Volume 46 Issue 12 December 1996

John Tosh examines the intriguing tensions between masculinity and domesticity in 19th-century Britain.

Dan Leab looks at a classic Cold War movie and the shadowy figure who inspired it.

Robin Bruce Lockhart celebrates the past and present of the immortal dram and its historic links with our seasonal festivities at Christmas and New Year.

Tony Lentin gives an upgraded assessment of Russia's empress 200 years after her death.

Denise Silvester-Carr introduces the new Famine Museum at Strokestown, County Roscommon.

Richard Cavendish remembers the events of December 19th, 1796

Richard Cavendish explores a quantity of bygones in the museum of social history.

The Eternal City was captured after a year-long siege on December 17th, 546.

David Price on the links between the can-can of the 1890s and 1990s lap dancing.