Books and Ideas

The 1990s Were Meant to Be the End of History—Instead They Birthed the Future

The 1990s Were Meant to Be the End of History—Instead They Birthed the Future The 1990s Were Meant to Be the End of History—Instead They Birthed the Future

Welcome to The Nation’s '90s issue, a heady romp through the decade that set the stage for the present moment.

Dec 12, 2022 / Lizzy Ratner, Regina Mahone, Ludwig Hurtado, and Alana Pockros

A protester at the 1999 World Trade Organization demon

How the Left Was Lost in the 1990s—but Found Its Way Again How the Left Was Lost in the 1990s—but Found Its Way Again

In the 1990s, the left was embattled and diminished. But it kept the flame burning just enough for a new generation to come along and give it oxygen.

Dec 12, 2022 / Feature / Naomi Klein

How Food Became a Weapon in the Right’s Culture Wars

How Food Became a Weapon in the Right’s Culture Wars How Food Became a Weapon in the Right’s Culture Wars

First came the politics of right-wing grievance. Then came the new foodie culture. Together, they combined to create one toxic food fight.

Dec 12, 2022 / Feature / Brent Cunningham

Margo Jefferson and the Art of Life

Margo Jefferson and the Art of Life Margo Jefferson and the Art of Life

In her work, especially her new book Constructing a Nervous System, she transforms criticism into an experience one feels in the body, not just the mind.

Dec 9, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Kelton Ellis

The Political Story of Charles Barkley

The Political Story of Charles Barkley The Political Story of Charles Barkley

On this week's episode of the Edge of Sports podcast, Tim Bella joins the show to talk about his new biography of Charles Barkley.

Dec 7, 2022 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

The Myth of the Knicks

The Myth of the Knicks The Myth of the Knicks

In Chris Herring's recent history of the New York basketball team, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the sports commentariat's fixation on grit and toughness.

Dec 7, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Zito Madu

A New Kind of Trans Poetics

A New Kind of Trans Poetics A New Kind of Trans Poetics

In A Queen in Bucks County, Kay Gabriel finds a connection between trans femininity and modernism as she documents one person's winding journey from suburb to city.

Dec 6, 2022 / Books & the Arts / McKenzie Wark

A panel from Love That Bunch, by Aline Kominsky-Crumb

The Queen of Candor: Aline Kominsky-Crumb 1948–2022 The Queen of Candor: Aline Kominsky-Crumb 1948–2022

Her fearless autobiographical stories revolutionized cartooning.

Dec 5, 2022 / Obituary / Jeet Heer

Staughton Lynd at peace march

Staughton Lynd Never Lost the Courage of His Convictions Staughton Lynd Never Lost the Courage of His Convictions

The historian and activist, who died last month, paid a steep price for his commitments. Yet he managed to find a way to keep agitating, and keep writing, while always remaining tr...

Dec 5, 2022 / Joshua Freeman

The statue of the Confederate general Robert E. Lee is removed

The Question of the Offensive Monument The Question of the Offensive Monument

What do we lose by simply removing monuments? Robert Bevan attempts to answer that question in a recent book, Monumental Lies.

Dec 5, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Erin L. Thompson

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