Books In search of the real Dick Whittington The pantomime gives all the credit to a lucky cat, but Sir Richard Whittington was a canny medieval entrepeneur who made a fortune dealing in luxury… By Matthew Dennison
Can we stop the government criminalising protest? With Jodie Beck of Liberty The Public Order Bill is a worrying assault on basic freedoms. By Adrian Bradley, Rachel Cunliffe and NS Podcasts
Pat Barker’s Noonday shows the full scale of the Blitz A novel of sure-footed storytelling and some fine descriptive writing, Noonday reveals the impact of war through a kaleidoscope. By Matthew Dennison
Margeret Forster’s My Life in Houses is an inspirational reflection on eight decades of home Margeret Forster's sensitive new study of a life in real estate is more than simple autobiography. By Matthew Dennison