Landlocked: On American Property Landlocked: On American Property
In the secret history of property law, property rests on the authority of the state.
Jun 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Hendrik Hartog
Tutelary Tutelary
Solace from anemones, sepals of instinct pushing the air. Why do they matter so much, there in the room at noon while nothing moves around them: scarlet, creams, and burgundies, magenta, bone-white, and bruise-like blues; the wind’s daughter, or bride, for some, for others a temple to the wounds of Tammuz— or living itself, wordless, longing. Where is that luminous lusciousness from?
Jun 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Peter Cole
Impossible to Tell: On Robert Pinsky Impossible to Tell: On Robert Pinsky
Robert Pinsky’s Selected Poems shows that being popular doesn't entail being predictable.
Jun 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jeremy Bass
Poor Boys and Pilgrims Poor Boys and Pilgrims
Eric on Heart and Paul Simon and Reed on the absurdity of the anger surrounding leaks.
Jun 15, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman
The Likability Factor The Likability Factor
“The polls agree: President Barack Obama is likable. The question is whether he’s likable enough to get re-elected.” — Politico It’s said, as a rule, the most likable guy Is likely the guy who’ll pull through. And, given the candidates now set to try, The Democrats hope that is true. Though voters, polls show, think Obama is cool And Romney is colder than ice, More likable’s not an infallible tool. Remember: Dick Nixon won twice.
Jun 14, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
A Vast Choir of Voices: On Claude Lanzmann A Vast Choir of Voices: On Claude Lanzmann
In his memoir, The Patagonian Hare, the Shoah director’s life upstages his masterwork.
Jun 13, 2012 / Books & the Arts / David Rieff
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Emily Bernard’s Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance.
Jun 13, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Jelly-Schapiro
Heart and Soul Heart and Soul
Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, Kirby Dick’s The Invisible War, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus
Jun 13, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’ A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’
The values of the market have come to permeate every aspect of our society.
Jun 6, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner
Business Experience Business Experience
Last week, Mitt Romney floated an idea at a campaign rally in Las Vegas: the future president should be required to have three years of business experience before serving in office. —The Washington Post Experience in business is vital, said Mitt— Three years at the least, in the plan he unveiled. Though Truman’s accomplishments seem to suggest The business in question would have to have failed.
Jun 6, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin