Books & the Arts

Back Talk: Nicholson Baker Back Talk: Nicholson Baker

In the debut of a new biweekly series, the author of Human Smoke discusses pacifism and World War II.

Apr 17, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Christine Smallwood

Her Good Thing Her Good Thing

The versatile vocalist Mable John, now a novelist and minister, has come a long way since the 1960s soul era that made her (almost) famous.

Apr 17, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Nathaniel Friedman

Every Photo an Archive Every Photo an Archive

Peppered with moving, thought-provoking elements, the photographic exhibition "Archive Fever" is fascinating but essentially incoherent.

Apr 17, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Susie Linfield

Arms and the Right Arms and the Right

Two books dissect the contentious, confusing debate over gun control and the frequently misinterpreted Second Amendment.

Apr 17, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Lazare

Iraq’s Ruined Library Soldiers On Iraq’s Ruined Library Soldiers On

Five years ago this week, US troops stood by as mobs sacked Iraq's revered National Library and Archives. Despite little outside help, a cultural treasure soldiers on.

Apr 10, 2008 / Books & the Arts / R.H. Lossin

Phil Donahue’s War Phil Donahue’s War

His new documentary is breaking the taboo that says Americans cannot stomach the reality of the Iraq War.

Apr 9, 2008 / Books & the Arts / John Nichols

Spots, Smudges and Glitter Spots, Smudges and Glitter

A tour of the New York art galleries reveals a number of talented artists exploring the possibilities of "bad" representational painting.

Apr 9, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky

Un Ballon Est un Ballon Un Ballon Est un Ballon

In Flight of the Red Balloon, filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien takes on an unmistakably Parisian story with unbridled creative abandon.

Apr 9, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans

The March The March

There were two or three stragglers who couldn't keep up with the rest. I said to the captain, "What should we do about

Apr 9, 2008 / Books & the Arts / James Tate

Man Out of Time Man Out of Time

In Hari Kunzru's captivating new novel My Revolutions, a former anti-Vietnam terrorist is dredged up after half a lifetime underground.

Apr 9, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Mark Sorkin

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