Culture
The alt-write
Conservatives are trying to disrupt Hollywood, with some success
Some surprising hits, such as “Sound of Freedom”, are going mainstream
World in a dish
Lebkuchen, a Christmas biscuit, is a window on German history
Nuremberg, the home of these festive delights, also hosted Nazi rallies
Hollywood and politics
When Charlie Chaplin was cancelled
A new book reconstructs the film-maker’s exclusion from America in 1952
State of play
These are The Economist’s favourite video games of 2023
They involve fighting, fishing and fantasy worlds
Good to hear
The best albums of 2023, as chosen by The Economist
Throwback sounds such as folk, punk and soul dominate our list this year
Homelands
A new book offers tales of Tibetans in exile
Amy Yee follows individuals who have fled Tibet, which has been controlled by China since 1951
Shelf help
The best books of 2023, as chosen by The Economist
This year’s picks transport readers to mountain peaks, out to sea and back in time
The sports page
What links Bobby Charlton, Terry Venables and Gareth Southgate
They gave English football fans reason to admire the national team
Plains writing
Willa Cather and Larry McMurtry shared subjects and sensibilities
Both chronicled the American West, even as they sought to escape it