Books and Ideas

Business Experience Business Experience

Last week, Mitt Romney floated an idea at a campaign rally in Las Vegas: the future president should be required to have three years of business experience before serving in office.                                                    —The Washington Post   Experience in business is vital, said Mitt— Three years at the least, in the plan he unveiled. Though Truman’s accomplishments seem to suggest The business in question would have to have failed.

Jun 6, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Higher Bealism: The Moral Limits of Markets The Higher Bealism: The Moral Limits of Markets

Why are moral and political thinkers failing to engage with the true, dispiriting scale of market sovereignty?

Jun 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Chris Lehmann

Ghosts and Machines: On Anne Tyler and Peter Carey

Ghosts and Machines: On Anne Tyler and Peter Carey Ghosts and Machines: On Anne Tyler and Peter Carey

The Beginner’s Goodbye, The Chemistry of Tears and the burden of inheritance.

Jun 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Leo Robson

Steve Wasserman: Amazon.com’s Takeover

Steve Wasserman: Amazon.com’s Takeover Steve Wasserman: Amazon.com’s Takeover

As a bookseller, Amazon has left no corner of the publishing world untouched. What will happen as it ventures into publishing original content?

Jun 1, 2012 / Audio / The Nation

Playing Doctor

Playing Doctor Playing Doctor

When it comes to the distant past, there’s a lot we don’t know about what occurred sexually.

May 30, 2012 / Books & the Arts / JoAnn Wypijewski

The Bain of Mitt Romney’s Existence The Bain of Mitt Romney’s Existence

He’s running on all of his triumphs at Bain, But some say the Democrats ought to refrain From saying Bain’s gain was at times inhumane (Because of its strategy aiming to drain A company’s treasure, no matter what pain Is caused to the workers whom it won’t retain). Yes, Bain did some good, its defenders explain: Some pension funds shared in its capital gain. So vulture’s a label for Mitt they disdain— Though buzzard’s OK, and is just as germane.

May 30, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Amazon

The Amazon Effect The Amazon Effect

Amazon got big fast, hastening the arrival of digital publishing. But how big is too big?

May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Steve Wasserman

How Germany Keeps Amazon at Bay and Literary Culture Alive

How Germany Keeps Amazon at Bay and Literary Culture Alive How Germany Keeps Amazon at Bay and Literary Culture Alive

In Germany, fixed-price laws curtail the power of retail chains and help to sustain a vibrant literary culture.

May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michael Naumann

Bad Paper: On Philip Coggan

Bad Paper: On Philip Coggan Bad Paper: On Philip Coggan

Is the current financial crisis a problem of liquidity or one of solvency?

May 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Mihm

Tempest Williams: The Mormon Church Is a Corporation (VIDEO) Tempest Williams: The Mormon Church Is a Corporation (VIDEO)

The Mormon Church is a corporation, says author and essayist Terry Tempest Williams, and there is reason to fear a Romney presidency....

May 28, 2012 / Blog / Laura Flanders

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