Monthly Archives: April 2013

Clive James, reader

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

Having returned from beyond the grave, the author of the indispensable “Cultural Amnesia”  sounds as sharp as ever in a Q&A with the New York Times: Have you read any good poets lately? I’ve been editing the manuscript of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Growing up slowly

Posted on April 13, 2013 by

I was (briefly) a member of the Labour Party Young Socialists, and even though that was in the mid-1970s, in the final days of Old Labour, Rebecca Mead’s memories of a Thatcher adolescence still ring a bell with me: Our branch … Continue reading →

Posted in UK politics, Uncategorized

Channeling Johnny Cash

Posted on April 12, 2013 by

One alternative to investing in the gigantic new box-set – all sixty-odd discs of it — would be to get a copy of Dean Owens‘ fine tribute album, “Cash Back: Songs I Learned From Johnny”. The Scottish singer-songwriter certainly isn’t your … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Getting into the property market early

Posted on April 12, 2013 by

File under plutocracy… A Chinese mother buys a $6.5 million apartment in Manhattan for her (very young) child: “We’re running around the city looking at things, and I finally said, ‘Why exactly are you buying?’” broker Kevin Brown, of Sotheby’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Money

On not speaking ill of the dead

Posted on April 12, 2013 by

The etiquette has been debated no end in the past week, with Glenn Greenwald and Norm Geras leading the way.  But the passing of film critic Roger Ebert prompts the best response of all, from the Washington Post’s Gene Weingarten: [J]ournalists often hold … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Ye olde Fleet Street

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Listening to The Media Show’s discussion of how Mrs T changed the face of the newspaper industry, I couldn’t help thinking of the classic Not The Nine O’Clock News sketch about a defunct print worker.  Rowan Atkinson’s blustering union rep … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, Journalism, UK politics

London’s new look

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Buzzfeed has a glimpse of the skyline that’s just around the corner. The City looks more and more like another country, doesn’t it? [HT: Tom Chivers]

Posted in Money, Uncategorized

Notebook

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

He was a common trader, from his youth up employed  in these parts – nothing more. He was obeyed, yet he inspired neither love nor fear, nor even respect. He inspired uneasiness. That was it! Uneasiness. Not a definite mistrust … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Notebook

The Lady’s not for jumping

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

Bizarre, truly bizarre. I was sure it was a cleverly edited spoof the first time I saw it.

Posted in Comedy, Journalism, Politics

Mrs T – the long view

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

My copy of Ferdinand Mount’s book, “The New Few, Or a Very British Oligarchy”, arrived in the post just as news was breaking of Margaret Thatcher’s death. As he used to work for her, his analysis is more interesting than … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized