Category Archives: Articles of Note

The philosopher and the terrorist. In 1974, Sartre met Andreas Baader. They arrived as comrades and departed as something else… more»

The trouble with Ai Weiwei. His art is inane and moronic, no more than political kitsch. And yet the man’s courage is undeniably admirable… more»

Wagner or Verdi, fatalistic Teuton or lyrical Latin? The answer depends on whether you believe that music should, foremost, be intelligent or pleasing…more»

Power of suggestion: The influence of unconscious cues on human behavior is among the most fascinating discoveries of our time – if it’s true… more»

In academe, job-reference inflation runs rampant. “Pound for pound she is the best philosopher in the department.” What can that mean?… more»

Soviet geologists came upon a family of six in remote Siberia. They had lived off the land, undetected, for 42 years. Then civilization had its way with them… more»

Concerto for Orchestra: Elliot Carter’s masterpiece was heard first by a hostile audience, with the conductor serving as traffic cop… more»

After 50 years, NYRB’s editor finds that its critical perspective is due to be brought to bear on the “huge universe of prose” online… more»

We may pay little attention to how we walk. Our gait, however, may eventually identify us as surely as a fingerprint…more»

Women in combat: The first defenders of Stalingrad in 1942 were teenage girls, firing antiaircraft guns to halt German tanks… more»