The Truth About the Civil War The Truth About the Civil War
Too many Americans have fallen prey to narratives that erase the role of slavery in the war’s origins and legacy.
Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner
Whispers of Jackie O Whispers of Jackie O
The former first lady speaks from beyond the grave—and shows how far we’ve come (and haven’t).
Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Katha Pollitt
Proving Grounds: On the World Trade Center Proving Grounds: On the World Trade Center
How the World Trade Center turned Manhattan into a planned community.
Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Alyssa Katz
An Ambiguous Medium: On Lee Ufan An Ambiguous Medium: On Lee Ufan
The aesthetic illusions of a Korean artist.
Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
The World House: On Malcolm X The World House: On Malcolm X
A biographer's flawed attempt to rediscover the politics in the decidedly political life of Malcolm X.
Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Aziz Rana
Tulum Tulum
in ceasing to exist gods create in air an emptiness where the light comes to settle all their monuments gather around the edge the earth underneath congeals its ancient waves see the god descending from a pediment he was supposed to induce the rain’s downfall it’s the sky today that drops into the rock to very gingerly liberate our heart and elongate the view toward the end of time same at its core to the Caribbean Sea its green water took the divine in its folds all then ends up in rumbling and murmuring all began in an identical manner (translated from the French by Eléna Rivera)
Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Bernard Nöel
Michele: A Reprise Michele: A Reprise
(With yet another apology to the Beatles) Michele, our belle, Things of late have truly failed to gel For Michele. Michele, our belle, They’re no longer buying what you sell. Poor Michele. Your numbers have gone in the toilet. They say you peaked too soon. And talking like a loon Could not have helped a lot, although Rick Perry does, too. Michele, our belle, Pundits now are bidding you farewell— “Bye, Michele.”
Sep 15, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Gratitude and Forbearance: On Christopher Lasch Gratitude and Forbearance: On Christopher Lasch
Christopher Lasch and his quest for the moral resources of the next New Deal.
Sep 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Norman Birnbaum
Treatment Treatment
The relationship between a handsome young broker and a lovely young curator is in trouble. Before they can marry, he must come to tolerate, then feel guarded affection for a good natured buffoon who populates dioramas with stuffed mouse couples in period dress, then for an assortment of others, some less likeable, who also take passionate interest in an activity that generates no profit
Sep 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Rae Armantrout
Agents of Destruction Agents of Destruction
Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion, Göran Hugo Olsson’s Black Power Mixtape 1967–1975, Tate Taylor’s The Help
Sep 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans