History Today

David Marquand cautions against too pat a 'winners and losers' interpretation of recent history, while asserting that a role remains for theory as opposed to narrow empiricism.

Peter Clarke breathes a sigh of relief that the 'inevitable triumph of Labour' view of 20th-century British history is being replaced by one both more pluralist and more appreciative of its idiosyncratic achievements.

The story of Michael Faraday, the genius of electricity, is very much a classic tale of the rise from obscure origins to scientific eminence. But as Frank James notes, an important chapter was the commercial work Faraday did for the army and navy in order to secure his freedom to pursue pure research.

Our boys over there? Mark Ellis looks at how America's black newspapers and population reacted to US involvement in the First World War and at the steps the government took to try and ensure a favourable press.

Penelope Johnston describes China's revered North American hero

Milton Goldin compares American philanthropy past and present.

Ann Hills on fishing tales from Hawaii

John Bossy has painstakingly reconstructed from clues and evidence, a hitherto untold story of intellectual intrigue, spying and double-cross in Elizabethan England.

The incorporation of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1670 reveals much about the personalities and rivalries of Restoration England.

John Roberts finds nationalism a better bet than the idylls of Marx for the longue duree of historical understanding.