George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated
Young George could not deny he felled that tree. His moral code would certainly forbid it. In such a situation, Trump would say, “I cannot tell a lie: Obama did it.”…
Sep 8, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Duck & Groundcover Duck & Groundcover
Meadows petaled turquoise. They shiver like glacial lakes Even when the sun shines. A duck could be forgiven, Then, the lack of grace In a dry landing. The ooofff! We…
Sep 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Jay Hopler
Can the American University Be Saved? Can the American University Be Saved?
Covid-19 has revealed the glaring inequalities of higher ed in the United States and may push the system to the point of crisis.
Sep 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Bessner
C Pam Zhang’s Radical Retelling of Western Myths C Pam Zhang’s Radical Retelling of Western Myths
Her novel How Much of These Hills Is Gold follows two Chinese American siblings’ quest to find home amidst the prejudice and danger of the frontier.
Sep 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Larissa Pham
The Whitelash Next Time The Whitelash Next Time
Whenever the pendulum swings toward Black equality and full citizenship, white supremacy mounts a counteroffensive.
Sep 8, 2020 / Column / Kali Holloway
Trump’s National Labor Relations Board Is Sabotaging Its Own Mission Trump’s National Labor Relations Board Is Sabotaging Its Own Mission
The federal agency that’s supposed to protect union rights is instead championing the interests of bosses.
Sep 7, 2020 / Feature / Michelle Chen
The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics
A conversation with Vicky Osterweil about misconceptions around the politics of looting and its radical tradition.
Sep 3, 2020 / Q&A / Stephen Kearse
The Sycophants at Fox News The Sycophants at Fox News
Brian Stelter’s book Hoax gets half the story about the toadies of cable news.
Sep 3, 2020 / Column / Eric Alterman
Is This the First Great Quarantine Novel? Is This the First Great Quarantine Novel?
Alice Knott tells the story of a housebound heiress going slowly mad from a combination of 24-hour news and isolation.
Sep 2, 2020 / Brooks Sterritt