Getting China Wrong
Our engagement with China has been wrong for decades. Disastrously wring. This is the assessment of Aaron L. Friedberg, Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. He outlined…
Judy Garland at 100
June 10 this year marked the 100th birthday of Judy Garland, who died in 1969. The singer attained iconic status with the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and for…
Doris Goodwin donates archives to Austin
The Briscoe Center for American History in Austin is about to become the home to collected archives of Doris Kearns Goodwin, and her late husband Richard Goodwin (1931-2018). Richard Goodwin’s…
New Insights into 18th Century Philosophy
This book offers, for the first time English, some of the most important early writings by the great German philosopher Johann Nicolaus Tetens (1736-1807). The first 36 pages consist of…
The Inheritance, Part 2
Many people in Texas will remember the halcyon days when Ann Richards, a Democrat, was Governor. The actress Libby Villari, from North Carolina, moved to Texas where she graduated from…
Tchaikovsky and Ravel at Austin Symphony
The Austin Symphony Orchestra opened its 112th season with a superlative programme this past weekend. Acclaimed pianist Benedetto Lupo gave the audience a marvellously nuanced interpretation of Ravel’s Piano Concerto…
Best Italian in London: La Mia Mamma
In June I dined at La Mia Mamma, the best Italian restaurant in London. This month I will be there again. Unique among Italian restaurants real Italian mothers are the…
Murders and Moontowers
A slice of Austin history is on display now at the Dougherty Arts Centre. It is in the form of a musical play, and while it is just an hour…
Poetry on its own Terms
In the Republic, Plato famously remarked that “there is an old quarrel between philosophy and poetry.” He also refused to include most types of poetry in his ideal city. Without…
The Virgin Trial
In the year Elizabeth II celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, Elizabeth I is making a comeback. In the play The Virgin Trial, we see Elizabeth I before she became Queen. Mostly…