From Cairo to Córdoba: The Story of the Cairo Geniza From Cairo to Córdoba: The Story of the Cairo Geniza
Adina Hoffman and Peter Cole's Sacred Trash offers a precious meditation on how the discovery of hidden hoards of history can transform our worlds.
Jun 1, 2011 / Books & the Arts / David Nirenberg
An Unfinished Tradition: On Édouard Manet An Unfinished Tradition: On Édouard Manet
Édouard Manet has become a popular painter, yet he remains a difficult and unpredictable one.
Jun 1, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
Dance with the Devil Dance with the Devil
Terrence Malick's Tree of Life; David Balding's One Lucky Elephant; Kristen Wiig's Bridesmaids; Todd Phillips's The Hangover Part II.
Jun 1, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
Onderdunk Road Onderdunk Road
from the Iroquois Museum came the story of a sky woman who fell thru the clouds and was caught by geese who set her down on a turtle’s back. Thus, people came on Bear Road there were no bears on Schoolhouse Road only a swamp on the state highway freight trucks roared past us for half a mile and on Red Barn Road somebody had recently painted a barn red and there the mud-covered cows charged toward us and waited for a word at the hot-wired fence we told them we meant Helios no offense weeping willow trees were always close to houses while lichen-covered, crag-wrinkled trees had faces to be seen, recognized on them all these barns with roofs sagging like wet paper tear themselves down by decay unstitched nails pop from buckled walls under which the white ash and maple sprout when we came down from the hill where fog enshrouded us rushing water in culverts was loud but invisible
Jun 1, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Bouchard
Contemplating the Republican Presidential Field, Late-Night Comics Lament Contemplating the Republican Presidential Field, Late-Night Comics Lament
So Trump is out. We’ve lost our best buffoon— We’ll surely miss that gaseous air balloon. Oh sure, there’s Newt. Though Newt jokes once were great, They’re getting old. He’s past his sell-by date. Chris Christie was the one we hoped they’d draft. Yes, in our fondest daydreams people laughed As we eyed Christie’s body, fore and aft, Comparing him to William Howard Taft. But Christie has insisted he’ll not run. Is anybody left who’s any fun? Oh Lord, please hear our prayers. We’re on our knees. At least just leave us Sarah Palin—please.
Jun 1, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Three Poems by Ange Mlinko Three Poems by Ange Mlinko
"After Sappho (The Volcano)," "The Children's Museum," "Threading the Q"
May 31, 2011 / Audio / Ange Mlinko
Remembering Gil Scott-Heron Remembering Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron's political legacy was vast and his connections to social movements deep.
May 28, 2011 / Blog / Peter Rothberg
Ed Schultz, Laura Ingraham, a Crude Word, a Classy Apology Ed Schultz, Laura Ingraham, a Crude Word, a Classy Apology
It was a bad week for a good man, but the MSNBC host will be back to give voice to working men and women.
May 27, 2011 / Blog / John Nichols
Mitch Daniels Announces That He Will Not Run for President Mitch Daniels Announces That He Will Not Run for President
We bid Mitch Daniels fond adieu, And say, “Mitch, we admire you For saying that what you love best Is family, and not this quest.” Most candidates, without a doubt, Seem best to us when they drop out.
May 26, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Monster and Monterrey: The Politics and Cartels of Mexico’s Drug War The Monster and Monterrey: The Politics and Cartels of Mexico’s Drug War
When organized crime and drug violence came to Monterrey, the city turned to the military for help. It was a choice many would come to regret.
May 25, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Nik Steinberg