Werner Herzog’s Maniacal Quests Werner Herzog’s Maniacal Quests
A newly published travel journal shows how walking, like filmmaking, brings us to the naked core of existence.
Jan 7, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Noah Isenberg
Hodgepodge, Mismatch, and Wild Disproportion Hodgepodge, Mismatch, and Wild Disproportion
Dueling satirical films about white-supremacist America, and how not to be an imbecile when criticizing Star Wars.
Jan 7, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
‘Gifts of Thought to Europe From an Intimate Stranger’ ‘Gifts of Thought to Europe From an Intimate Stranger’
A brilliant exhibit in London uses archival fragments to tell a story of violence and creation.
Jan 7, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Yasmine Seale
How Has Islamic Orthodoxy Changed Over Time? How Has Islamic Orthodoxy Changed Over Time?
A new book by the late scholar Shahab Ahmed reveals the capaciousness, complexity, and contradictions of Islam.
Dec 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Elias Muhanna
Is Anxiety the Price We Pay For Freedom? Is Anxiety the Price We Pay For Freedom?
The neuroscience of fear is incomplete without an account of philosophy and politics.
Dec 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Simon Wolfe Taylor
Dreamers, Drifters, Mopers, and Defeatists Dreamers, Drifters, Mopers, and Defeatists
Adrian Tomine’s universe features a society of contingent values, ill-defined expectations, and diminishing options.
Dec 23, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
It’s Time To Stop Ignoring South Korean Abstract Art It’s Time To Stop Ignoring South Korean Abstract Art
Korean monochrome painting, or tansaekhwa, originated in a deep ambivalence about painting.
Dec 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
‘Who Is Going to Believe You?’ ‘Who Is Going to Believe You?’
The fate of Yakub Memon, who was executed last summer by the Indian state, shows that reality needn’t be transfigured for its absurdity to be understood.
Dec 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Abhrajyoti Chakraborty
Forget What You’ve Heard: These Were the Ten Best Albums of 2015 Forget What You’ve Heard: These Were the Ten Best Albums of 2015
In a year when sales numbers fell to an all-time low, the quality of music produced was stunningly high.
Dec 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Support the Troops… and Support Me Support the Troops… and Support Me
A new history of the military welfare state shows how politicians and military leaders have draped themselves in yellow ribbons to advance their own careers.
Dec 17, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Martha Saxton