Books and Ideas

What Even Is Spotify?

What Even Is Spotify? What Even Is Spotify?

Is it a streaming giant? Ad-tech broker? Social network? A new book pulls the curtain behind the mysterious company.

Sep 3, 2019 / Joe Veix

This New Book Highlights Arab Women Reporting From the Arab World

This New Book Highlights Arab Women Reporting From the Arab World This New Book Highlights Arab Women Reporting From the Arab World

Zahra Hankir’s anthology Our Women on the Ground elevates vital but often overlooked voices from Morocco to Gaza to Yemen.

Sep 3, 2019 / Sarah Aziza

Labor unions constitutional convention

Labor Rights Are Human Rights — It’s Time We Guaranteed Them in the Constitution Labor Rights Are Human Rights — It’s Time We Guaranteed Them in the Constitution

The US used to tell the world that strong unions were a bulwark against fascism. We should take our own advice and enshrine the right to organize.

Sep 2, 2019 / John Nichols

Mary Frances Whitfield Bears Witness

Mary Frances Whitfield Bears Witness Mary Frances Whitfield Bears Witness

A graceful collection of the painter’s works about racial violence goes on exhibit in Birmingham, Alabama, as residents confront a difficult history.

Aug 29, 2019 / Alexandra Marvar

Rachel Monroe’s Elegant Dissection of True Crime Fanaticism

Rachel Monroe’s Elegant Dissection of True Crime Fanaticism Rachel Monroe’s Elegant Dissection of True Crime Fanaticism

In Savage Appetites, she sketches an unconventional history of some of the 21st century’s most notable and horrific crimes—through the eyes of women on the edges of these acts.

Aug 28, 2019 / Sophie Haigney

Omar Tlaib trump netanyahu

Trump Pressures Israel to Deny Entry to Two Members of Congress Trump Pressures Israel to Deny Entry to Two Members of Congress

A president’s powers should not be employed To get back at people with whom he’s annoyed. But this one’s so eager to punish his foes, he May next send the troops in to capture Pelo…

Aug 27, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Greenland’s New Deal

Greenland’s New Deal Greenland’s New Deal

ignore this…

Aug 27, 2019 / Matt Bors

Caspar Weinberger

Carolyn Forché’s Powerful Reckoning Carolyn Forché’s Powerful Reckoning

In her memoir, the poet confronts America’s role in El Salvador’s brutal civil war.

Aug 27, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Suzy Hansen

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

[Redacted] or Bust [Redacted] or Bust

The Democratic base could build a winning coalition—if they don’t consume themselves first.  

Aug 27, 2019 / Tom Tomorrow

Quentin Tarantino

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Is a Science Fiction Film ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Is a Science Fiction Film

Far from wallowing in nostalgia, Tarantino is using alternative history to critique conventional Hollywood endings.

Aug 23, 2019 / Jeet Heer

x