Books and Ideas

Playing Doctor

Playing Doctor Playing Doctor

When it comes to the distant past, there’s a lot we don’t know about what occurred sexually.

May 30, 2012 / Books & the Arts / JoAnn Wypijewski

The Bain of Mitt Romney’s Existence The Bain of Mitt Romney’s Existence

He’s running on all of his triumphs at Bain, But some say the Democrats ought to refrain From saying Bain’s gain was at times inhumane (Because of its strategy aiming to drain A company’s treasure, no matter what pain Is caused to the workers whom it won’t retain). Yes, Bain did some good, its defenders explain: Some pension funds shared in its capital gain. So vulture’s a label for Mitt they disdain— Though buzzard’s OK, and is just as germane.

May 30, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Amazon

The Amazon Effect The Amazon Effect

Amazon got big fast, hastening the arrival of digital publishing. But how big is too big?

May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Steve Wasserman

How Germany Keeps Amazon at Bay and Literary Culture Alive

How Germany Keeps Amazon at Bay and Literary Culture Alive How Germany Keeps Amazon at Bay and Literary Culture Alive

In Germany, fixed-price laws curtail the power of retail chains and help to sustain a vibrant literary culture.

May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michael Naumann

Bad Paper: On Philip Coggan

Bad Paper: On Philip Coggan Bad Paper: On Philip Coggan

Is the current financial crisis a problem of liquidity or one of solvency?

May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Mihm

Tempest Williams: The Mormon Church Is a Corporation (VIDEO) Tempest Williams: The Mormon Church Is a Corporation (VIDEO)

The Mormon Church is a corporation, says author and essayist Terry Tempest Williams, and there is reason to fear a Romney presidency....

May 28, 2012 / Blog / Laura Flanders

Orlando Figes and Stalin’s Victims

Orlando Figes and Stalin’s Victims Orlando Figes and Stalin’s Victims

A book by the famous British historian was not published in Russia because the Moscow publisher discovered too many errors and misrepresentations—not, as Figes suggested, for...

May 23, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Peter Reddaway and Stephen F. Cohen

Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright: Reprise Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright: Reprise

A black divine named Jeremiah Wright Preached scary sermons some would like to cite. They say Obama’s even now Wright’s knight— A Christian pastor’s Muslim acolyte. It’s one way to remind us he’s not white. If this won’t work, there’re other things that might. The Super PACs will find a way. Sit tight.

May 23, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Extreme Indolence: On the Fiction of Albert Cossery

Extreme Indolence: On the Fiction of Albert Cossery Extreme Indolence: On the Fiction of Albert Cossery

For Albert Cossery, the world is split between those who respect a cause and those who don’t give a tinker's damn.

May 22, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Mark Polizzotti

This Week in Poverty: A Little Help for the Long-Term Unemployed? This Week in Poverty: A Little Help for the Long-Term Unemployed?

230,000 long-term unemployed workers lost their benefits on Sunday and the system is about to get a whole lot worse.

May 18, 2012 / Blog / Greg Kaufmann

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