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
A Minor Exception: On W.C. Minor and Noah Webster A Minor Exception: On W.C. Minor and Noah Webster
The career of W.C. Minor is a reminder that the legacy of Yale's lexicographers is no less noteworthy than that of its deconstructionists.
Mar 16, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Kendall
Beyond the Barricades: On Deb Olin Unferth Beyond the Barricades: On Deb Olin Unferth
Dylan’s Mr. Jones was confused by revolution; the persona of Deb Olin Unferth’s memoir is nonchalant about it.
Mar 10, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Madison Smartt Bell
Scotland Yard: The Jamaican-British Encounter Scotland Yard: The Jamaican-British Encounter
An essay adapted from the forthcoming The Dead Yard: A Story of Modern Jamaica.
Mar 10, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Ian Thomson
Without His Nurse Without His Nurse
Galyna Kolotnytska, described in diplomatic cables as the “voluptuous blond” nurse who accompanies Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi everywhere, has returned to Ukraine. —News reports While everybody says, “Just go!” His countrymen all surely know Adversity seems more adverse Without his nurse. “He’s bonkers,” people say. “That might Be why he rants into the night.” His talks get further still from terse Without his nurse. The body count is now quite large; He’s killed a lot to stay in charge. And all this killing must seem worse Without his nurse. It has to bring this man much pain To bear the crumbling of his reign And see his fortunes in reverse Without his nurse. Yes, Muammar now has to face This hatred from the human race And angry crowds that won’t disperse Without his nurse. The banks freeze billions of his loot. His people sorely want to boot Him out, or put him in a hearse Without his nurse. Could Allah show a bit of mercy And send poor Mu-Mu back his nursie?
Mar 10, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
BOOK REVIEW: Tamara Chalabi’s ‘Late for Tea at the Deer Palace’ BOOK REVIEW: Tamara Chalabi’s ‘Late for Tea at the Deer Palace’
Ahmed Chalabi’s daughter recounts the family’s saga and the ancien regime.
Mar 7, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Bob Dreyfuss