Books and Ideas

The State Theatre in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, 2021 / A.S. Hamrah

Is It Too Late to Save Hollywood? Is It Too Late to Save Hollywood?

A conversation with A.S. Hamrah about the dispiriting state of the movie business in the post-Covid era.

Feb 4, 2026 / Q&A / Kyle Paoletta

Ishmael Reed Portrait Oakland

Ishmael Reed on His Diverse Inspirations Ishmael Reed on His Diverse Inspirations

The origins of the Before Columbus Foundation.

Jan 30, 2026 / Ishmael Reed

The skyline of Madrid seen during twilight from the roof top of the Riu Plaza Madrid, 2019.

How Immigration Transformed Europe’s Most Conservative Capital How Immigration Transformed Europe’s Most Conservative Capital

Madrid has changed greatly since 1975, at once opening itself to immigrants from Latin America while also doubling down on conservative politics.

Jan 28, 2026 / Books & the Arts / Sebastiaan Faber and Bécquer Seguín

George Whitmore, 1987.

George Whitmore’s Unsparing Queer Fiction George Whitmore’s Unsparing Queer Fiction

Long out of print, his novel Nebraska is an enigmatic record of queer survival in midcentury America.

Jan 26, 2026 / Books & the Arts / Jeremy Lybarger

Angelo Herndon, whose conviction for a crime related to free speech was overturned in 1935, arrives at NYC’s Penn Station.

Is It Possible for Speech to Ever Be Too Free? Is It Possible for Speech to Ever Be Too Free?

A new history explores the political limits as well as possibilities of freedom of speech.

Jan 20, 2026 / Books & the Arts / David Cole

The Strange Story of the Famed Anti-Fascist Lament  “First They Came…”

The Strange Story of the Famed Anti-Fascist Lament “First They Came…” The Strange Story of the Famed Anti-Fascist Lament “First They Came…”

In his celebrated mea culpa, the German pastor Martin Niemöller blamed his failure to speak out against the Nazis on indifference. Was that the whole reason?

Jan 20, 2026 / Feature / Barry Yourgrau

Taipei, June 2025.

How Taiwan Became the Chipmaker for the World How Taiwan Became the Chipmaker for the World

A new book tells the story of the island-nation’s transformation into a central hub for technological development and manufacturing.

Jan 19, 2026 / Books & the Arts / Yangyang Cheng

The storming of the Bastille.

How Has the Idea of Revolution Changed? How Has the Idea of Revolution Changed?

A new history examines the long history of a radical and sometimes conservative concept.

Jan 13, 2026 / Books & the Arts / Peter E. Gordon

Nicolas Maduro is seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad.

The “Donroe” Doctrine Is Dangerous The “Donroe” Doctrine Is Dangerous

Trump’s brazen violation of international law destabilizes global security.

Jan 13, 2026 / Katrina vanden Heuvel and John Nichols

Nation Poetry

Fear of Nothing Fear of Nothing

Jan 13, 2026 / Books & the Arts / D. Nurkse

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