Culture
Books
The cult of Jordan Peterson
What the Canadian intellectual gets right about young men
The best books of 2024, as chosen by The Economist
Readers will never think the same way again about games, horses and spies
Germany’s former chancellor sets out to restore her reputation
But her new memoir is unlikely to change her critics’ minds
Woodrow Wilson’s reputation continues to decline
A dispassionate new biography chronicles the former president’s hostility to suffrage
What to read to understand Elon Musk
The world’s richest man was shaped by science fiction
Books for young children that you can read over and over and over
Parents will enjoy these, too
Fiction captures the forces that led to Brexit
Alan Hollinghurst, a Booker-prizewinning novelist, returns with a new, evocative yarn
Television and film
The best films of 2024, as chosen by The Economist
They feature nuns and cardinals, robots and strippers
The Economist’s selection of the best TV of 2024
The small screen claims some riveting shows this year, both new and returning
What does “Gladiator II” get wrong?
Its artistic errors are even worse than its historical ones
In “Anora”, strippers and Russian heavies are not what you expect
Many stories rely on character types. The best reimagine them
Exposing the horrors of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries
Books, films and TV shows reckon with church-run homes for “fallen women”
Montanans are ready for “Yellowstone” to end
The hit series brought Montana to the masses—and the masses to Montana
Is TV’s next sure-fire hit, “Disclaimer”, a must-watch or a dud?
The glitzy new thriller is both
“The Perfect Couple” and the new map of Moneyland
Depictions of the super-rich on screen reflect the times
Why many French have come to like “Emily in Paris”
Even if they may not want to admit it
The arts
Fashion photography is in vogue
Museums and collectors now want what were once panned as commercial images for their walls
Paul Gauguin is an artist ripe for cancellation
Yet, as with others, controversy and talent were part of the same palette
John Sainsbury, a donor to the National Gallery, had the last laugh
A hidden letter offers an insight into disputes between artists and patrons
Can Saudi Arabia become a premier tourist hotspot?
It has sun, sea and (lots of) sand. But people are wary of visiting the kingdom
Meet the man causing cracks in the antiquities trade
Matthew Bogdanos employs unorthodox tactics to repatriate stolen art and antiquities
Food
Food lovers the world over are tickled by pickles
On social media, preserved cucumbers are freshly trendy
How the martini became the world’s most iconic cocktail
It has a glamorous history and can be endlessly personalised
In praise of mangoes
South Asia’s mangoes deserve a wider audience
Tinned fish is swimming against the tide
Once a staple of wartime diets, it is now a social-media phenomenon
The döner kebab has a meaty role in German society
It is a diplomatic tool as well as a tasty, cheap meal
Wine collectors are at last taking champagne seriously
Prices have, in turn, been bubbly
Music
The New York-London arbitrage for musicals
Can you guess which is more expensive: Broadway or the West End?
Arnold Schoenberg was one of classical music’s most important rebels
But, 150 years after his birth, he is underappreciated
How Kronos became the world’s most innovative string quartet
The group’s 50th anniversary brings new music and new members
Pop stars are all about albums
Contradictory though it may seem in the streaming era
The hit series “Bridgerton” has set off a string-quartet boom
It is a surprising example of how popular culture can shape consumer habits
Why Beethoven’s ninth appeals to democrats and despots alike
Since its first performance 200 years ago, few pieces of music have won such varied devotees
Latest coverage
Culture
What do feta, cucumbers and cottage cheese have in common?
Social media and the internet are changing how people cook and relate to food
Culture
Germany’s former chancellor sets out to restore her reputation
But her new memoir is unlikely to change her critics’ minds
Culture
The best books of 2024, as chosen by The Economist
Readers will never think the same way again about games, horses and spies
Culture
Tech and religion are very much alike
They both have gods, rich institutions and secretive cultures
Culture
Woodrow Wilson’s reputation continues to decline
A dispassionate new biography chronicles the former president’s hostility to suffrage
Culture
The New York-London arbitrage for musicals
Can you guess which is more expensive: Broadway or the West End?
Culture
Canadian v American football: can you catch the difference?
This weekend’s Grey Cup, the Canucks’ “Super Bowl”, gives Canadian football a chance to shine
Culture
The long shadow of the Paris terrorist attacks of 2015
November 13th shook the French capital—but has not changed it
Culture
In “Anora”, strippers and Russian heavies are not what you expect
Many stories rely on character types. The best reimagine them
Culture
What does “Gladiator II” get wrong?
Its artistic errors are even worse than its historical ones
Culture
“Energy transition” has been profoundly misunderstood
At COP29 there will be plenty of discussion about it. But the idea is more complex than many believe
Culture
The best films of 2024, as chosen by The Economist
They feature nuns and cardinals, robots and strippers
Culture
Can a biography capture the complexity of a long life?
James Lovelock, an important scientist, is a fascinating and fulfilling subject