Books

A path open to us all

Daniel Johnson reviews Wagner’s Parsifal, by Roger Scruton

The flaws of liberalism

On a range of issues liberal politicians pursued policies opposed by voters

Invitation to a joyless party

Lisa Hilton reviews Very Important People, by Ashley Mears

The jokes must go on

Christopher Bray reviews Apropos of Nothing by Woody Allen

Me, Myself and I

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

It ran in the family

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

American Tolstoy

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

Significant others

Selina Todd reviews Female Husbands, by Jen Manion

Enemy of orthodoxy

Christopher Silvester reviews Groupthink: A Study in Self-Delusion, By Christopher Booker

“I am a total act” (but a second act?)

John Bowers reviews A Very Stable Genius, by Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig