Putting Stories Into the World Putting Stories Into the World
Nathan Englander’s play, The Twenty-Seventh Man, focuses on the moment that Yiddish culture in Russia died a sudden and unnatural death.
Jan 2, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman
The Revolution Added Two Years: On Cairo The Revolution Added Two Years: On Cairo
How the neoliberal urban development schemes of the Mubarak regime have gained new life under the Muslim Brotherhood.
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Frederick Deknatel
Off-Key: On Paul Elie Off-Key: On Paul Elie
Can recordings of classical music ever be in concert with concert hall performances?
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michael O’Donnell
written on a paper bag written on a paper bag
clover flowers fleck to dirt withered ferns nuzzle furl plaid oak leaf mossy incline eaten leaf pinholes slunk rotted hemlocks crocus or lily-like leaves eclipse pond’s methane edges autumn drunken yellow jackets bees and reeds birch branch in beige sand wind peaks prods flower shadows wobble pronged bobbing filaments
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jess Mynes
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Ayana Mathis’s The Twelve Tribes of Hattie; Andrey Platonov’s Happy Moscow
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Thier
Largest Mass Execution in US History: 150 Years Ago Today Largest Mass Execution in US History: 150 Years Ago Today
Lincoln ordered the execution of thirty-eight Dakota Indians for rebellion—but never ordered the execution of Confederate officials or generals.
Dec 26, 2012 / Jon Wiener
‘Django Unchained’: Quentin Tarantino’s Answer to Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’ ‘Django Unchained’: Quentin Tarantino’s Answer to Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’
In one film, grateful black people; in the other, the vengeful ones.
Dec 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jon Wiener
Watching ‘The House I Live In’ on Rikers Island Watching ‘The House I Live In’ on Rikers Island
Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki is on a mission to show his Sundance-award winning movie, The House I Live In, to prisoners across the country. On a Friday in December, he went to New Yor...
Dec 21, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Liliana Segura
Qualifications to Be Secretary of State, According to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham Qualifications to Be Secretary of State, According to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham
Though Condoleezza Rice had once avowed The smoking gun might be a mushroom cloud And thus invasion simply couldn’t wait, She was considered qualified for State. Reciting talking points on Sunday shows This year was quite sufficient to foreclose The chance that Susan Rice would ever lead At State—so Graham and McCain agreed. The senators, when left to their devices Make use of different rules for different Rices.
Dec 19, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Suspicious Minds: On Timothy Melley Suspicious Minds: On Timothy Melley
How thrillers inform spycraft, and the fictions that belie them both.
Dec 19, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Peter C. Baker