Countervailing Powers: On John Kenneth Galbraith Countervailing Powers: On John Kenneth Galbraith
John Kenneth Galbraith was a satirist of economics as much as a practitioner of it.
May 11, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Kim Phillips-Fein
Osama bin Laden Has Been Killed Osama bin Laden Has Been Killed
All cheered as the president said it. ’Midst cheering, though, some folks said, “Let it Be quite clear right now That some way, somehow, The Donald will try to claim credit.”
May 4, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Calvin Trillin
Al-Assad Al-Assad
Al-Assad An autocrat named al-Assad Decided he’d not spare the rod. His thugs kill at will, But we wonder still: What happens when he’s shot his wad? Some say his reaction is odd: They say this Assad is no clod. But he learned from pop To play the bad cop. Who knows how it ends? Maybe God.
Apr 28, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
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 / Books & the Arts / The Brian Lehrer Show
Three Poems by Jeffrey Yang Three Poems by Jeffrey Yang
"Abalone," "Eel," "Greed's Prisoner"
Apr 25, 2011 / Books & the Arts / 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