Books and Ideas

Patriotic Bore Patriotic Bore

Two recent books on Tom Paine and on the unruly birth of US democracy reveal that liberal historians have become believers in the 'radicalism' of the American Revolution.

Aug 25, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Lazare

The Philosophy of Art The Philosophy of Art

Arthur Danto talks about art in America, the rise of pluralism and how The Nation changed his life.

Aug 18, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Natasha Degen

After Hours After Hours

At Day's Close details everything that went on in the pre-industrial night, from fear to licentiousness.

Aug 11, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Terry Eagleton

The Twilight Zone The Twilight Zone

Though Bergelson wrote in Germany during the 1920s, his stories in Shadows of Berlin are more focused on the past apocalypse than the impending one.

Aug 11, 2005 / Books & the Arts / J. Hoberman

The Unexamined Life The Unexamined Life

Sean Wilsey's new memoir is a vulnerable, aching, unresolved account of growing up rich amid San Francisco's high society.

Aug 11, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Lee Siegel

Spectacle Spectacle

Recent movies including War of the Worlds and Land of the Dead reflect today's political landscape.

Aug 11, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Richard Goldstein

The Buzz and the Fury The Buzz and the Fury

Faulkner does Oprah.

Aug 4, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Richard Lingeman

Fables of the Reconstruction Fables of the Reconstruction

The Informant and Son of the Rough South examine the dynamics of moral choice through the lens of the civil rights movement.

Jul 28, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Diane McWhorter

The Treason of the Clerics The Treason of the Clerics

Foucault and the Iranian Revolution details the story of Foucault's induction into journalism as a political correspondent in Iran.

Jul 28, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Rée

Apple’s America Apple’s America

In high school I suffered from a case of unrequited admiration; a favorite teacher barely knew my name.

Jul 21, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Natasha Degen

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