A voyage of discovery: an idiot’s guide to reading The Odyssey

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theguardian.com/books/2026/jul…

A voyage of discovery: an idiot’s guide to reading The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of the ancient Greek epic has sparked a new appetite for an old classic. Here are the translations, podcasts and audiobooks that make the Homeric world more approachable

^{Ioan Marc Jones (The Guardian)}

I investigated Palantir’s foothold in the British state – and what I found should worry us all | Peter Geoghegan

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theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

I investigated Palantir’s foothold in the British state – and what I found should worry us all

Paid-for political access and threadbare regulations have helped to embed the US tech firm in the NHS – and beyond. But there is a way to free ourselves, says Peter Geoghegan of Democracy for Sale

^{Peter Geoghegan (The Guardian)}

"We’re up against forces that have all the money in the world’: Erin Brockovich on her battle against AI datacentres"
theguardian.com/environment/20…

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‘We’re up against forces that have all the money in the world’: Erin Brockovich on her battle against AI datacentres

In 1993, she squeezed a $333m settlement from a Californian energy company in a scandal over contaminated water. Three decades later, she has a new target in her sights – and it’s global

^{Zoe Williams (The Guardian)}

Ai Weiwei: Button Up! review – skeleton chandeliers, a real-life temple – and too much silly Lego

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theguardian.com/artanddesign/2…

Ai Weiwei: Button Up! review – skeleton chandeliers, a real-life temple – and too much silly Lego

The artist’s latest show is a staggering takedown of colonial history, warfare and the migrant crisis, featuring buttons by the tonne and richly perfumed tea

^{Eddy Frankel (The Guardian)}

There is no immediate military threat to Britain. We should spend less on defence | Simon Jenkins

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theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

There is no immediate military threat to Britain. We should spend less on defence

Parliament, media and thinktanks are united in their view that more military spending is still not enough. But sacrificing domestic projects to pay for it is indefensible, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

^{Simon Jenkins (The Guardian)}