Books and Ideas

Donald Trump

George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated George Washington and the Cherry Tree—Updated

Young George could not deny he felled that tree. His moral code would certainly forbid it. In such a situation, Trump would say, “I cannot tell a lie: Obama did it.”…

Sep 8, 2020 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Can the American University Be Saved?

Can the American University Be Saved? Can the American University Be Saved?

Covid-19 has revealed the glaring inequalities of higher ed in the United States and may push the system to the point of crisis.

Sep 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Bessner

C Pam Zhang’s Radical Retelling of Western Myths

C Pam Zhang’s Radical Retelling of Western Myths C Pam Zhang’s Radical Retelling of Western Myths

Her novel How Much of These Hills Is Gold follows two Chinese American siblings’ quest to find home amidst the prejudice and danger of the frontier. 

Sep 8, 2020 / Books & the Arts / Larissa Pham

The Whitelash Next Time

The Whitelash Next Time The Whitelash Next Time

Whenever the pendulum swings toward Black equality and full citizenship, white supremacy mounts a counteroffensive.

Sep 8, 2020 / Column / Kali Holloway

Trump’s National Labor Relations Board Is Sabotaging Its Own Mission

Trump’s National Labor Relations Board Is Sabotaging Its Own Mission Trump’s National Labor Relations Board Is Sabotaging Its Own Mission

The federal agency that’s supposed to protect union rights is instead championing the interests of bosses.

Sep 7, 2020 / Feature / Michelle Chen

The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics

The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics The Looter Is the Most Misunderstood Figure in American Politics

A conversation with Vicky Osterweil about misconceptions around the politics of looting and its radical tradition.

Sep 3, 2020 / Q&A / Stephen Kearse

Donald Trump sitting next to two Fox News anchors.

The Sycophants at Fox News The Sycophants at Fox News

Brian Stelter’s book Hoax gets half the story about the toadies of cable news.  

Sep 3, 2020 / Column / Eric Alterman

Is This the First Great Quarantine Novel?

Is This the First Great Quarantine Novel? Is This the First Great Quarantine Novel?

Alice Knott tells the story of a housebound heiress going slowly mad from a combination of 24-hour news and isolation.

Sep 2, 2020 / Brooks Sterritt

Kaveh Akbar

‘The Nation’ Names Kaveh Akbar Poetry Editor ‘The Nation’ Names Kaveh Akbar Poetry Editor

Taking over stewardship of the magazine’s renowned poetry section, Akbar will solicit and commission for both the print magazine and website as well as oversee other poetry-related...

Sep 1, 2020 / Press Room

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

In Trump’s America, Domestic Terrorists Thrive In Trump’s America, Domestic Terrorists Thrive

White terrorism only inspires more white terrorism, and the cops welcome it.

Sep 1, 2020 / Tom Tomorrow

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