Adventures in Editing: Ted Solotaroff’s ‘Commentary’ Days Adventures in Editing: Ted Solotaroff’s ‘Commentary’ Days
An unfinished memoir by the late literary editor and critic. The first part of a two-part article.
Jan 22, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Ted Solotaroff
Stimulating Reading Stimulating Reading
The economy of reading is rapidly collapsing. If we can bail out banks, why not the book industry?
Jan 22, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Katha Pollitt
Clair de Lune Clair de Lune
We revolt ourselves; we disgust and annoy us. The way we look at us lately chills us to the core. We become like those who seek to destroy us. We push ourselves into small tasks that employ us unrewardingly on purpose. We tire, we bore. We revolt ourselves; we disgust and annoy us. We rent ourselves to what force will enjoy us into oblivion: wind, drink, sleep. We pimp, we whore. We become like those who seek to destroy us. We cat-and-mouse, roughhouse, inflatable-toy us in our heads' red maze, in its den, on its shore. We revolt ourselves; we disgust and annoy us. We take offense at our being; we plot, we deploy us against us and flummox; we wallow, we war. We become like those who seek to destroy us. If in triumph, our defeat; in torture, our joy is. Some confusion so deep I can't fathom anymore. We appall ourselves; we disgust and annoy us into those we become we who seek to destroy us.
Jan 21, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Timothy Donnelly
Underground Man Underground Man
Nimrod Workman's craggy ballads of Mingo County coal country.
Jan 20, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Justin Taylor
Inside the Barack Concert Inside the Barack Concert
Jon Stewart observes that after eight long years good entertainers will perform for the president again.
Jan 20, 2009 / Video / The Daily Show
Dick Cheney: The Final Interview Dick Cheney: The Final Interview
Dick Cheney says his farewells and, as per usual, makes no apologies for his tenure in office.
Jan 19, 2009 / Video / Saturday Night Live
Inaugural Journey Inaugural Journey
Traveling by train to Washington today, to witness an historic inauguration, summons memories of a very different inauguration, fifty-five years ago.
Jan 19, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Victor Navasky
Rock for Barack Rock for Barack
A concert unlike any Washington has seen unfolded Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial, expressing the hopes and dreams of a nation on the cusp of enormous change.
Jan 19, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Corbin Hiar
A Night at the Opera A Night at the Opera
How many people can you stuff in a stateroom the size of a steamer trunk? At least twelve, apparently.
Jan 17, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Mark Van Doren
A Very Different 100 Days A Very Different 100 Days
Many comparisons have been made between Obama and FDR. But the forty-fourth president will have a very different first 100 days.
Jan 17, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Nicholas von Hoffman