No Man Is an Island: Fiction, Trauma, War No Man Is an Island: Fiction, Trauma, War
How Argentine fiction about the Malvinas War conspires in a trick of perspective.
Jan 9, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Blitzer
The ‘New York Post’ Calls Wayne LaPierre a Nut The ‘New York Post’ Calls Wayne LaPierre a Nut
Considering the candidates they’ve backed, So many of whom really seemed half-cracked, It’s obvious—no ifs, no ands, no buts— If even these guys think he’s nuts, he’s nuts.
Jan 2, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Putting Stories Into the World Putting Stories Into the World
Nathan Englander’s play, The Twenty-Seventh Man, focuses on the moment that Yiddish culture in Russia died a sudden and unnatural death.
Jan 2, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman
Off-Key: On Paul Elie Off-Key: On Paul Elie
Can recordings of classical music ever be in concert with concert hall performances?
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michael O’Donnell
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Ayana Mathis’s The Twelve Tribes of Hattie; Andrey Platonov’s Happy Moscow
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Thier
Largest Mass Execution in US History: 150 Years Ago Today Largest Mass Execution in US History: 150 Years Ago Today
Lincoln ordered the execution of thirty-eight Dakota Indians for rebellion—but never ordered the execution of Confederate officials or generals.
Dec 26, 2012 / Jon Wiener
Qualifications to Be Secretary of State, According to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham Qualifications to Be Secretary of State, According to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham
Though Condoleezza Rice had once avowed The smoking gun might be a mushroom cloud And thus invasion simply couldn’t wait, She was considered qualified for State. Reciting talking points on Sunday shows This year was quite sufficient to foreclose The chance that Susan Rice would ever lead At State—so Graham and McCain agreed. The senators, when left to their devices Make use of different rules for different Rices.
Dec 19, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Suspicious Minds: On Timothy Melley Suspicious Minds: On Timothy Melley
How thrillers inform spycraft, and the fictions that belie them both.
Dec 19, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Peter C. Baker
The Trembling Upper World: On Siegfried Kracauer The Trembling Upper World: On Siegfried Kracauer
The European émigré who became a philosopher of American cinema.
Dec 19, 2012 / Books & the Arts / J. Hoberman
Rhyme Is All I’ve Got: A Q&A With Calvin Trillin Rhyme Is All I’ve Got: A Q&A With Calvin Trillin
How do you rhyme “Obama” with “Yokahama”?
Dec 17, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jon Wiener