Books

Smart answers to clever questions

In the Know is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the fascinating science of human intelligence

Like father, like son

Philip Larkin’s long association with Kingsley and Martin Amis resulted in the poet being misrepresented and misunderstood

The enduring power of brief encounters

A trio of novels that are connected by their surprising manner of finding their way to us

Blue bloods and brownshirts

The intricate relationship between German aristocrats and Nazi Germany

Murders for early May

From seedy sex clubs to the streets of Paris: Jeremy Black selects British Library Crime Classics to enjoy over the May Bank Holiday

Perceptive, witty and sure of himself

Beyond the embellishments of Alan Duncan’s private diaries lies a body of work making serious points about the role of parliament

Stolen glories

Alexander Adams delves into two new books that examine the art theft of occupying armies in two different ages

Libraries and laureates: a study in necessity

Without school libraries, boys and girls will grow up in households where the idea of owning books, or even borrowing, seems an increasingly fantastical one

The men with the megaphone

A new history of movie directors is full of insight, felicitous phrases and subtle put-downs

Temple to craft and prestige

A beautiful and unusual book can lift the spirits of even the most jaded reviewer