How Useful Is Theory In Moments of Crisis? How Useful Is Theory In Moments of Crisis?
A conversation with sociologist Dylan Riley about the state of left politics, defending social theory as a political tool, and his new book Microverses.
Oct 28, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Ishan Desai-Geller
The Shadows of Stanley Cavell The Shadows of Stanley Cavell
A posthumous collection of essays, Here and Now: Sites of Philosophy, reveals both what was insightful and what was profoundly lacking in the project of ordinary language philosoph...
Oct 27, 2022 / Books & the Arts / John-Baptiste Oduor
Schjeldahl’s Art Schjeldahl’s Art
At a time when art criticism was becoming more and more scholastic in tone, Peter Schjeldahl proudly upheld the banner of belletristic criticism.
Oct 26, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
The Hidden Politics of Smell The Hidden Politics of Smell
In Sensorium, a book by the perfumer Tanaïs, tells a deeply personal story of scent and the role it played in colonial histories.
Oct 25, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Naib Mian
The Enigma of John Donne The Enigma of John Donne
Racy, profane, and spiritual, the Metaphysical poet has remained a mystery to generations of readers.
Oct 24, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Zachary Fine
The Past, Present, and Future of the Labor Movement The Past, Present, and Future of the Labor Movement
Kim Kelly’s survey of labor organizing in America—telling the stories of workers on the margins, from miners to sex workers—offers hope and inspiration for working-class victories ...
Oct 20, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Nick Juravich
The Ghosts of “Irma Vep” The Ghosts of “Irma Vep”
Olivier Assayas's clever and beguiling HBO miniseries responds to the state of cinema in the age of streaming.
Oct 19, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
MI5’s War Against British Intellectuals and Artists MI5’s War Against British Intellectuals and Artists
The British Security Service’s futile record of harassment and surveillance.
Oct 18, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Richard J. Evans
How the United States Fails the Chronically Ill How the United States Fails the Chronically Ill
In her new book, the poet and critic Meghan O’Rourke charts her and many Americans’ struggle with chronic illness.
Oct 17, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Libby Watson
Hermann Burger’s Frenzied Harmonies Hermann Burger’s Frenzied Harmonies
His roman à clef Brenner documents the last days of a hyper-articulate and depressive scion of a cigar fortune.
Oct 13, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Charlie Lee