Books
387 results
Page 31
S. Clay Wilson's ABC
A left turn in Lawrence
The work of underground artist S. Clay Wilson has been compared to Breughel’s and has hung in museums beside Bosch. An alphabet series connected with his illustrations of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm has just been published.
John Lahr's biography of Tennessee Williams
Rethinking the life and work of Tennessee Williams
After enduring youthful austerity, Tennessee Williams sought relief from his suffering through chaotic sexual liaisons and cravings for admiration, alcohol, and drugs. Yet, at his best, he was able to use his inner conflicts to create dramatic works that transformed the American theater and cinema. The characters in his plays, as John Lahr takes pains to show, were mirrors of what was going on inside him.
Articles
6 minute read
'Is That All There Is? The Strange Life of Peggy Lee' by James Gavin
A showbiz legend and a piece of work
Painstakingly researched and beautifully written, Is That All There Is? is at times touching, sad, disturbing, and hilarious. Just like Peggy Lee.
Articles
3 minute read
Two in-laws confront Hitler
Ordinary people, extraordinary responses (and vice versa)
When your moment of truth comes, how will you respond? Two books published this year portray diametrically opposite responses to the greatest crisis of the 20th century.
Articles
6 minute read
James Ellroy's 'Perfidia'
James Ellroy in Nighttown
Perfidia is a twisted labyrinth of plot and counterplot, casual racism, murder most bloody and foul, and hypnotic prose, with real-life big names passing through or nudging the story along.
Articles
4 minute read
Lev Grossman's 'Magician's Land'
Finding the magic in adult life
Grossman is successful in providing a contemporary alternative to the fantasy paradigm, engaging the reader’s material reality with his multiple layers of fantasy more effectively than the single-layer fantasy novels of Rowling, Lewis, or Tolkien before him.
Articles
4 minute read
Laurence Bergreen's 'Columbus: The Four Voyages'
A critical look at a mythic figure
Christopher Columbus isn’t revered as he once was. Laurence Bergreen presents a critical assessment of a man who is fascinating despite his great flaws.
Articles
5 minute read
'The Nixon Defense' by John Dean
Barbarians at the Watergate: John Dean and the new Nixon tapes
John Dean is back with a fresh look at the quintessential political scandal.
Articles
4 minute read
Ten great books about World War I
The war to end all wars
There have been more books about World War I than any other world conflict — and some mighty fine books, too. Here is my list of ten favorites that should whet your appetite.
Articles
5 minute read
Chuck Palahniuk's planned 'Fight Club' sequel
I know this because Tyler knows this: ‘Fight Club’ doesn’t need a sequel
Fight Club allegorized Generation X’s bone-deep dissatisfaction with ourselves. We never thought we’d buy into the Ikea lifestyle, but we have, hook, line, and sinker.
Articles
5 minute read