Books and Ideas

The Uncategorizable Bruno Latour (1947–2022)

The Uncategorizable Bruno Latour (1947–2022) The Uncategorizable Bruno Latour (1947–2022)

The scholar, who passed last week, revolutionized the field of science and technology studies and challenged the very notion of disciplinary boundaries.

Oct 18, 2022 / Obituary / Paul N. Edwards and Gabrielle Hecht

MI5’s War Against British Intellectuals and Artists

MI5’s War Against British Intellectuals and Artists MI5’s War Against British Intellectuals and Artists

The British Security Service’s futile record of harassment and surveillance.

Oct 18, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Richard J. Evans

View of the entrance to Julia Richman Education Complex High School on Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York, N.Y.

Gallia Est Omnis Divisa in Partes Tres Gallia Est Omnis Divisa in Partes Tres

NYU organic chemistry professor fired after students complain that his course is too difficult.—News reports A pity that she’s now beneath the soil. She rests in peace, where one c…

Oct 18, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

How the United States Fails the Chronically Ill

How the United States Fails the Chronically Ill How the United States Fails the Chronically Ill

In her new book, the poet and critic Meghan O’Rourke charts her and many Americans’ struggle with chronic illness.

Oct 17, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Libby Watson

A young woman has a cup of coffee while shopping on the Internet in the 1990s.

The Intimate and Interconnected History of the Internet The Intimate and Interconnected History of the Internet

Kevin Driscoll’s new book The Modem World offers a picture of an early Internet defined by community, experimentation, and lack of privacy. 

Oct 14, 2022 / Q&A / Jacob Bruggeman

John Nichols on Democrats and Marijuana, Plus Greil Marcus on Bob Dylan

John Nichols on Democrats and Marijuana, Plus Greil Marcus on Bob Dylan John Nichols on Democrats and Marijuana, Plus Greil Marcus on Bob Dylan

On this week's episode of Start Making Sense, writers join the show to talk about Democratic strategy and a new biography. 

Oct 13, 2022 / Podcast / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Nation Poetry

Windbreak Windbreak

  In hurricane season the old trees suffer. Especially the ones standing alone. Their roots no match for a summer wind churning at sea, inhaling slights and salt air, then rus…

Oct 13, 2022 / Poems / John Freeman

Banning Books Is a Threat to Public Education

Banning Books Is a Threat to Public Education Banning Books Is a Threat to Public Education

To say nothing of the fact that we don’t value reading enough in the first place!

Oct 13, 2022 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Hermann Burger’s Frenzied Harmonies

Hermann Burger’s Frenzied Harmonies Hermann Burger’s Frenzied Harmonies

His roman à clef Brenner documents the last days of a hyper-articulate and depressive scion of a cigar fortune. 

Oct 13, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Charlie Lee

The American Socialism That Might Have Been

The American Socialism That Might Have Been The American Socialism That Might Have Been

Despite their minority status, the Socialists had been a significant force in American politics before patriotic war hysteria brought on an era of repression.

Oct 12, 2022 / Adam Hochschild

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