How Patti Smith, Punk Chanteuse, Became the Irresistible Siren of Middle Age How Patti Smith, Punk Chanteuse, Became the Irresistible Siren of Middle Age

Her latest memoir, M Train, feels guided simultaneously by determination and serendipity.

Oct 8, 2015 / Books & the Arts / James Longenbach

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

Comix Nation Comix Nation

Oct 8, 2015 / Jen Sorensen

Ralph Nader, the People’s Curator Ralph Nader, the People’s Curator

The consumer advocate’s new American Museum of Tort Law honors the legacy of the “weapon of the weak.”

Oct 6, 2015 / Mark Green

Of Lobsters and Men Of Lobsters and Men

Don DeLillo, the Grateful Dead, and the New York Film Festival.

Oct 5, 2015 / Eric Alterman

October 3, 1925: Gore Vidal Is Born October 3, 1925: Gore Vidal Is Born

“In hindsight, I can see that our ending was implicit in our beginning.”

Oct 3, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

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

Literature as Map to Liberty Literature as Map to Liberty

In John Keene’s ambitious new volume of stories, resistance is required because exile isn’t an option.

Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ben Ehrenreich

A Stage Across the Sea A Stage Across the Sea

An unjustly-neglected Libyan novelist captured the twisted logic of colonialism, past and present.

Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ursula Lindsey

Kevin Powell’s Memoir Will Crush You Kevin Powell’s Memoir Will Crush You

An autobiography that’s really a first-hand account about surviving racism and poverty only mostly intact, The Education of Kevin Powell is revelatory.

Sep 30, 2015 / Dave Zirin