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Alec Marsh

Alec Marsh

The Spectator

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An investigation / Why we read crime fiction

An exhibition dedicated to 20th century British crime fiction has opened at Cambridge University Library. The artefacts on show range widely through...

yesterday 20

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

The irresistible horror of the farm shop

Picture the scene; you’re Kate Middleton and it’s Saturday lunchtime. You’re out enjoying the suburban Windsor. The Audi is safely stowed...

22.03.2024 10

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Diminishing returns

Outside a visit to the dentist, there are few things in life as unappealing as a school reunion. That’s particularly the case when it marks an...

14.03.2024 5

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

What critics get wrong about Zulu

It is a great mystery how Zulu, a tale of imperial derring-do from the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879, has avoided being cancelled. On the face of it, this is...

08.01.2024 5

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Raise a glass to the age-old charm of port

When Christmas comes, there are few guilt-free pleasures that match the sheer wonder of port (aside from re-watching Dr Strangelove in the wee hours...

21.12.2023 8

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Bland bird / It’s time to ditch the Christmas turkey

This year A Christmas Carol is 180 years old, first published in December 1843. It had sold out by Christmas Eve. And it has a lot to answer for, not...

08.12.2023 6

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Napoleon / What Ridley Scott gets wrong about history

The film director Ridley Scott says that those who worry about the historical inaccuracies in his new biopic of Napoleon should ‘get a life’. Or...

21.11.2023 9

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Meeting of minds / We need an international University Challenge

As the autumn nights close in and the heating goes, there are few pleasures so improving for body and soul than half an hour spent in the company of...

07.11.2023 8

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Is a Great British Space Race about to take off?

Brits have, for many years, taken a back seat in the Space Race, but that could soon change. An all-UK team of astronauts could soon be heading into...

26.10.2023 3

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

Badger hair / The joy of shaving brushes

Have you ever considered the harm that men’s daily shaving regime does to the world? I know, if you considered the harm of everything you do on a...

10.10.2023 10

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

The driver’s case for 20mph limits

Speeding kills, we’re told. But in the right circumstances, exceeding the limit is no bad thing. Take motorways: few drivers seem to stick to 70mph,...

18.09.2023 8

The Spectator

Alec Marsh

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