Lewis Lapham

Lewis Lapham, former editor of Harper's is launching a new venture, Lapham's
Quarterly
. His most recent book is Pretensions to Empire.

How ‘Revolution’ Became an Adjective

How ‘Revolution’ Became an Adjective How ‘Revolution’ Became an Adjective

Over the decades, this catchall term has lost all bite and meaning.

Mar 17, 2014 / Lewis Lapham

Why Is There No Mark Twain to Skewer Our Gilded Age?

Why Is There No Mark Twain to Skewer Our Gilded Age? Why Is There No Mark Twain to Skewer Our Gilded Age?

It can’t be for lack of subjects.

Dec 19, 2013 / Lewis Lapham

Memento Mori

Memento Mori Memento Mori

The death of American exceptionalism—and of me.

Sep 24, 2013 / Lewis Lapham

The Styrofoaming of the Waters

The Styrofoaming of the Waters The Styrofoaming of the Waters

With overfishing, acidification and garbage-ification, the seven seas aren’t what they once were.

Jun 3, 2013 / Lewis Lapham

The Conquest of Nature, and What We’ve Lost

The Conquest of Nature, and What We’ve Lost The Conquest of Nature, and What We’ve Lost

Are our relations with the animal world going the way of the great auk?

Mar 12, 2013 / Lewis Lapham

The War on Drugs Is a War on Human Nature

The War on Drugs Is a War on Human Nature The War on Drugs Is a War on Human Nature

The unwinnable war transforms a freedom-loving republic into a freedom-fearing national security state.  

Dec 10, 2012 / Lewis Lapham

How American Democracy Became Commercial Property How American Democracy Became Commercial Property

Election politics today are little more than advertising. But it wasn't always that way. 

Sep 20, 2012 / Lewis Lapham

Living in an American Age of Techno-Wonder and Unreason Living in an American Age of Techno-Wonder and Unreason

Magic and the making of an American political culture.

Jun 25, 2012 / Lewis Lapham

Machine-Made News Machine-Made News

The Internet as a toy with a tin ear and a wooden tongue.

Apr 23, 2012 / Lewis Lapham

Stomachs Too Big to Fail Stomachs Too Big to Fail

A person can only eat so much, but the craving for money is boundless—the purse, not the belly, is the void that is never filled.

Jun 13, 2011 / Lewis Lapham

x