
Gay pride
Proust Edmund White Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 149pp, £12.99
Hall of mirrors
Serendipities Umberto Eco Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 130pp, £12.99
It's irony, guv
The Cultural Turn: selected writings on the postmodern, 1983-98 Fredric Jameson Verso, 224pp, £11 The Origins of Postmodernity Perry Anderson Verso, 160pp, £11 paperback; £35 hardback
Novel of the week
Hero of the Underworld Jimmy Boyle Serpent's Tail, 186pp, £8.99
Boxing clever
Sonny Liston Was a Friend of Mine Thom Jones Faber & Faber, 312pp, £9.99
Patrician hauteur. Interview - Christopher MacLehose.
Baret Magarianinvestigates the success of the pioneering Harvill Press
