This Month
The truth about Saudi Arabia’s rulers is worse than you thought
The regime is at once “ruthless and reckless” - but that hasn’t stopped the Scramble for Arabia as business, sports and political figures chase their fortunes in the desert.
- Rory McCarthy
January
It may feel like the end of the world, but that’s nothing new
With so much pessimism around, we can take some comfort from a new book that notes apocalyptic visions are as old as civilisation and have never come true.
- Ben Yagoda
How we misread ‘The Great Gatsby’
There are many theories about what makes the classic American novel so great, and its ability to keep producing different reasons is part of the answer.
- Sarah Churchwell
A six-figure salary and five-star hotels. Why I gave it all up to be happy
Growing up, Sahil Bloom was convinced material wealth was the secret to a happy stress-free life. But then he asked himself five key questions.
- Miranda Levy
What our region can learn from Europe’s failure with Putin
While directing his critique at Europe, Keir Giles usefully illuminates the wider malaise afflicting other nations in coming to terms with the new world.
- Peter Tesch
Pope’s new memoir unlikely to quell Catholic dissent
In his new autobiography, Pope Francis outlines a recipe for “infinite possibilities” that will please neither conservatives nor radicals.
- Rowan Williams
Summer special: AFR critics on best viewing, books and music
In the first of a two-part summer series, The Fin podcast talks to critics around the Financial Review newsroom to get their top picks from the past year.
The books Australian economists loved in 2024
The Shortest History of Economics by Andrew Leigh ranked as one of the most popular books among our most prolific readers.
- Cecile Lefort
December 2024
- Christmas Gift Guide 2024
- eBooks
Books to treasure or give this holiday season
Elevate your mood and mind with our selection of new coffee table editions, ranging from spectacular photography to quirky knowledge.
- Updated
- Stephen Clark
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Life & Leisure
Max Allen picks the best wine books to give
One Thousand Vines will change the way the reader thinks about – and enjoys – wine. Plus, three vintages to sip along the way.
- Updated
- Max Allen
Barnesy, Farnesy... blue Wiggle? The best music books of 2024
Some icons of music wrote their story this year – or had it written for them. Here’s our pick of the greatest music book hits for when the Christmas carols are done.
- Michael Bailey
The year’s best books as chosen by the Financial Review newsroom
From highly anticipated novels to memorable memoirs, here are the top picks from our journalists to make your summer reading list sizzle.
- Staff writers
Angela Merkel’s autobiography is a ‘stunning disappointment’
The former German chancellor provides only the most superficial explanations for her controversial actions and decisions, particularly those to do with Vladimir Putin.
- John Kampfner
Oliver Sacks’ letters from a beautiful mind
The great neurologist offered a lesson in treating our fellow humans with care and true attention.
- Erica Wagner
November 2024
Why Jordan Peterson thinks the West is going to hell
The controversial commentator’s new book argues Western civilisation is in mortal danger because people have turned to false gods.
- John Gray
The US dollar is already a loaded weapon. What next?
The apparent decay in the institutions that underpin the power and credibility of the dollar – and its issuer – are the focus of a recent book.
- Carey K Mott
- Opinion
- Opinion
On Remembrance Day: new ways to understand an old war
Scholarship on the Great War extends far beyond the traditional focus on heroic but doomed Anzacs.
- Peter Stanley
From Cats to the Babe sequel, the most disastrous films of all time
Andrew Lloyd Webber was left so traumatised by what Hollywood did to Cats that he bought an emotional support dog.
- Leaf Arbuthnot
October 2024
Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point sequel oversimplifies the times
The C-suite’s favourite thinker has written a follow-up to his runaway bestseller of 2000. One problem: it’s like the internet still doesn’t exist.
- Gal Beckerman
A tour of the weird places the global elite hide wealth
A new book explores the ‘special zones’ created to bring in money and industry.
- Jordan Weissmann