Political

From isolation to Great Power status: Richard Perren explains how a mania for Westernisation led to Japan's transformation at the turn of the century.

Martin Evans looks at the aftermath of the struggle for Algerian independence from France.

Dipesh Chakrabarty looks at the dialogue between nationalism and the inspiration of Marx in the formation of the world's largest democracy.

A ruler in transition - Howell Lloyd looks at the icons of power that masked the face of French kingship around 1500.

Leonore Davidoff on how women's history has been interwoven with debates on society and identity and its prospects for durability.

Michel Petheram assesses the importance and reliability of a courtier whose 'memoires' offer graphic vignettes of the last days of Louis XIV.

Andrew Boyd on past efforts to bring Ireland's warring factions to the peace table.

Robert Service looks at how Gorbachev's revolution has left an open agenda for Soviet historians.

Jeremy Black takes a fresh look at the career and reputation of the 'great outsider' of Hanoverian Britain.

Sir Steven Runciman profiles a fabled Englishman, concerned with the political and military relationships between East and West.