Writing Worth Reading
Last updated 9 am GMT
Writing Worth Reading
Today we're delighted to welcome as guest editor the writer and broadcaster Kenan Malik. He's chosen six stories for us, which appear in the list below with brief descriptions in his own words. Click here to see his selections in full
The rescue of two Americans from Somalia was not simply a daring mission, but part of Washington’s new shadow war
"We have complete confidence that, in the crunch, both Germany and the ECB will pay whatever is necessary to avert disaster. The ultimate political goals of each assure this result." Collapse is simply not acceptable. Here's why
Squeezed between Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses, Salman Rushdie’s Shame is almost forgotten. It shouldn’t be
Short, sharp takedown of Newt Gingrich in form of warning to Democrats. Be careful what you wish for: A Gingrich nomination may make an Obama victory more likely. But is even the small chance of a Gingrich win a risk worth taking?
On the growing debate about open access to scientific papers and the future of peer review
"After God's recent execution at the hands of the New Atheists, a number of thinkers are asking again whether, even in his absence, we need religion regardless." Enjoyable review of three new books from Flood, Rosenberg, de Botton
Forty years after its original release, Cabaret seems so much more disquieting today
She was born Jeanne Baret, in the Loire in 1740. And she circumnavigated the globe with the French navy, as their botanist. Dressed as a man and using the name Jean. Until her secret was revealed. This is her remarkable story
A sceptical, but enlightening, take on education in the age of the iPad
"The gay-rights activist is making a big mistake to put all his chips in the basket about 'gay is not a choice.' It’s like creationists who peg their belief in God on the falsity of evolution." Short, thought-provoking piece
![Detroit Skyline from the Cultural Center [A630-2194] by Juan N Only](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5221/5621624721_8624676533_s.jpg "Detroit Skyline from the Cultural Center [A630-2194] by Juan N Only")
Detroit is on fire. And not in a good way
On the remarkable case of Victor of Aveyron. Feral child discovered in rural France in 1798. Captured, escaped, recaptured and taken to Paris for study. Couldn't open doors. Eventually learned two words "lait" and "Dieu"
Image by kenteegardin on Flickr
"Fairness is a concept invented so dumb people could participate in arguments"
"Barack Obama has been to civil liberties what the Hindenburg was to air travel"
Somerset Maugham, on quotations
"A pretty gift for quotation is a serviceable substitute for wit"
