Books of the Year

A selection of the best and worst books of the year, chosen by some of our regular contributors

Jonathan Sumption

There is no point in mincing words about the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (60 volumes, £6,500 until 30 November). It is the one of the greatest feats of scholarly publishing ever. Forget the on-line edition. You will miss the special pleasure of straying into the article next door. No, take out a second mortgage, call in the cabinet-maker and buy the volumes. Another book well worth going to moneylenders for is Margaret Smith’s superb edition of The Letters of Charlotte Bront