The best history and politics books of 2025

The revolutionary spirit in politics and architecture; histories of free speech and civil war; plus how the Tories fell apart and Starmer won

We live in a hyper-political yet curiously unrevolutionary age, one of hashtags rather than barricades. Perhaps that’s why so many writers this year have looked wistfully back to a time when strongly held convictions still made waves in the real world.

In The Revolutionists (Bodley Head), Jason Burke revisits the 1970s, when it seemed the future of the Middle East might end up red instead of green – communist rather than Islamist. It’s a geopolitical period piece: louche men with corduroy jackets and sideburns, women with theories and submachine guns. Many were in it less for the Marxism than for the sheer mayhem. Reading about the hijackings and kidnappings they orchestrated makes today’s orange-paint protests seem quaint by comparison.

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How to Set Up a WhatsApp Message Reminder: A Step-by-Step Guide

WhatsApp released its new 'Remind Me' feature to select beta testers earlier this year as part of the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.21.14 update. While the functionality is still being tested, it is expected to be rolled out via a stable channel to other users in the coming months. The instant messaging platform, with this feature, will allow users to set a time when...

Who Is Amar Subramanya? Indian-Origin Researcher Taking Reigns of Apple’s AI Division

Apple has appointed AI researcher Amar Subramanya as its new Vice President of AI, replacing John Giannandrea. Subramanya, who previously led Google’s Gemini Assistant and briefly worked at Microsoft, will report to Craig Federighi. Apple says his expertise will support upcoming Apple Intelligence features as the company works to catch up in the competitive AI lands...