“Ivan Turgenev's novella 'First Love' is one of the most perfect things ever writ…” — Hisham Matar

Turgenev's achievement lies in how he succeeded, in spite of himself, his country, and his time, in exempting his work from public duty. This has given it that unnameable quality that makes every sentence true, every silence trustworthy.

We have defeated Gaddafi on the battlefield; now we must defeat him in our imagination. We must not allow his legacy to corrupt our dream. Let's keep focused on the true prize: unity, democracy, and the rule of law. Let's not seek revenge; that would diminish our future.

The cost of Colonel Gaddafi's rule on Libyan society is incalculable.

Over the centuries, close-knit tribes have played an important part in the cohesion of Libyan society.