By James Aitchison Long before Ian Fleming, John Buchan, Graham Greene, Eric Ambler, Len Deighton and John le Carré, there was Erskine Childers. His book, The Riddle of the Sands, published in May 1903, is arguably the first spy novel…
By James Aitchison Langston Hughes, the Poet Laureate of African America, had a great ear for rhythms and stress, able to propel ideas and demands for racial justice through urgent jagged verse, a “jazz” poet who harnessed popular music such…
By Yoobin (Annika) Song The socialists of the 19th and 20th centuries launched a formidable challenge against industrial capitalism, employing art as a powerful tool for critical analysis and critique. In works such as “A Pyramid of Capitalist Society,” (fig….
By: Roopa Menon The First Way Wear your best clothes. Statistics reveal that people who wear their favorite attire just before killing themselves suffer less. If you are not a sucker for statistics, don’t bother. Choosing where you commit the…
By: Nolo Segundo Modern societies in general and especially it seems those in the West suffer under the widespread delusion that people today are ‘better’ than their ancestors who lived long ago—not just better off in a material sense…
By James Aitchison Few Westerners are revered in China. But one Canadian doctor remains a national hero to this day, honoured in school history books and by statues throughout the country. How his name, Bethune, was translated into Chinese indicates…
By James Aitchison For most of us, the British honours system is as baffling as it is somewhat incongruous. In today’s world, many of its heraldic institutions seem relics of past glory. Arguably, the most curious of these is an…
By: Matthew Yoon Throughout human history, many events that took place in certain periods led to today’s world. In The Great Gatsby, the author F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the negative effects of those who pursued the American Dream through a…
(Featured Photo Credits: Roberto Rossellini, Rome Open City (1945)) By John Califano During the early stages of the “pandemic” and the ensuing global lockdowns, I spent serious time in my apartment unsure of exactly what the hell was going on….
In the literary world, awards play an important role in highlighting and celebrating exceptional works. Beyond the accolades and prestige, literary awards serve as powerful instruments for promoting diverse voices, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging fresh perspectives. In many of the…