History Today

Dai Smith, senior lecturer at University College, Cardiff, offers his thoughts.

Ronald Hutton on why it is a miracle for professional historians to publish books.

The legacy of empire brought nearly half a million blacks and Asians to Britain in the fifties in search of a better life.

Peter Burke discusses historical amnesia and cultural roots.

Kenneth Lunn looks at the dynamics of the labour movement's reaction to new migrants.

'Art for art's sake' – but not for many historians. The fine and decorative arts, their styles and iconography, have been mined for insight into the politics, religion and social obsessions of the past. Placing key images alongside the views of six contributors we continue the search.

Paul Preston assesses how time has obscured the legacy of the Spanish military rebel and leader.

Simon Schaffer explores the occult.