04 September 2006
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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
Features
The return of people power
Here in the west, we have much to learn from resistance movements in dangerous places and their tactics of informed direct action
Labour's fault lines open up
As the political season opens and a Conservative revival gathers pace, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke offers heartfelt advice to the leadership. Resist the quick fix, face your demons and concentrate on policies . . . or risk alienating crucial supporters
Regulars
Diary
A fascist's guide to the Premiership
The notion of being British has never been so devalued. Sport alone seems able to be the catalyst of significant social change. Could consumerism evolve into fascism?
Politics
Gambling away Labour's principles
The understanding among Blair's allies is that he intends to announce his plans well in advance of conference, in days or weeks
This England
Each printed entry will receive a £5 book token
Entries on a POSTCARD, please, to This England, NS, address at www.newstatesman.com/contactus.htm
History mystery No 3944
Set by Didier D'Argent
So . . . 5 per cent of us think The Domesday Book was a novel by Dan Brown. We asked for an extract. If you felt like being more literary, we offered you the book as written by Umberto Eco
Arts & Culture
Independent spirit
The cult record shop Rough Trade's influence continues in the age of the download
Theatre
Cold sweat beneath the smiles
Tricky Dicky and Frosty face off in the 1970s' most riveting battle of wits
Frost/Nixon
Donmar Warehouse, London WC1
Film
Please, Michael Douglas, act your age
Ageing star makes unconvincing action hero in this thriller
The Sentinel (12A) dir: Clark Johnson
Television
Google, the horseman of the TV apocalypse
The small screen is under threat from online viewing - and warring executives
The MediaGuardian International TV Festival
Edinburgh
Radio
Two anniversaries - one great documentary
A N Wilson exposes the less cuddly side of John Betjeman
Travels
Sketches of Spain
In Andalucia's Moorish towns, there is hope for the future of Islam in Europe
Books
The poet of the provinces
John Betjeman is often thought of as a bit of a fogey, but
his work was piercingly prescient. Andrew Martin looks back at the man who helped inspire him as a writer
Power to the people
The Wealth of Networks: how social production transforms markets and freedom
Yochai Benkler Yale University Press, 512pp, £25
ISBN 0300110561
Mystery fever
China Syndrome: the true story of the 21st century's first great epidemic
Karl Taro Greenfeld Penguin, 464pp, £8.99
ISBN 0141027533
Lost in the city
Sacred Games
Vikram Chandra Faber & Faber, 915pp, £17.99
ISBN 0571231187
Keeping the faith
Be Near Me
Andrew O'Hagan Faber & Faber, 278pp, £16.99
ISBN 0571216021
John Betjeman is often thought of as a bit of a fogey, but his work was piercingly prescient. Andrew Martin looks back at the man who helped inspire him as a writer
Dons divided
The History of Britain Revealed
M J Harper Icon Books, 200pp, £9.99
ISBN 184046769X
Mirror, mirror
Only Revolutions
Mark Z Danielewski Doubleday, 384pp, £20
ISBN 0375421769
Manhattan mysteries
The World to Come
Dara Horn Hamish Hamilton, 401pp, £14.99
ISBN 0241143497
It's a family affair
Talking to the Enemy
Avner Mandelman Seven Stories, 144pp, £11.99
ISBN 0778011097







