Ronald Johnson’s American Romanticism Ronald Johnson’s American Romanticism
Even those of us who enjoy Ralph Waldo Emerson will apologize for his poetry. His essays—most of which began as lectures—are erudite but predominantly concerned with honesty and co…
Feb 26, 2025 / Books & the Arts / David B. Hobbs
The Dubious Return of the Brutalists The Dubious Return of the Brutalists
Why the stark 20th-century architectural style is back in vogue.
Feb 3, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Brook
The Right to Pee Is Everything The Right to Pee Is Everything
Trans peoples' basic right to exist in the world is under assault. Bathrooms are at the heart of that fight.
Feb 3, 2025 / Grace Byron
Why Is the Right Obsessed With Epic Poetry? Why Is the Right Obsessed With Epic Poetry?
From Elon Musk to Jordan Peterson, a certain strand of conservatism has recruited the poetry of Homer and Dante in their culture war.
Jan 6, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Orlando Reade
President Biden Should Pardon Ethel Rosenberg President Biden Should Pardon Ethel Rosenberg
A newly released classified document shows that the National Security Agency knew Ethel Rosenberg was not a spy—and that the government executed her anyway.
Jan 2, 2025 / Phillip Deery
Peter Schjeldahl’s Pleasure Principle Peter Schjeldahl’s Pleasure Principle
His art criticism fixated on the narcissism of the entire enterprise. But over six decades, his work proved that a critic could be an artist too.
Dec 9, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Zachary Fine
Slavery in an Age of Emancipation Slavery in an Age of Emancipation
Robin Blackburn’s sweeping history of slavery and freedom in the 19th century.
Nov 19, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Manisha Sinha
The Case Against Joe Biden for Complicity in Genocide The Case Against Joe Biden for Complicity in Genocide
The ICC has applied for an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. But Israel’s assault on Gaza has been made possible by US support.
Nov 18, 2024 / James Bamford
The Irrepressible Elaine May The Irrepressible Elaine May
Her films reveled in the possibility of capturing the spontaneous beauty of improvisation.
Oct 21, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Alex Kong
The Ornery Intrigues of “Slow Horses” The Ornery Intrigues of “Slow Horses”
Emblematic of post–prestige television drama, AppleTV+’s spy thriller relies on the dyspeptic repartee and verbal sparring instead of sophisticated plot twists.
Sep 16, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Cotte