Books and Ideas

Romney Says He’s Not Concerned About the Poor Romney Says He’s Not Concerned About the Poor

“The remark about the poor immediately became catalogued in a growing list of awkward comments by Mr. Romney.”   —New York Times   His profile’s divine. His shoes have a shine; They’re almost as shined as his hair. And voters ignore That seeking Mitt’s core Has failed because nothing is there.   So Mitt’s way ahead. The pundits have said That Newt might be almost kaput. But Mitt still might lose If he puts those shoes Much more in his mouth with his foot.

Feb 8, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Awakenings: On Margaret Sanger

Awakenings: On Margaret Sanger Awakenings: On Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger’s legacy continues to haunt debates about abortion and family planning.

Feb 7, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michelle Goldberg

John Leonard

Reading John Leonard: A Tribute Reading John Leonard: A Tribute

For the critic John Leonard, “books are where we go alone to complicate ourselves.”

Feb 7, 2012 / Books & the Arts / E.L. Doctorow

The Flesh Underneath: On ‘Every Twelve Seconds’ The Flesh Underneath: On ‘Every Twelve Seconds’

Timothy Pachirat’s gut-wrenching account of slaughterhouse work.

Feb 7, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Ted Conover

Jonathan Blitzer: El País’s Journey to the Mainstream

Jonathan Blitzer: El País’s Journey to the Mainstream Jonathan Blitzer: El País’s Journey to the Mainstream

How did a newspaper that once represented a progressive alternative to the status quo ultimately come to be firmly identified with the state itself?

Feb 2, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Francis Reynolds

Adelson Adelson

(Sung by Newt Gingrich supporters to the tune of “Edelweiss,” from The Sound of Music)   Adelson, Adelson, Your donations do cheer him. We who root For our Newt Smile whenever you shmeer him.   Absent your vow That you would endow Newt’s campaign with plenty, Adelson, Adelson, He’d be dead as Pawlenty.

Jan 31, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Looking Back at the UFW, a Union With Two Souls

Looking Back at the UFW, a Union With Two Souls Looking Back at the UFW, a Union With Two Souls

A Q&A with Frank Bardacke, whose new book Trampling Out the Vintage complicates the legend and legacy of Cesar Chavez.

Jan 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Gabriel Thompson

A Spoonful of Sugar: On the Affordable Care Act

A Spoonful of Sugar: On the Affordable Care Act A Spoonful of Sugar: On the Affordable Care Act

Obama and America's hundred-year struggle over healthcare reform.

Jan 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Bernard Avishai

Shelf Life

Shelf Life Shelf Life

The Complete Jean Vigo, Travis Wilkerson’s An Injury to One.

Jan 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Akiva Gottlieb

The Foundation Business: On Olivier Zunz The Foundation Business: On Olivier Zunz

There’s more to American nonprofits than the success of wealthy donors and their large foundations.

Jan 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Pablo Eisenberg

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