Books and Ideas

History and Heartbreak: The Letters of Rosa Luxemburg History and Heartbreak: The Letters of Rosa Luxemburg

Rosa Luxemburg wanted it all: books and music, sex and art, evening walks and the revolution. Her lover, Leo Jogiches, told her this was nonsense.

Apr 13, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Vivian Gornick

Before the Flood: Information Before the Information Age Before the Flood: Information Before the Information Age

Ann Blair’s Too Much to Know explains how across the centuries the profusion of information has always inspired readers to invent shortcuts to knowledge.

Apr 13, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

From The Archive: Five Pieces by James Baldwin From The Archive: Five Pieces by James Baldwin

The publication of The Cross of Redemption is an occasion to revisit some of the many fine essays and reviews written for The Nation by Baldwin, who was a member of the magazine's...

Apr 11, 2011 / Books & the Arts / The Nation

Reclaiming the Politics of Freedom

Reclaiming the Politics of Freedom Reclaiming the Politics of Freedom

Since the ’70s, liberals and leftists have misidentified the source of conservatism’s appeal.

Apr 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Corey Robin

On the Case: On Simon Wiesenthal

On the Case: On Simon Wiesenthal On the Case: On Simon Wiesenthal

As Tom Segev’s biography makes clear, in the entire pantheon of Jewish superheroes there is no more unlikely figure than Simon Wiesenthal.

Apr 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / D.D. Guttenplan

When Nothing Happens: On David Bezmozgis

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.’ 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

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