Books & the Arts

A scene from Rabin, the Last Day.

Israel’s Willful Blindness Israel’s Willful Blindness

Two films explore why the Israeli peace movement collapsed, and, taken together, might advance you toward an answer.

Feb 3, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans

An anonymous painting from the 15th century of St. William of Norwich (detail).

The Origins of Blood Libel The Origins of Blood Libel

E.M. Rose reconsiders where the anti-Semitic slur came from, and how it stuck around.

Jan 28, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Madeleine Schwartz

J.M. Coetzee.

J.M. Coetzee’s Facts of Life J.M. Coetzee’s Facts of Life

For the South African author, the selves we write and read may be truer than any other.

Jan 28, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Becca Rothfeld

From The Arab of the Future, volume 1, by Riad Sattouf.

The Future of the Arab The Future of the Arab

Riad Sattouf’s biting graphic memoir ignores the big picture of politics in the Middle East and focuses instead on daily life and the imposition of authority through violence.

Jan 27, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Ursula Lindsey

Pine

Pine Pine

Slid the video in. Lost the flagship. Poor & empty, I took to materials, not seriatim but Matryoshka nonetheless. In rained Saturday, the ersatz hull of the husk close to touc…

Jan 27, 2016 / Books & the Arts / E.G. Cunningham

David Bowie Singing

Why Donny McCaslin Was David Bowie’s David Bowie Why Donny McCaslin Was David Bowie’s David Bowie

In the making of Blackstar, David Bowie trusted that Donny McCaslin and his quartet would invoke a profoundly emotive album.

Jan 26, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Donald Trump

Trump the Improviser? Trump the Improviser?

This candidate operates in a jazz-like fashion, but all he makes is unexpected noise.

Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Point First, Shoot Later

Point First, Shoot Later Point First, Shoot Later

Two museum exhibitions emphasize possible approaches to how an artist can navigate the oceans of photography around us.

Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky

The Selden map.

Before Europe’s Intrusion Before Europe’s Intrusion

A 17th-century map reinforces what few other than historians of China have known: It was an open and diverse world with a long tradition of maritime commerce.

Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

Antonin Scalia.

What’s the Point of a Supreme Court Dissent? What’s the Point of a Supreme Court Dissent?

A recent book shows that, before Antonin Scalia, dissents were valuable to the Court. Now they may be endangering the institution.

Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Michael O’Donnell

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