Books & the Arts

Salman Rushdie’s Imaginative New ‘Enchantress of Florence’ Salman Rushdie’s Imaginative New ‘Enchantress of Florence’

Salman Rushdie probes the limits of the imagination to produce his most coherent and readable novel.

Aug 27, 2008 / Books & the Arts / William Deresiewicz

‘Zek’ Freedom Brings Back Memories of Stalin’s Russia ‘Zek’ Freedom Brings Back Memories of Stalin’s Russia

The freeing of the "zeks" confronted Russia with living memories of the Terror.

Aug 27, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Stephen F. Cohen

And We Love Life And We Love Life

And we love life if we find a way to it. We dance in between martyrs and raise a minaret for violet or palm trees. We love life if we find a way to it. And we steal from the silkwo…

Aug 27, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Mahmoud Darwish

From King to Obama From King to Obama

Barack Obama stands on the shoulders of many as he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee. One set of those shoulders belongs to Jesse Jackson.

Aug 26, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Steve Cobble

In the Presence of Darwish In the Presence of Darwish

A tribute to the premier Arab poet of the past half-century.

Aug 26, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Sinan Antoon

What Would Mao Think of the Games? What Would Mao Think of the Games?

He'd feel bad that the whole Communist era was airbrushed out of the Olympic spectacle. But he'd probably like the swimming.

Aug 22, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Jeffrey Wasserstrom

From Fannie Lou Hamer to Barack Obama From Fannie Lou Hamer to Barack Obama

Democrats have come a long way from the first Denver convention a century ago.

Aug 15, 2008 / Books & the Arts / John Nichols

Back Talk: Guy Maddin Back Talk: Guy Maddin

The Canadian filmmaker discusses his new film, My Winnipeg, and the importance of cultivating a personal mythology.

Aug 13, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Christine Smallwood

Closely Watched Water Closely Watched Water

Hurricane Katrina seen from an eye in the storm.

Aug 13, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans

The Magic of Baseball Endures The Magic of Baseball Endures

Two new books explore the states of wonder and mortification evoked by baseball.

Aug 13, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Andrew Rice

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