From clan castles and conflict to Hadrian's Wall and Brexit

'The Enigmatic Echidna asks us to look past the assumption that its subject is no more than an evolutionary curio to reveal an animal rich in cultural and scientific significance. Written with rigour and expansive curiosity, it contains multitudes.' —James Bradley

Four standout new books this May – from urgent reportage to gripping history and extraordinary nature writing: Sirens by Martin McKenzie-Murray, a moving glimpse into the lives of three first responders, the triumphant The Shortest History of Ireland by James Hawes, The Enigmatic Echidna from biologist and natural history author Danielle Clode and The Shortest History of Scotland by Murray Pittock – a dazzling account of Scotland’s defining past.

Out this month: A. D. Hope by Susan Lever, Ruin of Magic by Kate Holden and High Time by Desmond Manderson

Martin McKenzie-Murray – The Saturday Paper’s associate editor, two-time Walkley finalist and winner of the Melbourne Press Club’s Quill Award – chats with us about his forthcoming book, Sirens: Inside the Shadow World of First Responders, which publishes on 28 April. 

Kate Holden, author of two highly praised memoirs, In My Skin and The Romantic, and the Walkley Award–winning The Winter Road, chats with us about writing, nostalgia and malaise in our modern times – subjects she explores at length in her collection of literary essays, The Ruin of Magic, which publishes 7 April.

Australia has forgotten what keeps it safe. So argues Michael Wesley in this sharp and compelling essay about our place in the world.

Out this month: Blind Spot by Michael Wesley, Skylarking by Kate Mildenhall and Where's all the Community? by Julie Andrews

From the wheel to gene editing, new ideas shape our world.

Out this month: The Shortest History of Innovation by Andrew Leigh and See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill