New Statesman -

Blood, Iron and Gold: How the Railways Transformed the World

Andrew Martin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:38:24 GMT

The British may have invented the railways, but they were soon lagging behind other nations. It�s time we got back on track

Time, gentleman, please

Andrew Martin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:15:33 GMT

The British pub used to be the heart of the community and a place of male refuge. Now pubs are closing in their hundreds but the government is doing nothing. Is it really last orders?

Upwardly mobile

Andrew Martin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:02:11 GMT

From Working-Class Hero to Absolute Disgrace: an Eighties Memoir Stephen Foster Short Books, 256pp, �10.99 Paperboy: a Memoir Christopher Fowler Doubleday, 304pp, �16.99

Conditions of carriage

Andrew Martin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:48:16 GMT

Trains are the "mode of the moment". But where's the romance in today's railway journey?

Among the angry

Andrew Martin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:07:34 GMT

I Wouldn't Start From Here Andrew Mueller Portobello Books, 480pp, �8.99

All this and WWII

Andrew Martin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:15:33 GMT

Avro Lancaster Owner's Workshop Manual: an Insight into Owning, Restoring, Servicing and Flying Britain's Legendary World War Two Bomber Jarrod Cotter and Paul Blackah J H Haynes & Co, 160pp, �17.99

Safety first - but not for children

Andrew Martin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT

You can't carry a cup of hot coffee on a train, or smoke in a public place - but if you're a teenager you know for a fact you'll be attacked on the street

Musical youth

Andrew Martin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Gig: the Life and Times of a Rock-Star Fantasist Simon Armitage Viking, 320pp, �16.99

The driver in front has a MSG 4U

Andrew Martin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:12 GMT

A disproportionate number of personalised plates are attached to cars with smoked-glass windows. Well, do the drivers want to be noticed or not?

Sweet smell of Paris

Andrew Martin — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Observations on smoke