When Nothing Happens: On David Bezmozgis When Nothing Happens: On David Bezmozgis
The Free World is a novel about lives suspended at a moment when everything is uncertain. It is about frustration. Unfortunately, it too is frustrating.
Mar 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Thier
Turkey’s Transformation: On Islam, Nationalism and Modernity Turkey’s Transformation: On Islam, Nationalism and Modernity
Carter Vaughn Finley's timely new history contends that Turkey's development has been misunderstood as an upward march from Islamic empire to secular republic.
Mar 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Marc Edward Hoffman
Donald Trump Demands That Obama Show His Birth Certificate Donald Trump Demands That Obama Show His Birth Certificate
All White House hopefuls we forewarn: You’ll have to prove that you were born. Before Trump hits the state of granite, He’ll have to tell us all the planet Upon which he was born and reared— Where loudmouths reign and hair is weird.
Mar 30, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Naoto Kan and the End of ‘Japan Inc.’ Naoto Kan and the End of ‘Japan Inc.’
Criticism of the government’s response to the catastrophe has obscured major political changes.
Mar 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Tim Shorrock
A Brief Summary of Military Intervention in Libya A Brief Summary of Military Intervention in Libya
We’re in. And now we mean to pulverize that lout. And meanwhile try to think of some way to get out.
Mar 24, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Possible Humans: On Juan José Saer Possible Humans: On Juan José Saer
The achievement of Juan José Saer’s fiction, next to its sensuousness, is its creation of an all-engulfing present.
Mar 23, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Lorna Scott Fox
Shelf Life: On Poets and Painters Shelf Life: On Poets and Painters
Tibor de Nagy’s Painters & Poets; Bill Berkson’s For the Ordinary Artist; William Corbett’s Albert York.
Mar 23, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
A Parade of Arrogance: On John Dower A Parade of Arrogance: On John Dower
During war, John Dower explains, “the system filters out the thoughtful and replaces them with the faithful.”
Mar 23, 2011 / Books & the Arts / George Scialabba
Hiroshima to Fukushima Hiroshima to Fukushima
The problem with mankind wielding nuclear power isn’t about backup generators or safety rules—it’s our essential human fallibility.
Mar 17, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Schell
Remembering the Triangle Fire Remembering the Triangle Fire
After 100 years, the tragedy still inspires outrage and grief. Why does it have a hold on us?
Mar 16, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Freeman