Books

Jill Radford is impressed by a study of the kidnap that gripped 1970s America - and the ensuing trial

Richard Gregory on an introduction to a way of interpreting communication and linguistics

A work exploding the myths surrounding so-called race riots wins David Gadd's enthusiastic approval

An exploration of the model world impresses Steven French

A rich portrait of a country at the crossroads offers Richard King a sense of where it might be headed

We will leave behind just a small footprint, learns Michael Benton

A Classic Greek holiday via time-machine: Simon Goldhill strolls the agora and wishes you were here

Loss of learned skills is messing with our heads, but John Gilbey wonders who needs to know

A.W. Purdue on ten years of adroit scholarship that helped to revitalise a discipline in Britain

Drummond Bone does not warm to a harsh critic but enjoys his cut-throat literary world

Charlotte Methuen on Early Protestantism's continuing influence on modern-day culture

It's credit where due, says Tom Rutter, in this account of the monetary context of the Bard's work

Richard Sha explores the influence of science on Romanticism

Sean Matthews discusses Raymond Williams' reliance on his own life experiences in his work

Mary Evans is reminded of the threat to diversity presented by resurgence of the commodity culture

Fred Inglis is moved by a meditation on loss that transforms into an unforgettable study of America's soul

A hate figure of popular history reveals his more caring side to Tom Palaima in a vivid new treatment

Jon Turney explores the irresistible images of our world from space