Books and Ideas

Empire as a Way of Life Empire as a Way of Life

Two new histories of British imperial rule in India take the narrow view. In fact, the scandal of empire can be isolated neither to Europe nor to the past.

Jul 13, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Linda Colley

Legal Weapon Legal Weapon

International law offers protection to the oppressed. In Are Women Human?, feminist legal scholar Catharine A. MacKinnon exposes the hypocrisy of not extending the same protectio...

Jul 13, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Martha C. Nussbaum

A Summary of Bush Administration Statements on Its Conduct of the ‘War on Terror’ A Summary of Bush Administration Statements on Its Conduct of the ‘War on Terror’

There's not a lot anyone needs to know.

Jul 13, 2006 / Column / Calvin Trillin

David ‘Duff’ Dretzin David ‘Duff’ Dretzin

David "Duff" Dretzin had a big heart, a social conscience and a keen sense of humor. He will be missed.

Jul 13, 2006 / The Editors

The American Political Tradition The American Political Tradition

American foreign policy is shaped by a myth of national righteousness. In two new books, Peter Beinart abuses history to suggest liberals embrace this myth, while Stephen Kinzer us...

Jul 10, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Andrew J. Bacevich

How to Create a Liberal Bestseller How to Create a Liberal Bestseller

Progressives can take a lesson from the success of "How Would a Patriot Act?" Mobilize the liberal blogosphere and take an obscure book for a ride on the bestseller list.

Jun 29, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Jennifer Nix

Shadows Shadows

George Hutchinson's new biography of the mystery woman of the Harlem Renaissance reconsiders both Nella Larsen and a key moment of black cultural history.

Jun 28, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Darryl Pinckney

Historical Note Historical Note

For once, the President tells the truth.

Jun 28, 2006 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Plot Against America The Plot Against America

John Updike's Terrorist rips its plot from the headlines. But the book's Irish-Egyptian protagonist is paper-thin, and its jihad-lit plot remains stubbornly inanimate, devoid of pa...

Jun 26, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Shainin

Who’s Really Screwing America Who’s Really Screwing America

Right-wing nutcase Bernard Goldberg may think he has a lock on who's messing up the Republic, but consider Dan Brown, Joe Franklin, Tucker Carlson...

Jun 23, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Jack Huberman

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