Edward Lucas pays tribute to his father J.R. Lucas, Oxford philosopher and Cold War champion of the Czechs

The hip young authors who write about their greatest obsession – themselves

Alexander Larman reviews Fall of the House of Byron, by Emily Brand

Lisa Hilton dreams of Mayfair and the true luxury of a silky, delicate fish pie

Time to proclaim the greatness of Herman Wouk, once feted for the sweep of his historical novels

Feed pets what you eat and babies what you hate, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto

Christopher Pincher discovers a family wine business in the south east of Sancerre

Thomas Woodham-Smith juggles his work-life balance

Selina Todd reviews Female Husbands, by Jen Manion

Claudia Savage-Gore stays alert and survives by sending the little darlings back to school