Tinkers
The debut novel from Iowa Writer’s Workshop graduate Paul Harding centers on a dying man’s reveries and hallucinations—a recurring literary trope—offering “a sense of primal encounter with the brilliant, elusive world of the senses.”
Archive
A collection of 14234 issues
10 December 2008: Afternoon
When even Tutu says military intervention may be necessary, Africa leaders look to oust Mugabe. GM has more workers outside the U.S. than in it, and its revenue is up overseas. The E.U. may outrank Russia by every objective measure, but its size means it's outflanked
10 December 2008: Morning
Pakistan's PM on the painful reality of shared experience, how the West equipped fanatics, the coordination required to progress. Riots continue in Greece over failed economy, education; the "lost generation" got sick of scandals, conservatism. From February: Blagojevich "believes so fervently he's in
Bangkok Anew
Bangkok’s image as a city for sex, knife fights, and cobras is burnished to a shine. A trip home finds some of that, but mostly it’s ghosts—real ones—and they’re not quiet.
9 December 2008: Afternoon
Illinois governor arrested for conspiring to auction off Obama's vacated Senate seat. Schwarzenegger uses "scared straight" tactics on stalemated legislators, paints a bleak picture of California's future if they can't agree on a plan. Organizers of "Day Without a Gay"
Starship Troopers Revisited
The first installment predicted the War on Terror, the second has never been seen. Now the third “Starship Troopers” movie tackles the cultural theory behind an “infinite war.” Take note.
9 December 2008: Morning
Praying for a miracle in Detroit, with an SUV at the altar. In Detroit, Islam is a strong force in city affairs, continuing to prove politics is always local. Arabic domestic culture has ensured there is no sub-prime; an oil filled cushion will provide comfort through tough times. A
Our 2008 Holiday Letter
No matter how factual the accomplishments gained or the tragedies sustained, holiday letters, like the season itself, are often sugarcoated. But not this time.
Books About Books
Two new books about books alternately cover anonymous authorship and the history of the destruction of books. Whether or not they are “meta” is open for debate.
8 December 2008: Afternoon
"Never run anywhere if you can walk there." Like North Korea with camels: In Turkmenistan, a dead dictator continues to leave an impression. Why Obama should resurrect F.D.R.'s Federal Writer's Project--and bail out some laid-off journalists. Uncovered archival footage of