Books and Ideas

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders watch as Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters after a meeting between President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats about the U.S. government partial shutdown and the president's demand for a border wall in the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 9, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Who’s Going to Tell Trump? Who’s Going to Tell Trump?

Breaking: A report from inside the White House reveals infighting among advisers, consternation over Norwegian socialism, and the importance of chocolate milkshakes.

Apr 4, 2019 / Calvin Trillin

Central American migrants

Odd Reasoning Odd Reasoning

“Trump to cut millions in aid to 3 Central American countries.” —The Washington Post The surge of migrants comes from countries where Conditions are, to say the least, adverse. So…

Apr 4, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Houston You Don’t Know

The Houston You Don’t Know The Houston You Don’t Know

Bryan Washington’s short-story collection Lot is a loving, multifaceted picture of a Texas metropolis in flux.     

Apr 2, 2019 / Bradley Babendir

When Socialism Was Tried in America—and Was a Smashing Success

When Socialism Was Tried in America—and Was a Smashing Success When Socialism Was Tried in America—and Was a Smashing Success

For much of the 20th century, Milwaukee was run by socialists—and Time magazine called it “one of the best-run cities in the U.S.”

Apr 2, 2019 / John Nichols

Mideast Bahrain US Military

An American Soldier’s Dissent An American Soldier’s Dissent

A veteran criticizes the US Army for racism, sexual violence, and a toxic culture that places “duty’” above ethics.

Apr 1, 2019 / Danny Sjursen

The Travails of Emmanuel Macron

The Travails of Emmanuel Macron The Travails of Emmanuel Macron

A new book equates the French president's rise to a revolution. For much of France’s working and middle classes, it has been nothing short of a disaster.

Apr 1, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Cole Stangler

The Myth of the American Frontier

The Myth of the American Frontier The Myth of the American Frontier

Greg Grandin’s new book charts the past and present of American expansionism and its high human costs.

Apr 1, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Jedediah Britton-Purdy

‘How Do You Address Disappearance?’: A Q&A With Valeria Luiselli

‘How Do You Address Disappearance?’: A Q&A With Valeria Luiselli ‘How Do You Address Disappearance?’: A Q&A With Valeria Luiselli

Her new novel, Lost Children Archive, spotlights the mistreatment of migrant children, and in the process, interrogates timely questions about storytelling during times of crisis.&...

Apr 1, 2019 / John Washington

A veteran mourning McCain

Low Point? Low Point?

Is what Trump said of John McCain As low as low can get? No. Knowing Trump, it’s likely that We ain’t seen nothing yet.

Mar 28, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Letters Icon

Letters From the April 15, 2019, Issue Letters From the April 15, 2019, Issue

What about the Marshall Court?… The white supremacists around us… Debating the need for debate…

Mar 28, 2019 / Our Readers

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