HISTORY IN THE NEWS AGAIN

The Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the year award went yesterday to a history book. Liaquat Ahamed won the £30,000 prize for his book Lords of Finance about the Wall Street Crash; a book extremley relevant to today's economic woes. Yet more proof, if it were needed, that any issue can be made more relevant and interesting with an historical perspective.

REMEMBER, REMEMBER

November is, of course, the month of toffee, bonfires and fireworks (and Ms Cooper's birthday!) But how much do you know about Guy Fawkes? There are lots of books you could look at as well as web sites. Given the MPs expenses scandal is it about time for another Guy Fawkes. If you want to see an alternative interpretation, take a look at the movie, V for Vendetta.

WARTIME HEROISM?

A new memorial has been opened on the South Bank in London to commemorate those who fought in World War Two but not as members of the regular armies: groups such as the French Resistance and the Special Operations Executive. Though we might think of them simply as heroes, their activities were in fact much more controversial. If you are interested in this topic there is a film on at the Cornerhouse looking at the role of French immigrants, epsecially Armenians in the Resistance. Thinking further, Salford University, for example offers modules on resistance as part of its BA in Contemporary History and Politics.

NEW YORK HERE WE COME

The flights and hotels are booked. We are now just waiting for news about the visits. Keep your eye on your college email for updates and start saving your pennies. (Or pounds or dollars oreven Euros.) All money is due by December 6th.

FREE BOOKS

Since the end of September if you are a member of a local library you are able to borrow books from other libraries. You no longer have to join libraries individually. Just think of all the books you can have access to for your history homework, for your coursework and just for pleasure! As Thomas Jefferson said: "Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of years." So start investing!

DILLINGER

One other thing you might want to do in all these weeks you have off is go see Public Enemies the new film about gangster John Dillinger. He is an interesting contrast to many of the gangsters you studied as he operated in the Mid-west not in Chicago or New York. And according to FBI historian John Fox unlike many others Dillinger had 'style and panache'. (You have a to love a subject where watching Johnny Depp for two hours is homework!!!)

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

July is time again for the Manchester International Festival, a festival of art, music and performance that is unique in that everything on show is being performed for the first time in public. There's lost of great stuff to see. Especially interesting for you is It Felt Like a Kiss by Punchdrunk, Adam Curtis and Damon Albarn. According to the programme it "... tells the story of America’s rise to power in the golden age of pop, and the unforeseen consequences it had on the world and in our minds. Beginning in 1959, the show spotlights the dreams and desires that America inspired during the ’60s, when the world began to embrace the country and its culture as never before. But as this daring production unfolds across five floors, blending music with documentary and the disorientating whirl of a fairground ghost train, the audience is forced to face the dark forces that were veiled by the American dream – a dream that ultimately returns to haunt us all." Got to be worth a look!