Copy: The National 02/02/12 >> We’ve all done it. Bought an entrance ticket for a gallery or a museum and politely declined when a well-meaning employee suggests that we purchase the glossy guidebook. But in the case of the Museum Of Islamic Art in Doha, I would definitely recommend that you take them up on their effort, Reflections On Islamic Art. Ok, so many of you are probably not going to be checking out the incredibly impressive building on the south end of Doha Bay any time soon. But Reflections On Islamic Art is so good, it can stand alone. Instead of simply explaining the art in the rooms, editor Ahdaf Soueif gathered...
WHY THE WORLD LOVES DOWNTON ABBEY
posted by Ben East
Copy: The National 22/01/2012 >> When I spoke to Richard Davenport-Hines about his new book Titanic Lives, we had a long conversation about Julian Fellowes’s success with Downton Abbey. He’s lent kind words on the front of Richard’s book, which, seeing as Fellowes’ Titanic series is likely to be must-watch television in the Spring, is quite a coup. Anyway, Davenport-Hines’ theory is that the huge popularity of the show isn’t just because we’re obsessed with period drama or posh people, but because he’s so generous with the characters. On the whole, good things happen to good people....
REVIEW: THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME BY MIHIR BOSE
posted by Ben East
Copy: Metro 18/01/12 >> Sadly, Metro don’t publish their book reviews online. So here’s my review of ex BBC Sport Editor Mihir Bose’s new book tracking how sport moved from its Corinthian roots to becoming one of the most influential and money-making institutions in the...
TITANIC: A CLIMAX OF DEADLY FOLLY
posted by Ben East
Copy: The National 16/01/12 >> It was truly strange to start last week speaking to the author Richard Davenport-Hines about his book published to coincide with the centenary of Titanic’s demise, and end it talking about a ship sinking off the coast of Italy on Gordon Burns’...
THE STRANGE SENSE OF AN ENDING
posted by Ben East
Copy: The National 12/01/12 >> Really enjoyed Great Expectations on the BBC over the Christmas break, not least because I was intrigued to see how they decided to end it. Would they go with Dickens’ original, or the revised, ‘happier’ version, or their own? In the end...
A TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT
posted by Ben East
Copy: The National 26/12/11 >> I love tall buildings. A few years ago it seemed like every spare plot in central Manchester promised a skyscraper to compete with the peerless Beetham Tower. Buildings like this and this And then the credit crunch hit, and we were left with the slightly...
We wish you a Muppets Christmas
posted by Ben East
Copy: The National 19/12/11 >> If you’re stuck for a movie to get you in the festive mood, look no further than The Muppet Christmas Carol, the felty furry take on Charles Dickens’ classic broadcast tomorrow (Christmas Eve) on Channel 4. Gonzo is Charles Dickens, Kermit is...
REVIEW: COLDPLAY @ MEN ARENA
posted by Ben East
Copy: The National 19/12/11 >> Yes, yes, Coldplay’s date in Manchester was right at the start of December. I know. However, I was covering it for The National, as Chris Martin’s band are playing in Abu Dhabi on New Year’s Eve, and they’ve only just published the...
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