Books and Ideas

Another Constructive Tea Party Agenda Another Constructive Tea Party Agenda

“Some Republicans Nurture Dreams of Impeaching Obama”                                               —New York Times headline   The limits of our patience have been reached: Obama simply has to be impeached. High crimes and misdemeanors? Yes, this traitor Must have them. We’ll produce a long list later. For now, we say he has to get the sack. You may have noticed, by the way—he’s black.

Aug 28, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Colonist of Good Will: On Albert Camus

The Colonist of Good Will: On Albert Camus The Colonist of Good Will: On Albert Camus

Algerian Chronicles shows that Camus still has something to say to us—not about terrorism but economic justice.

Aug 27, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Thomas Meaney

How the Streets Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

How the Streets Honor Martin Luther King Jr. How the Streets Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

On city walls across the country, muralists and street artists depict him as a statesman, visionary, hero and martyr.

Aug 14, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Camilo José Vergara

The Winter Olympics in Putin’s Russia

The Winter Olympics in Putin’s Russia The Winter Olympics in Putin’s Russia

Gay rights activists hold a banner reading "Homophobia - the religion of bullies" during their action in protest of homophobia, on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, July 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Evgeny Feldman) “Putin signs anti-gay legislation into law.” —news reports It’s possible a skier’d have to pray, As he zoomed down the steepest slope one day, That he did not, by accident, display A manner that those eager to obey The laws that under Putin now hold sway Might video as evidence, then say This shows with certainty that he is gay, Illegally, and must be sent away To some gay gulag, where he will decay In dungeons like the cages of Bombay. And meanwhile Putin leads the cheers: “Let’s hear it! Let’s celebrate that grand Olympic spirit!”

Aug 14, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Fascist Sympathies: On Dorothea Brande

Fascist Sympathies: On Dorothea Brande Fascist Sympathies: On Dorothea Brande

Wake Up and Live! reveals the connection between the radical individualism of 1930s self-help manuals and fascist politics.

Aug 13, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Joanna Scutts

Fichte’s Way Fichte’s Way

Johann Gottlieb Fichte undertook a pure search for truth. He also distrusted international markets. Does that make him an ancestor to anti-globalization activists?

Aug 13, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Michael Rosen

‘Atlantic Rim’: Chomsky v. Zizek

‘Atlantic Rim’: Chomsky v. Zizek ‘Atlantic Rim’: Chomsky v. Zizek

An online dustup between two pop star penseurs shows them staggering through afterlives.

Aug 13, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Clover

This Week in ‘Nation’ History: Hiroshima and the Roots of American Secrecy

This Week in ‘Nation’ History: Hiroshima and the Roots of American Secrecy This Week in ‘Nation’ History: Hiroshima and the Roots of American Secrecy

The bombing of Hiroshima changed everything; but it may not be too late to change it back.

Aug 3, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Dispatches from the Front: On Narconovelas

Dispatches from the Front: On Narconovelas Dispatches from the Front: On Narconovelas

All wars have their bards, and Mexico’s ongoing narco wars are no exception.

Jul 31, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Volpi

On Further Weiner Revelations On Further Weiner Revelations

He swore this stuff was in the past, But it continued on apace. It’s odd enough he showed his junk. It’s odder still he’d show his face.

Jul 31, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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