Books and Ideas

Iran Comes to the Table Iran Comes to the Table

So how about the folks who wrote That sanctions never work, just force? That's very simple: now they write, “The sanctions did their job, of course.”

Oct 2, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Demon and Craftsman: On D.H. Lawrence

Demon and Craftsman: On D.H. Lawrence Demon and Craftsman: On D.H. Lawrence

The process of discovery, not their profundities as such, is what makes Lawrence’s poems so gripping.

Oct 1, 2013 / Books & the Arts / James Longenbach

Copyright Without Law?

Copyright Without Law? Copyright Without Law?

A legal quirk enabled Samuel Roth to pirate Ulysses. Was Roth a copyright anarchist or a pioneer?

Oct 1, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Caleb Crain

Everything I Need to Know About the Legislative Process I Learned at a Tea Party Rally Everything I Need to Know About the Legislative Process I Learned at a Tea Party Rally

If we can’t win the game, If we can’t have our way, We’ll take the bat and ball. Then no one gets to play.

Sep 25, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Imagine: On J.M Coetzee

Imagine: On J.M Coetzee Imagine: On J.M Coetzee

The Childhood of Jesus explores the fictitious dimensions of a just and compassionate world.

Sep 24, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Laila Lalami

Urgent, Unheard Stories

Urgent, Unheard Stories Urgent, Unheard Stories

New novels, poetry and short-story collections from up-and-coming and established writers of color.

Sep 24, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Roxane Gay

Exit Weiner: A Confession Exit Weiner: A Confession

Though no one was at times much keener Than me to joke about A. Weiner, Though his transgressions, being serial, Provided us with rich material, I have to say that we were lucky That he got skunked. Those posts were yucky. And toward the end the jokes grew grim. I’m glad to see the back of him.

Sep 18, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

A Literature of Her Own: ‘It’s Not Love, It’s Just Paris’, by Patricia Engel

A Literature of Her Own: ‘It’s Not Love, It’s Just Paris’, by Patricia Engel A Literature of Her Own: ‘It’s Not Love, It’s Just Paris’, by Patricia Engel

The author's absorbing debut novel chronicles a young woman’s year in Paris, where she will have to choose the home wants most. 

Sep 13, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Roxane Gay

Remembering Saul Landau

Remembering Saul Landau Remembering Saul Landau

Saul helped ignite a political awareness and a passion for history in me.

Sep 11, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Andrés S. Pertierra

Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15–October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15–October 15

The members of Congress are ready to cheer Latinos and what they’ve accomplished right here. There’s praise for Latinos in all of this chatter. But making them legal? A different matter.

Sep 11, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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