Books and Ideas

Jack Black and Many More Star in ‘Prop 8: The Musical’ Jack Black and Many More Star in ‘Prop 8: The Musical’

Hollywood stars like Jack Black, John C. Reilly and Neil Patrick Harris parody the absurdity of the religious right's pro-Prop 8 position...in song.

Dec 3, 2008 / Funny or Die

Trilling’s Sandbags: Lionel Trilling’s Critical Essays Trilling’s Sandbags: Lionel Trilling’s Critical Essays

Re-reading a literary critic who regarded intelligence as a moral imperative.

Dec 3, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Stefan Collini

Bush Labor Department Hurries to Change Toxic Substance Rules Before Obama Takes Office Bush Labor Department Hurries to Change Toxic Substance Rules Before Obama Takes Office

White House duck vs. the coal-mine canary.

Dec 2, 2008 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Beyond the Bailout State Beyond the Bailout State

If original thinking doesn't find a home among the Obama administration's Clinton-era Brainiacs, how can we move beyond the bailout state?

Dec 1, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Steve Fraser

The Three Bozos of the Apocalypse The Three Bozos of the Apocalypse

The automotive jet set goes to Washington.

Nov 25, 2008 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Saturday Night Live Parodies Rahm Emanuel Saturday Night Live Parodies Rahm Emanuel

President-elect Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, has a message for you: Be afraid, be very afraid.

Nov 24, 2008 / Saturday Night Live

Obama Obsessed Fans Go Into Withdrawal Obama Obsessed Fans Go Into Withdrawal

Obama's candidacy was the only thing that gave their lives any meaning, now they wander aimlessly, unsure of what to do with themselves.

Nov 21, 2008 / The Onion

How Wood Works: The Riches and Limits of James Wood How Wood Works: The Riches and Limits of James Wood

James Wood may be the best literary critic we have, but the status he enjoys reveals just how far we have fallen.

Nov 19, 2008 / Books & the Arts / William Deresiewicz

Her Nature Was Future: Emily Dickinson’s White Heat Her Nature Was Future: Emily Dickinson’s White Heat

The intimate friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson takes wing in two new books.

Nov 19, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Ange Mlinko

Back Talk: Toni Morrison Back Talk: Toni Morrison

The Nobel Prize-winning author talks about Barack Obama, the writer; language; and her new novel, A Mercy.

Nov 19, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Christine Smallwood

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