Books and Ideas

How Did Police Unions Get So Powerful?

How Did Police Unions Get So Powerful? How Did Police Unions Get So Powerful?

Police unions are on the defensive for perhaps the first time since their formation. It’s been a long time coming.

Jul 2, 2020 / Ross Barkan

Trump

Temper, Temper Temper, Temper

With SCOTUS rulings seen as Trump defeats, Trump answered with a burst of angry tweets. At West Point, he prepared to look like Caesar. Instead his ramp walk showed a fragile geeze…

Jun 30, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Past and Future of Latinx Politics

The Past and Future of Latinx Politics The Past and Future of Latinx Politics

Two new books look at the history of Latinx Democrats and Republicans and the role each will play in the future.

Jun 30, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Ed Morales

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

As the Pandemic Rages On, the Right Continues Playing Dumb As the Pandemic Rages On, the Right Continues Playing Dumb

Some people really want “I miss Aunt Jemima” to be the hill they die on.

Jun 30, 2020 / Tom Tomorrow

Maria Reva’s Mordant and Profound Fiction

Maria Reva’s Mordant and Profound Fiction Maria Reva’s Mordant and Profound Fiction

In her short story collection, Good Citizens Need Not Fear, Reva documents the chaos, joy, and serendipity of life before and after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Jun 29, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Jennifer Wilson

Lee Statue

Let’s Stop Putting the Worst Americans on a Pedestal Let’s Stop Putting the Worst Americans on a Pedestal

As statues fall, we should look to the parts of our history worth celebrating.

Jun 25, 2020 / Column / Katha Pollitt

British police

It’s Time to Disarm the Police It’s Time to Disarm the Police

It can be done. Just look at London!

Jun 25, 2020 / D.D. Guttenplan

Between Mystery and Social Democracy: A Journey Through Scandinavian Crime Novels

Between Mystery and Social Democracy: A Journey Through Scandinavian Crime Novels Between Mystery and Social Democracy: A Journey Through Scandinavian Crime Novels

We talked to Wendy Lesser about her new book Scandinavian Noir: In Pursuit of a Mystery and just why this regional genre continues to strike a chord.  

Jun 24, 2020 / Q&A / Rachel Monroe

Jewelle Gomez

A Lesbian Archive Sends Its Love Letter: Find History, Find Yourself A Lesbian Archive Sends Its Love Letter: Find History, Find Yourself

Scenes from a pandemic: 13

Jun 24, 2020 / Jewelle Gomez

‘To Embrace the Fucked-Up’: On Dodie Bellamy

‘To Embrace the Fucked-Up’: On Dodie Bellamy ‘To Embrace the Fucked-Up’: On Dodie Bellamy

The trailblazing San Francisco writer takes a political stance against systems that rely on social assimilation.

Jun 23, 2020 / Claire Mullen

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