Books and Ideas

The Making of Our Polluted Age

The Making of Our Polluted Age The Making of Our Polluted Age

Three new books examine how the rise of coal, oil, and gas has permanently remade our world.

Feb 6, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Bill McKibben

US-Mexico border

The Climate Wall: Q&A With Todd Miller The Climate Wall: Q&A With Todd Miller

There is an inextricable link between border militarization and climate change.

Feb 6, 2019 / Q&A / Will Meyer

Can Stoicism Make Us Happy?

Can Stoicism Make Us Happy? Can Stoicism Make Us Happy?

A recent book from the philosopher Massimo Pigliucci attempts to recast ancient Greek philosophy as self-help.

Feb 5, 2019 / Carlos Fraenkel

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

Only One Billionaire is Strong Enough to Save Us Only One Billionaire is Strong Enough to Save Us

His Powers of Risk Assessment Are Too Great to Behold.

Feb 5, 2019 / Tom Tomorrow

Where Does Art Belong?

Where Does Art Belong? Where Does Art Belong?

A trio of recent shows—from Hilma af Klint, Warhol, and Bruce Nauman—propose radically different answers to that question. 

Feb 4, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky

‘Maid’ Offers a Striking Portrait of Single-Working-Motherhood

‘Maid’ Offers a Striking Portrait of Single-Working-Motherhood ‘Maid’ Offers a Striking Portrait of Single-Working-Motherhood

Stephanie Land’s memoir is an intimate look at the day-to-day reality of poverty in the United States.

Jan 31, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Ann-Derrick Gaillot

Sign of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The Dark Side of the Cult of Ruth Bader Ginsburg The Dark Side of the Cult of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Justice Ginsburg is an essential voice on the Supreme Court— but portraying her as a dissenter obscures the work of more radical women of color.

Jan 30, 2019 / Mari Uyehara

Computers Were Supposed to Be Good

Computers Were Supposed to Be Good Computers Were Supposed to Be Good

Joy Lisi Rankin’s book on the history of personal computing looks at the technology’s forgotten democratic promise.

Jan 30, 2019 / Gillian Terzis

Reckoning With the Man Who Sold Architecture to the Masses

Reckoning With the Man Who Sold Architecture to the Masses Reckoning With the Man Who Sold Architecture to the Masses

A new biography explores how Philip Johnson’s career transformed architecture into the celebrity-obsessed and market-driven field it’s become. 

Jan 29, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Kate Wagner

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

Trump Killed Satire Trump Killed Satire

What’s a comic artist to do in these times?

Jan 29, 2019 / Tom Tomorrow

x