Books & the Arts

Bad Boy, Good Manners Bad Boy, Good Manners

Few of the good things that reward the rising--or risen--young artist have not fallen to John Currin in recent days.

Jan 15, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Arthur C. Danto

The Myth of the New Anti-Semitism The Myth of the New Anti-Semitism

In 1879 the German journalist Wilhelm Marr, a former socialist and anarchist, founded an organization that was novel in two ways.

Jan 15, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Brian Klug

The Closest of Strangers The Closest of Strangers

Tony Kushner's latest play, Caroline, or Change, left me contemplating its curious title, which suggests an indecisive playwright. Why not just Caroline, or simply Change?

Jan 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Baz Dreisinger

A Near Perfect Spy Novelist A Near Perfect Spy Novelist

A year ago now, when the Bush Administration was preparing the world for an American invasion of Iraq, John le Carré wrote a column of scathing, sharp-toothed commentary f...

Jan 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Patrick Smith

A Magical Realist and His Reality A Magical Realist and His Reality

As ways of writing about a past, memoirs and autobiographies, although in practice they may often overlap, are different undertakings.

Jan 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Perry Anderson

What Are They Reading? What Are They Reading?

This is a book that should be on every activist's bed table, like Gideon bibles in hotels.

Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Richard Lingeman

The Haunting The Haunting

The likeness of Nathaniel Hawthorne hanging in the AmLit museum resembles the shadowy, fading portrait of a distinguished ancestor.

Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Richard Lingeman

The War of Words The War of Words

Many rhetorical bombshells were lobbed by British and American poets during the political turmoil of the 1930s, but few detonated as loudly as this cluster of words: "Today t...

Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella

Where Did Our Love Go? Where Did Our Love Go?

One notable casualty of the diplomatic tug-of-war between France and the United States over the American-led invasion and occupation of Iraq has been verbal restraint.

Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Sartarelli

The New Year The New Year

Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / R.O. Blechman

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