Issue: April 2021

Christopher Silvester reveals how this biography of Robert Maxwell is a skilfully constructed page-turner

Norman Lebrecht says an affair with Coco Chanel did Stravinsky’s PR, and hers, no harm at all

W. Sydney Robinson, the historian’s latest biographer, discovered that his subject was without scruple in matters of the heart

Simon Evans says Andrew Doyle’s book is the toolkit you need to think about at least one side of this debate

And Piers Brosnan’s Irish accent leaves something to be desired

After a national Lent that has lasted a year, we can smell the blossom of hope

Titania McGrath on how book burning is the only way to defeat fascism

Jonathon Green wonders if, despite this being a fascinating book, the author has set herself up for defeat

When a new major title by a big cheese arrives, expect a tidal wave of rolled logs

Bullfighting was a lifelong fascination for Francis Bacon and played an increasingly important role in his work, his high-risk approach matching that of the matador