Ugly Beauty Ugly Beauty
In the fall of 1958, the second book by a young British poet named Philip Larkin made it across the ocean and into the consciousness of American poetry.
Jun 10, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Melanie Rehak
On Native Ground On Native Ground
I've long considered E.L. Doctorow the most American of contemporary writers--in a particularly classic sense.
Jun 10, 2004 / Books & the Arts / David L. Ulin
There He Goes Again There He Goes Again
Near the end of his threadbare, tendentious and dubious hagiography of Ronald Reagan, Peter Schweizer recounts the President's first trip to Moscow, in late spring 1988.
Jun 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Walter C. Uhler
Not Necessarily the First Lady Not Necessarily the First Lady
Nancy and Ronald Reagan met, they have repeatedly said, when she was blacklisted by mistake in the early 1950s after having been confused with another actress who had the same na...
Jun 7, 2004 / Feature / Jon Wiener
Don’t Worry, Be Happy Don’t Worry, Be Happy
David Brooks is a writer whose chief claim to fame is not what he says but where he says it.
Jun 3, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Nicholas von Hoffman
The Irresistible Rise of Berlusconi The Irresistible Rise of Berlusconi
Dressed up as a tropical dictator in a sketch by the great Italian political cartoonist Altan, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wears a double-breasted camouflage jacket, a goony...
Jun 3, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Frederika Randall
What Are They Reading? What Are They Reading?
"If Bush gets re-elected, I'm moving to Canada!" Most of us who've vowed this, at one time or another, won't actually make good on our word.
Jun 2, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Kate Levin
Grapes of Wrath Grapes of Wrath
Several years ago, I did some reporting for a story that I wanted to write about wine and how it's advertised.
May 27, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Matthew DeBord
Philosophical Convictions Philosophical Convictions
Philosophers get attention only when they appear to be doing something sinister--corrupting the youth, undermining the foundations of civilization, sneering at all we hold dear.
May 27, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Richard Rorty
How the Other Half Votes How the Other Half Votes
For years the battle raged across my family's kitchen table.
May 27, 2004 / Books & the Arts / George Scialabba