Diary: What did the Romans ever do for us?
Nothing, it turns out. They did it all for themselves, the selfish so-and-sos. Natalie Haynes explains
Culture
Heathen’s greetings
They thought it was a joke when Robin Ince said he was going to mix atheism, comedy and Christmas. But, reports Stephanie Merritt, he’s having the last laugh
Why God’s Philosophers did not deserve to be shortlisted for the Royal Society prize
James Hannam's book is a good read but presents a distorted view of the medieval period and the development of science that suits his Catholic agenda, claims Charles Freeman.
Book review: The Coming of the Body by Hervé Juvin
Owen Hatherley embraces the society of the body
Book review: Slaughter on a Snowy Morn by Colin Evans
Louise Foxcroft on a bloody murder and the birth of forensic science
Film review: Eat Pray Love
Fred Rowson peers into the abyss
Farewell Gordon
Francis Beckett reviews two books telling the inside story of the implosion of New Labour
Book review: Learning to Live: Philosophy for Beginners by Luc Ferry
AC Grayling learns to live without God
Banned: the hidden censorship of children’s books
Tibet, sausages and masturbating mice – as Banned Book Week begins, Anne Rooney explores the hidden restrictions on what your children read
Time is money
Laurie Taylor keeps his meter running