The Republic: the Fight for Irish Independence 1918-1923 by Charles Townshend – review
Townshend's magnificent, unflinching history of the fight for Irish independence holds out the prospect for truth and reconciliation. By Colin Kidd
I wrote the Anarchist Cookbook in 1969. Now I see its premise as flawed
William Powell: When I penned the book, I was angry and alienated. Today I realize that violence can't be used to prevent violence
Why the author of The Anarchist Cookbook wants it taken off the shelves
Emine Saner: It's been linked to numerous terrorist incidents and to last week's high school killing in Colorado. William Powell, who wrote it as a teenager in 1971, says it's indefensible to keep it in print
Shia LaBeouf apologises for short film that copied Daniel Clowes story
Actor says he 'got lost in the creative process' after Clowes complained about his uncredited adaptation of the comic book author's story Justin M Damiano
Sandman movie wakes up with Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's cult comic book series gets a shot in the arm as Batman star signs on as producer
Rewind radio: Live coverage of Nelson Mandela’s memorial service; Book at Bedtime; Alice’s Wunderland – review
The World Service's expert reporting of Mandela's memorial service showed why its grant shouldn't be cut, writes Miranda Sawyer
Spare Rib contributors sought so editions can be digitised and saved
British Library aims to trace writers, photographers and artists whose work appeared in magazine from 1972 to 1993
Kindles makes up for lack of books in Ghana’s reading revolution
Guardian Christmas appeal: school turns to technology to tackle poor literacy among students – and achieves remarkable results
Guantánamo’s books blacklist suggests censors’ random sense of security
Clive Stafford Smith: From Jack and the Beanstalk to John Grisham, the Guantánamo banned books list makes no sense. But send me a book for the Camp Delta library, and I'll see if it makes it past the censor
Murder on the Orient Express to be remade by 20th Century Fox
Ridley Scott named among producers of latest film version of Agatha Christie's detective novel
What Bill Clinton wants to teach Nick Clegg about the end of power
Paula Cocozza: The former US president recommended a book called The End of Power to the deputy prime minister recently. What lessons can Clegg take away from this volume?
Russell Brand banned from Guantánamo Bay
According to Shaker Aamer, the British comedian's memoirs have fallen foul of the censors at Camp Delta. But I fail to see the funny side
Judy Blume meets Lena Dunham? My brain is short-circuiting
Emma Brockes: Their work describes young adulthood and sex for two different generations. Blume's impact on my youth still makes me blush
The best books on Democratic Republic of the Congo: start your reading here
Pushpinder Khaneka's DRC guide focuses on a 1950s missionary family, greed and corruption in the 1960s, and the fallout from 1990s genocide
Peter Frank obituary
Academic and broadcaster who made Russian politics intelligible to a British audience