Visions and Revisions: On T.S. Eliot Visions and Revisions: On T.S. Eliot
Two volumes of T.S. Eliot's letters elucidate how the momentous achievements of his art were determined by moments of awful daring.
Sep 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / James Longenbach
Uncertainty and Anxiety: On Khrushchev’s Thaw Uncertainty and Anxiety: On Khrushchev’s Thaw
Why did different segments of the Soviet population experience Khrushchev’s reforms in radically different ways?
Sep 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Benjamin Nathans
Shelf Life: On Socrates Shelf Life: On Socrates
Bettany Hughes's biography of Socrates is a book that Socrates himself, on a mean day, would have torn to shreds.
Sep 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Emily Wilson
Break Their Hearts: On Chris Bachelder Break Their Hearts: On Chris Bachelder
In his novel Abbott Awaits, Chris Bachelder employs his comic wackiness to great effect.
Sep 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Thier
So What’s With the Cowboy Boots, Rick? So What’s With the Cowboy Boots, Rick?
You say you’re the real thing from Texas— An Aggie, not someone from Yale. While claiming to be a straight shooter, You plant a boot high on a bale. ’Twas cotton that grew on your farm, Rick. You didn’t grow up on the range. No horses are used to plant cotton, So cowboy boots seem mighty strange. No phony? Then alter your costume. Although they lack cowboy boots’ zing, If you have a sod-buster background, Bib overalls might be the thing.
Aug 31, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The New American Jujitsu The New American Jujitsu
In the wake of 9/11, we have summoned up imaginary demons to spare ourselves from facing the all-too-real burdens of our time.
Aug 31, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Schell
Epitaph for Another September 11 Epitaph for Another September 11
Chile and the United States offer contrasting models of how to react to a collective trauma.
Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Ariel Dorfman
Teaching Peace Teaching Peace
If peacemaking is teachable, why are school so reluctant to offer classes in peace studies?
Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Colman McCarthy
Double Vantage: On Jorge Castañeda Double Vantage: On Jorge Castañeda
In Mañana Forever? Jorge Castañeda chronicles the growth of the middle class to argue that Mexico is not a failed state.
Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Natasha Wimmer
Moral Portents: On Adam Goodheart Moral Portents: On Adam Goodheart
Capes, torches, secret meetings! Adam Goodheart’s 1861 tells the story of the unyielding idealism awakened by the Civil War.
Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Brenda Wineapple