麻豆约拍

From the hydrogen bomb to Polaris and Trident, the question of nuclear weapons runs throughout post-1940 British history. In his latest book, Cabinets and the Bomb, PETER HENNESSY presents previously classified documents which reveal the debates and decisions taken around Britain鈥檚 nuclear weapons. He describes Clement Attlee鈥檚 rationale for Britain going into the nuclear weapon business, Churchill鈥檚 1954 Cabinet decision to authorise the manufacture of the H-bomb and how Harold Wilson persuaded his Cabinet to proceed with Polaris, despite a manifesto pledge to the contrary. Cabinets and the Bomb is published for the British Academy by Oxford University Press.

The tragedy of the Oedipus myth takes on a new life in the latest novel by SALLEY VICKERS, Where Three Roads Meet. She explores the role of story-telling and human choices and why sometimes we only hear what we want to hear. Where Three Roads Meet is published by Canongate.

The historian ROY FOSTER charts the boom years of Ireland in his new book, Luck and the Irish, describing how the society has been transformed by EU money, the decline in the influence of the Catholic Church and a transformation in social mores. He explains why he thinks Ireland has become more protestant with a small 'p' and how partitionism is, in his view, now entrenched in the Republic. Luck and the Irish: A Brief History of Change 1970-2000 is published by Allen Lane.

The emergence of China - along with India, Brazil and Russia - as a global class of producers and entrepreneurs is having a profound effect on the world economy. JONATHAN FENBY argues that we have reached a vital tipping point, with the old economic order becoming increasingly irrelevant. China鈥檚 most important asset in its economic development is its vast workforce, but how has it managed to mobilise its population and what effect has its emerging labour class had on the country as a whole? Jonathan is giving a talk at the ICA: Is there a new global working class? on 20 November at 7.00pm.