Books and Ideas

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

The World’s Greatest Democracy The World’s Greatest Democracy

(Terms and conditions may apply.)

Jan 12, 2021 / Tom Tomorrow

Silver Lining

Silver Lining Silver Lining

The market is hitting record highs, even as the virus surges and millions go hungry. —The Washington Post Though others have suffered, the Wall Street guys got The bull-market prof…

Jan 12, 2021 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Anne Applebaum and the Crisis of Centrist Politics

Anne Applebaum and the Crisis of Centrist Politics Anne Applebaum and the Crisis of Centrist Politics

In her new book, Applebaum attempts to understand why some of her intellectual bedfellows moved to the far right.

Jan 11, 2021 / Books & the Arts / David Klion

Deb Haaland’s Cabinet Nomination Is a Triumph for Native Americans

Deb Haaland’s Cabinet Nomination Is a Triumph for Native Americans Deb Haaland’s Cabinet Nomination Is a Triumph for Native Americans

We have turned a page in our nation’s history—not because the insiders wanted it, but because the people fought for it.

Jan 8, 2021 / Julian Brave NoiseCat

The Ethical Commitment to Be a Punk

The Ethical Commitment to Be a Punk The Ethical Commitment to Be a Punk

How 1980s punk music birthed its own kind of radical politics. 

Jan 6, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Samuel Zipp

What We Can Learn About Activism Today in the Archives of Queer History

What We Can Learn About Activism Today in the Archives of Queer History What We Can Learn About Activism Today in the Archives of Queer History

Cait McKinney’s Information Activism argues that archiving work illustrates how access to information has improved the lives of marginalized people.

Jan 5, 2021 / Books & the Arts / M. Jesuthasan

Breakfast Table With Jewish Newsletters

Breakfast Table With Jewish Newsletters Breakfast Table With Jewish Newsletters

An argument with myself.

Jan 1, 2021 / Wallace Shawn

What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic?

What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic? What Can We Learn From the 1918 Pandemic?

A recent history of the pandemic illuminates not just parallels with our moment but how a public health crisis can become a political one as well. 

Dec 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Richard J. Evans

sign reads

2020 2020

We’ve had a year, you must admit, Whose misery would just not quit. At last, we offer this obit: We’re glad to see the back of it.

Dec 29, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

military leaders in the Spanish Civil War

How the Fight Over Spain’s Anti-Fascist Legacy Involves a Former ‘Nation’ Editor How the Fight Over Spain’s Anti-Fascist Legacy Involves a Former ‘Nation’ Editor

Spain’s progressive government is protecting the tomb of Julio Álvarez del Vayo, foreign minister for the Republic during the Civil War and later a Nation editor. Spain’s right win...

Dec 28, 2020 / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

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