Books and Ideas

The Claustrophobic World of Anna Burns’s ‘Milkman’

The Claustrophobic World of Anna Burns’s ‘Milkman’ The Claustrophobic World of Anna Burns’s ‘Milkman’

Her Man Booker–winning novel offers a haunting look at daily life during The Troubles.

Feb 21, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz

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Letters From the March 11-28, 2019, Issue Letters From the March 11-28, 2019, Issue

Laughing Through the Pain Thank you for the good laugh you gave me with the title of John Nichols’s article, “Trump at Two” [Feb. 11/18]. I had to pause to ask myself whether the p…

Feb 21, 2019 / Our Readers

Tana French’s Crime-Fiction Masterpiece

Tana French’s Crime-Fiction Masterpiece Tana French’s Crime-Fiction Masterpiece

The Witch Elm is a triumph of the genre.

Feb 21, 2019 / Books & the Arts / J. Robert Lennon

The Southern Paradox: The Democratic Party Below the Mason-Dixon Line

The Southern Paradox: The Democratic Party Below the Mason-Dixon Line The Southern Paradox: The Democratic Party Below the Mason-Dixon Line

Why and how the region switched from being the stronghold of one party to the base of its adversary.

Feb 21, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Michael Kazin

How the Failure of Our Foreign Wars Fueled Nativist Fanaticism

How the Failure of Our Foreign Wars Fueled Nativist Fanaticism How the Failure of Our Foreign Wars Fueled Nativist Fanaticism

For nearly two centuries, US politicians have channeled extremism outward. But the frontier is gone, the empire is faltering, and the chickens are coming home to roost.

Feb 21, 2019 / Feature / Greg Grandin

Gucci Blackface

White People Can’t Quit Blackface White People Can’t Quit Blackface

And it’s not because they think it’s funny.

Feb 20, 2019 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Abandoned newspaper vending machines, Covina, California, 2011.

Are We Witnessing the End of News? Are We Witnessing the End of News?

If you think the media are in trouble now, just wait till there’s a recession.

Feb 20, 2019 / Column / Eric Alterman

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

The Eco-Police Are Coming for You! The Eco-Police Are Coming for You!

The Green New Dealers want your private property, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it!

Feb 19, 2019 / Tom Tomorrow

Wellness Is Always a Scam

Wellness Is Always a Scam Wellness Is Always a Scam

Sam Lipsyte’s novel Hark is a righteous send-up of self-help gobbledegook and the mindfulness industry.

Feb 15, 2019 / Nathan Goldman

Julia Wolfe’s Haunting Elegy to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

Julia Wolfe’s Haunting Elegy to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Julia Wolfe’s Haunting Elegy to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

A monumental achievement in high musical drama, Wolfe’s new piece Fire in my mouth is already one of the year’s best performances.

Feb 14, 2019 / David Hajdu

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