Books and Ideas

If This Isn’t War If This Isn’t War

A musical answer to a bellicose question, with apologies to Yip Harburg and Burton Lane.

Apr 13, 2006 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Gospel of Scooter The Gospel of Scooter

A political nightmare, with a scriptural spin, tells the true story of two nefarious lords and their faithful servant.

Apr 12, 2006 / Feature / Richard Lingeman

The Nino Scalia Guide to Sicilian Hand Gestures The Nino Scalia Guide to Sicilian Hand Gestures

It can now be revealed that Justice Antonin Scalia has compiled his own secret list of Sicilian hand gestures expressing subtle jurisprudential points.

Apr 10, 2006 / Feature / Garrett Epps

Rabbit’s Revenge Rabbit’s Revenge

Time-honored traditions of Christianity are being challenged by scientists and scholars questioning the motives of Jesus, Judas and the power of prayer.

Apr 10, 2006 / Column / Nicholas von Hoffman

The World According to Karen Finley The World According to Karen Finley

Performance artist Karen Finley answers questions about politics, satire and her new book, a fantasy affair between George W. Bush and Martha Stewart.

Apr 7, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Bryan Farrell

The Odd Couple The Odd Couple

In Sound and Fury, sportswriter Dave Kindred examines the intersecting lives of Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell.

Apr 6, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Gene Seymour

Inside Man Inside Man

In America at the Crossroads, Francis Fukuyama critiques the neoconservative movement and its disastrous defense of the Iraq War. But he remains fully committed to the unchecked us...

Apr 6, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Perry Anderson

Strangers in the Land Strangers in the Land

Human Cargo and The Rights of Others chronicle the plight of refugees and migrants, revealing how seemingly simple moral positions can assume toxic political form.

Mar 23, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Corey Robin

Brother From Another Planet Brother From Another Planet

If you missed the 1995 CUNY "Question of Identity" conference, the issue of October magazine devoted to it, the "remarkable" essay on the same subject in Diacritics or--even wo...

Mar 23, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Russell Jacoby

Experimental Art Experimental Art

Alan Lightman makes scientists into artists in his new book The Discoveries, promoting original journal articles as "the great novels and symphonies of science."

Mar 16, 2006 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Foer

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