Volume 61 Issue 8 August 2011

Gordon Marsden revisits Henry Fairlie's prescient obituary of Aneurin Bevan, first published in History Today in October 1960.

Robin Waterfield looks at the influence of the mother of Alexander the Great in the years following her son’s death.

A sea voyage in the 12th century was a perilous undertaking, as a Spanish Muslim courtier’s account of his crossing of the Mediterranean demonstrates. Yet, explains David Abulafia, it was also a test of one’s religious devotion, whether Muslim or Christian.

A series of archaeological discoveries off the coast of Sicily reveal how Rome turned a piece of lethal naval technology pioneered by its enemy, Carthage, to its own advantage, explains Ann Natanson.

David Kynaston seeks answers to questions about the fragile future of an institution beloved by historical researchers.

History tells us that the West’s embrace of liberal values was not inevitable and is unlikely to last, says Tim Stanley.

Robin Bayley tells how his great grandfather, a Mancunian businessman, became caught up in the tumultuous period of worker unrest that paved the way for the Mexican Revolution.

Thomas Ruys Smith looks at the impact of Hurricane Katrina in the light of the city’s historic troubles.

Syria was among the most unstable states in the Middle East until Hafez al-Assad came to power in 1970. But, asks James Gelvin, can his son, Bashar, maintain the regime’s iron rule in the face of growing dissent?

The poor economic record of Greece goes back a very long way, says Matthew Lynn.