Leaps of faith
Padraig Reidy endures some breakfast listening
Culture
Champagne Islam
Until recently, the Middle East enjoyed a culture of tolerance, sensuality and debate. Sami Zubaida celebrates its rich tradition
Left behind
Nick Cohen reflects on the book that changed his mind about Bush and Blair's war on terror
When the light goes out
Launching our new series of guest diaries by people in the news is BBC Radio 4's chief announcer, Peter Donaldson. For 30 years his gracefully modulated tones have informed and…
Matinee idylls
Andrew Tudor samples this summer's holiday blockbusters
Off the Boil
Sally Feldman chokes on her (Joyce Carol) Oates
Lobbing Horseshit
With everyone talking about the need for 'respect' Martin Rowson reckons it's time to come clean about what they really mean
Reel time
Andrew Tudor salutes Ken Loach's unique vision
Triumph of light
Distinguished musicologist and composer Wilfred Mellers, the man who first compared The Beatles to Schubert, celebrates the 250th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Wilfrid Mellers died on 16 May 2008
Thinker: William Shakespeare
Continuing our series of thinkers who have been important for humanism, Brian McClinton puts in a bid for Shakespeare.