Talking With W.S. Merwin Talking With W.S. Merwin
The Poet Laureate Consultant to the Library of Congress talks about spontaneous demonstrations, his hope for poetry, and why he doesn't read criticism anymore.
Apr 27, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jordan Davis
Islam’s Nonviolent Tradition Islam’s Nonviolent Tradition
History is replete with peaceful role models like the “Frontier Gandhi” of colonial India.
Apr 27, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Michael Shank
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Elizabeth Bishop's Poems and Prose; James Gleick's The Information.
Apr 27, 2011 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Katha Pollitt on Poetry and Politics Katha Pollitt on Poetry and Politics
Katha Pollitt joins The Brian Lehrer Show for a National Poetry Month conversation about politics and poetry.
Apr 25, 2011 / Audio / The Brian Lehrer Show
Three Poems by Jeffrey Yang Three Poems by Jeffrey Yang
"Abalone," "Eel," "Greed's Prisoner"
Apr 25, 2011 / Audio / Jeffrey Yang
Memo to a Wall Street Highflier Memo to a Wall Street Highflier
“After Widespread Reckless Banking, Dearth of Prosecutions” —Subhead in the New York Times It’s more than likely that you caused this wreck By schemes like selling what you knew was dreck. And ordinary folks have paid the cost: Their homes are gone, their livelihoods are lost. But friends on high have guaranteed the onus Is not on you. Relax. Pick up your bonus.
Apr 21, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Cursi Affair: On Manuel Puig The Cursi Affair: On Manuel Puig
The Latin Boom writers failed to appreciate the work of fellow novelist Manuel Puig, who wrote about housewives and homosexuals.
Apr 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Natasha Wimmer
The Idler: On Geoff Dyer The Idler: On Geoff Dyer
Freedom to do just what he pleases defines the life and writing of Geoff Dyer.
Apr 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Scott Sherman
Shostakovich’s Ambivalence Shostakovich’s Ambivalence
The musical and political strands of Dmitri Shostakovich's life were intertwined like the braids of a noose.
Apr 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Michael O’Donnell
A Bare-Bones Analysis of Tim Pawlenty’s Candidacy A Bare-Bones Analysis of Tim Pawlenty’s Candidacy
The news from Minnesota‘s Tim Pawlenty Is Tim Pawlenty‘s in New Hampshire plenty. He hopes to win in ’12, ’16 or ’20. But that’s not likely, say the cognoscenti.
Apr 17, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin