Reviews

Books: Men from the Ministry

Simon Thurley's colourful history of the organisation he works for is also a politically motivated reminder to government about the importance of heritage, writes Ben Cowell

On my bookshelf

Waterland by Graham Swift

Best in show

Alchemical lion image from the Ripley Scroll, 15th century, Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Memory Palace, Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Sharon Heal on an innovative exhibition that sees artists respond to a dystopian future where all knowledge has been lost

Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth, West Yorkshire

Mark Suggitt on a largely successful redecoration of the much-loved Brontë family home

The Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster

Enthusiastic staff and volunteers help to bring to life the story of Kidderminster’s carpet industry, writes Tim Bryan

Dairy Art Centre, London

This potentially exciting new contemporary art space needs to work harder on improving facilities for its visitors, says Julia Edge

Catalogue: Stradivarius

Declan McCarthy on the challenges of getting high quality images for this publication to accompany the Ashmolean's exhibition about Stradivarius

On my bookshelf

The Museum Experience by John H Falk and Lynn D Dierking

Books: The Exemplary Museum: Art and Academia

This study of the role of art collections at US universities will hold few surprises for British readers, writes Timothy Mason

Castle Drogo, Devon

This historic property is in desperate need of restoration but that has not stopped the National Trust creating an interesting visitor experience while the work is carried out, writes Peter Mason

The Infirmary, University of Worcester

This exhibition about medical history is one of a number of projects that have been transforming cultural provision in Worcester, says Oliver Green