Ms. Grief Ms. Grief
Out of two new books, Constance Fenimore Woolson emerges as a figure of some dimension in her own right.
Mar 3, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Vivian Gornick
J.M. Coetzee’s Facts of Life J.M. Coetzee’s Facts of Life
For the South African author, the selves we write and read may be truer than any other.
Jan 28, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Becca Rothfeld
The Many Manipulations of Henry Kissinger The Many Manipulations of Henry Kissinger
In his new biography, Niall Ferguson is blind to his subject’s recklessness and treachery.
Jan 7, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Milne
Nothing Remains Unchanged but the Clouds Nothing Remains Unchanged but the Clouds
With his worries about the gigantic power of technology and the minuscule moral illumination it can afford, Walter Benjamin remains our contemporary.
Nov 18, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Neima Jahromi
A Poet Who Believed in Nothing As in Love A Poet Who Believed in Nothing As in Love
After first writing poetry to impress and entertain his wealthy parents’ guests, cosmopolitan James Merrill went cosmic.
Nov 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko
A Jazz Singer A Jazz Singer
Legendary vocalist Mark Murphy exemplified the jazz values of improvisation, swing, and in-the-moment spontaneity.
Oct 30, 2015 / David Hajdu
Jonathan Franzen Withdraws Jonathan Franzen Withdraws
Why are the agonized liberals in Purity so skeptical of political conviction?
Oct 8, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Jon Baskin
There’s No Conflict of Interest in the ‘New York Times’ Review of Kissinger’s Biography There’s No Conflict of Interest in the ‘New York Times’ Review of Kissinger’s Biography
The reviewer was Kissinger’s top pick to be his own biographer—what could go wrong?
Oct 2, 2015 / Greg Grandin
The Dread of Loneliness The Dread of Loneliness
Self-definition and equality in Obergefell v. Hodges.
Aug 17, 2015 / Dispatch / Vivian Gornick
The Most Eccentric New Yorkers and the Writer Who Loved Them The Most Eccentric New Yorkers and the Writer Who Loved Them
Joseph Mitchell and his subjects were “all freaks together.”
Jul 16, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Robert S. Boynton