A stab in the dark

Jack El-Hai investigates one of the darkest chapters in the history of psychiatry in The Lobotomist. Walter Freeman is revealed as a plodding careerist, says Dylan Evans.

‘I just tell stories’

Bernard Cornwell's historical thrillers have brought him fame and fortune. As his latest hits the shops, he tells Helen Pidd that writing them is a breeze - if you steal from the right novels.

The long march to evil

A compelling study of China's red emperor from Jung Chang and Jon Halliday exposes the true scale of Mao's oppression and genocidal manias, says Roy Hattersley.

From the pits to the peaks

Andy Cave writes movingly of his life as a miner and ace mountaineer in Learning to Breathe, says Alan White.

Crazy like a fox

Emmanuel Carrère examines Philip K Dick in I Am Alive and You Are Dead. Michael Moorcock on one of science fiction's strangest sons.

Telling stories

Natasha Walter enjoys Margaret Atwood's generous collection of writing, Curious Pursuits.

The Bard goes global

Gary Taylor follows James Shapiro's tour of 12 crucial months in Shakespeare's career, 1599.

Bad element

Jung Chang and Jon Halliday have revealed Mao as one of the 20th century's greatest monsters, says Michael Yahuda.

The critic as hunting dog

John Haffenden charts how William Empson changed the boundaries of Eng Lit forever in the first volume of his diligent biography, says James Wood.

Peer review

Uncertain Science ... Uncertain World by Henry N Pollack.

The Fonda syndrome

Jane Fonda charts her transformation from blonde sex-bomb to Californian dreamer in My Life So Far. Natasha Walter reflects on the many incarnations of a Hollywood star.

Angry man in the Van

Johnny Rogan supplies everything you wanted to know about Van Morrison - and even more that you didn't. David Sinclair digests an almost comically unflattering profile.

The singular success

Paul Levy's selection of Lytton Strachey's correspondence is enjoyably revealing, says Victoria Glendinning.