

Literature and Poetry
Book Review, The Swerve: How the World Became Modern and Chef Supreme
Swerve illuminates the fascinating nooks of antiquity, as well as the Renaissance, for the neophyte. This is the sort of book that, during these winter months, will bring the pleasure endorsed by Epicurus and Lucretius. Chef Supreme: Martin Ginsburg creates a paean to good food and its ability to create community; the recipes and tributes are rich, as was his life. more »
Rosemary, Arthur and Ben: On the Road to Mecca (Followed by Doug)*
Could he please help me read Ben Brantley's review of Rosemary Harris in Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca at the American Airlines Theater. Tried as he could, Julio couldn't get The Times to accept my bank card. He said, "There, there, call your bank because they can surely fix this for you." (And then, and then, Nancy's friend, Doug, penned a poem about his friend) more »
Happy 150th Birthday Edith Wharton!
Break out a glass of champagne, don an antique jet-beaded jacket and celebrate Wharton's 150th birth anniversary. Read a book of Wharton's, watch the Age of Innocence or The Buccaneers and visit her home, the Mount. more »
Culture Watch Reviews: P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley; Trollope's Nina Balatka
P.D. James has written not just a sequel to the action of Pride and Prejudice: she has somehow absorbed Jane Austen’s style whole. It is elegant proof that Baroness James deserves every ounce of her extraordinary literary reputation. Nina Balatka by Trollope is a welcome change of pace for most of us who aren’t ashamed to enjoy a romance, or in need of some entertaining preaching, even if it is to the choir more »