Culture
The Nostalgic Architecture of the Obama Presidential Center The Nostalgic Architecture of the Obama Presidential Center
Where hope even has a gift shop.
John Edgar Wideman’s American Vernacular John Edgar Wideman’s American Vernacular
The master novelist offers a view of a United States defined by its cultures of improvisation.
David Ellison’s Delusional Stab at Self-Justification David Ellison’s Delusional Stab at Self-Justification
While the Skydance–Warner Bros. merger is in legal limbo, the CEO seeking to pull it off makes a disingenuous case for it in the court of public opinion.
What Happened to the American University? What Happened to the American University?
Once the envy of the world, higher education in the United States is now in a state of endless crisis.
Books
John Edgar Wideman’s American Vernacular John Edgar Wideman’s American Vernacular
The master novelist offers a view of a United States defined by its cultures of improvisation.
What Happened to the American University? What Happened to the American University?
Once the envy of the world, higher education in the United States is now in a state of endless crisis.
Daniel Poppick’s Novel of White-Collar Work Daniel Poppick’s Novel of White-Collar Work
The first novel by the poet asks us what fantasies get us through the day.
Film
David Ellison’s Delusional Stab at Self-Justification David Ellison’s Delusional Stab at Self-Justification
While the Skydance–Warner Bros. merger is in legal limbo, the CEO seeking to pull it off makes a disingenuous case for it in the court of public opinion.
Do Epics Need Heroes? Do Epics Need Heroes?
In recent years, the online right has contested adaptations of epic in order to make an argument about masculinity. The Odyssey is their latest target.
This Isn’t About Rosebud, David Ellison This Isn’t About Rosebud, David Ellison
Antitrust law exists so that a free press and an open market never hang on the temperament of one well-meaning billionaire.
Mamdani’s Team Redefined Political Video. Now They’re Betting on Short Films. Mamdani’s Team Redefined Political Video. Now They’re Betting on Short Films.
Premiering exclusively in The Nation, a new short film produced by City Hall and narrated by Morgan Spector highlights the efforts of the biggest tenant-led union in New York City…
Impale and Cry: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Impale and Cry: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”
In the latest rendering of the epic, there is plenty to feel guilty about even if you did not mean it.
Television
David Ellison’s Delusional Stab at Self-Justification David Ellison’s Delusional Stab at Self-Justification
While the Skydance–Warner Bros. merger is in legal limbo, the CEO seeking to pull it off makes a disingenuous case for it in the court of public opinion.
Our Court Jesters Are Disappearing Just When We Need Them Most Our Court Jesters Are Disappearing Just When We Need Them Most
In this authoritarian moment, we need defiant comedy more than ever.
Why Amazon Ditched Its Prestige Sam Altman Biopic Why Amazon Ditched Its Prestige Sam Altman Biopic
Artificial had a roster of premier talent and a topical subject—but it no longer fit in with Jeff Bezos’s financial ambitions.
Architecture
The Nostalgic Architecture of the Obama Presidential Center The Nostalgic Architecture of the Obama Presidential Center
Where hope even has a gift shop.
What Makes American Architecture American? What Makes American Architecture American?
It’s never been afraid to play fast and loose and big.
How Trump Got His Tacky Arch Approved How Trump Got His Tacky Arch Approved
Neoclassical revivalists had to sell their souls.
Music
A Rave Novel Rediscovered A Rave Novel Rediscovered
Ann Scott’s “Superstars” captures the last gasp of pre-Internet counterculture.
Slavery’s Musical Threads Slavery’s Musical Threads
As ICE violence resurges in the US, the musical history of black Brazil offers lessons in resistance.
17 Rappers Have Supported Trump 17 Rappers Have Supported Trump
Is this the biggest blunder in Black history?
Sonny Rollins Lived to See Justice for His Wrongly Convicted Father Sonny Rollins Lived to See Justice for His Wrongly Convicted Father
The jazz legend fought for nearly 80 years to clear his father of racially motivated charges.
Bruce Springsteen Gave Us Exactly What We Need Right Now Bruce Springsteen Gave Us Exactly What We Need Right Now
His just-finished tour was a cleansing, healing experience—and a morale-boosting call to arms for everyone fighting for our democracy.
Publishing
John Edgar Wideman’s American Vernacular John Edgar Wideman’s American Vernacular
The master novelist offers a view of a United States defined by its cultures of improvisation.
Daniel Poppick’s Novel of White-Collar Work Daniel Poppick’s Novel of White-Collar Work
The first novel by the poet asks us what fantasies get us through the day.
Paying Tribute to Richard Lingeman—Longtime Executive Editor and a Quiet Force at “The Nation” for More Than Three Decades Paying Tribute to Richard Lingeman—Longtime Executive Editor and a Quiet Force at “The Nation” for More Than Three Decades
A man of few spoken words, on the page he was a marvel.
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The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign
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