Books and Ideas

Reverse Psychology: On Ernst Weiss Reverse Psychology: On Ernst Weiss

In Georg Letham, Ernst Weiss turned to psychoanalysis to tap an atmosphere of unknown terror and mystery.

Sep 1, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Elias Altman

The Unmaking of a Company Man The Unmaking of a Company Man

An education begun in the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate.

Aug 27, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Andrew J. Bacevich

No Name or Too Many? On Javier Marías

No Name or Too Many? On Javier Marías No Name or Too Many? On Javier Marías

In Javier Marías's trilogy Your Face Tomorrow, the self is composed of borrowed languages and an uncertain voice.

Aug 25, 2010 / Books & the Arts / William Deresiewicz

The Book of Amos: On Gideon Levy The Book of Amos: On Gideon Levy

Because of Gaza, "everything is tainted" in Israel, according to Gideon Levy.

Aug 25, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Ben Ehrenreich

Katha Pollitt Wins ‘Lifetime Achievement’ American Book Award Katha Pollitt Wins ‘Lifetime Achievement’ American Book Award

The Nation's Katha Pollitt has been awarded the thirty-first annual American Book Award's prestigious "Lifetime Achievement" prize, celebrating her contributions both as an essayist and a poet. This is Pollitt's first American Book Award; she will be honored on September 19 at the awards ceremony in San Francisco. Pollitt is the author of several collections of essays; her most recent books include Learning to Drive and Other Life Stories(2007) and her second collection of poetry, The Mind-Body Problem (2009). Other ABA winners this year include Amiri Baraka, Dave Eggers and Pamela Ushuk.  Pollitt has written for The Nation since 1980, and her regular column, "Subject to Debate" has run since 1995. You can read more about the awards here. The ceremony is open to the public. Pollitt's recent columns can be found here, and information and links for all of Pollitt's books can be found on her website. 

Aug 25, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Press Room

Resisting Reforms: On Diane Ravitch Resisting Reforms: On Diane Ravitch

In The Death and Life of the Great American School System, Diane Ravitch has found a new métier as a critic of neo-capitalist school reform.

Aug 12, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Joseph Featherstone

America: Now and Here

America: Now and Here America: Now and Here

A vast new art exhibition will attempt to reconnect the heartland to our nation's artistic genius.

Aug 12, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Simon Maxwell Apter

A Calamity of Heart

A Calamity of Heart A Calamity of Heart

An essay for “America: Now and Here.”

Aug 12, 2010 / Books & the Arts / E.L. Doctorow

Human Rights in History

Human Rights in History Human Rights in History

Human rights emerged not in the 1940s but the 1970s, and on the ruins of prior dreams.

Aug 11, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Samuel Moyn

Adieu, Tony Hayward Adieu, Tony Hayward

The gaffe-prone BP exec's wishes are coming true.

Jul 29, 2010 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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