Ex-cricketer Ed Smith writes about Olympic triumph and a new British identity, Malcolm Beith reports on the increasingly violent drugs war in Mexico, plus summer fiction special and the Edinburgh festival all in tomorrow’s issue

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Current affairs and newspaper magazine of the year In this week's issue: Olympic triumph and a new British identity   FEATURING ex-cricketer Ed Smith, political thinker Tim Soutphommasane, John Burnside, Matt Trueman, Rachel Cooke and Malcolm Beith.   Don't miss: -  George Eaton interviews  Tim Soutphommasane who is advising Ed Miliband and Jon Cruddas on the left's approach to patriotism -  Rachel Cooke reviews the Olympics coverage - from the great Claire Balding to the underprepared Gary Lineker -  Ex-cricketer Ed Smith writes about Olympic triumph and a new British identity -  Malcolm Beith reports on the drugs war in Mexico and the terrible violence it is inflicting on the country -  Matt Trueman rounds up some key plays to see at the Edinburgh Festival -  John Burnside writes about the need to preserve the wild places of Berlin  PLUS Summer fiction special, including Sarah Churchwell on Howard Jacobson's Zoo Time, reviews of new novels by Jeanette Winterson and Nicola Barker and interview with Pulitzer-prize winning author Marilynne Robinson Find the issue, cover dated 13 August, on sale for £3.50 in all good newsagents in London on Friday and the rest of the country on Monday. Or buy the issue in digital form here - ideal for those living outside the UK. Trial a subscription to the New Statesman and receive 12 issues for only £12  (UK only) delivered straight to your door - that's a saving of £2.50 on the usual cover price! International and national readers can also call +44 (0)207 936 6459 or click  here to obtain a print copy. New Statesman LTD, registered in England No. 03143654, John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street, London, EC4Y 0AN. Kindly note that if you receive this e-mail your e-mail address is being held by us for the purpose of communicating with you on New Statesman related matters. If you do not wish us to e-mail you, please unsubscribe from this list. New Statesman Limited is a Data Controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. © New Statesman Ltd. 2010. The above information may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this email please destroy it. As Internet communications are not secure please note that the New Statesman does not accept legal responsibility for the content of this email message.