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The Lies They Told
Sometimes, the implausibility is the point. Also this week: the even truer-size map; and some extremely late but mercifully-brief film reviews.
Jan 14
•
Jonn Elledge
34
16
4
Shifting alliances and once neutral territories
This week: is this really the year the western alliance finally breathes its last? Also: a brief history of the lost microstate of Neutral Moresnet.
Jan 7
•
Jonn Elledge
28
2
6
December 2025
Some thoughts on the border conflicts of 2025
A bit written specially for the Spanish edition of the book.
Dec 31, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
28
4
5
Nothing But Repeats These Days
I’m on my hols, so here’s some festive bits from the archive: some notes on reindeer; and some notes on the Gävle goat. Plus some links to new stuff.
Dec 23, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
31
5
4
Book Club: A Last Minute Gift For Your Nine Year Old
An extract from ‘History's Most Epic Fails’, by Athena Kugblenu.
Dec 19, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
8
The HS2 Christmas Special
Some Christmas song lyrics that hit differently when imagined in the trailer for a film about a stalker. But first, I’m off to Buckinghamshire to find…
Dec 17, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
27
6
4
Guest Post: A Brief History of the Italian/Slovenian Borderlands
A visit from Lewis Baston, author of ‘Borderlines: A History of Europe in 29 Borders’.
Dec 13, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
and
Lewis Baston
26
6
5
No, Prime Minister, Things Weren’t Fine Before
Also this week: some notes on an evil death monkey; and the interactive map of the Roman Empire you’ve always dreamed of.
Dec 10, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
32
6
8
Book Club: Your Foolproof Guide to Explaining Why the World Didn’t End
An extract from A Brief History of the End of the F*cking World, by Tom Phillips.
Dec 7, 2025
•
Tom Phillips
and
Jonn Elledge
14
5
2
Smörgåsbord
This week: a long weekend on the Øresund; and mansion tax map. But first: Christmas comes early.
Dec 3, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
27
11
3
November 2025
The Bullshit Maximiser
This week, a very quick take on what the Budget says about the state we are in; but mostly, a not-at-all quick list of all the reasons I despise AI.
Nov 26, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
38
18
7
The Weekly Howl
The British government just did something I agree with, and it feels almost gross to mention it. Also: who invented the week? And some Beeching-themed…
Nov 19, 2025
•
Jonn Elledge
45
9
6
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