The week that was | 5 August 2011

Here are some of the posts made on Spectator.co.uk during the past week:

The Spectator publishes its summer reading list, featuring the revelation that David Cameron reads books backwards.

Fraser Nelson says that the ghost of Gordon Brown still hovers over the 50p tax debate.

Peter Hoskin reveals which government department could be replaced with a mathematical equation, and sifts through a bet-hedging report from the IMF.

Peter Hoskin and Jonathan Jones write an open letter to Will Straw about deficit reduction.

David Blackburn wonders whether capital punishment is to be debated in Parliament, and says that the government is split over policing the Internet.

Daniel Korski says that the massacre in Hama hastens the need to tackle Assad.

Martin Bright sees a connection between Amy Winehouse and Norway’s recent tragedy.

Alex Massie says that the death penalty is matter of emotion, not reason.

The Spectator Arts Blog advises Jennifer Aniston to learn