History

Getting to Denmark: On Francis Fukuyama

Getting to Denmark: On Francis Fukuyama Getting to Denmark: On Francis Fukuyama

The Origins of Political Order, a work of total world history, pits the old Fukuyama against the new.

Oct 5, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Thomas Meaney

The Truth About the Civil War

The Truth About the Civil War The Truth About the Civil War

Too many Americans have fallen prey to narratives that erase the role of slavery in the war’s origins and legacy.

Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Whispers of Jackie O

Whispers of Jackie O Whispers of Jackie O

The former first lady speaks from beyond the grave—and shows how far we’ve come (and haven’t).

Sep 21, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Katha Pollitt

Uncertainty and Anxiety: On Khrushchev’s Thaw

Uncertainty and Anxiety: On Khrushchev’s Thaw Uncertainty and Anxiety: On Khrushchev’s Thaw

Why did different segments of the Soviet population experience Khrushchev’s reforms in radically different ways?  

Sep 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Benjamin Nathans

Epitaph for Another September 11

Epitaph for Another September 11 Epitaph for Another September 11

Chile and the United States offer contrasting models of how to react to a collective trauma.

Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Ariel Dorfman

Double Vantage: On Jorge Castañeda

Double Vantage: On Jorge Castañeda Double Vantage: On Jorge Castañeda

In Mañana Forever? Jorge Castañeda chronicles the growth of the middle class to argue that Mexico is not a failed state.

Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Natasha Wimmer

Moral Portents: On Adam Goodheart Moral Portents: On Adam Goodheart

Capes, torches, secret meetings! Adam Goodheart’s 1861 tells the story of the unyielding idealism awakened by the Civil War.

Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Brenda Wineapple

Trains in Vain: On Richard White Trains in Vain: On Richard White

The building of the transcontinental railroads is not the story of a managerial revolution, argues Richard White, but of incompetence and corruption rewarded.

Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Robin Einhorn

In Our Orbit : On Stephen F. Cohen In Our Orbit : On Stephen F. Cohen

Stephen F. Cohen’s The Victims Return contemplates the return to Soviet society of several million zeks after Stalin’s death.

Aug 30, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Rachel Polonsky

Alan Lomax: A Life of Sound Alan Lomax: A Life of Sound

During the early twentieth century, Alan Lomax and his father John traveled throughout the American South searching for the work songs, spirituals and folk tales that gave the regi...

Aug 25, 2011 / Books & the Arts / The Nation and Francis Reynolds

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