Like many people, I have a morbid fascination with Donald Trump and I watch his bizarre machinations like a gawker at a highway wreck. Wolff’s book promised an inside scoop and was widely reviewed in the media so I gave … Continue reading
When I learned that world-famous linguist and political commentator Noam Chomsky would teach a class at the University of Arizona, I signed up. A lot of people from the northeast come to Tucson for the winter, but most of them … Continue reading
I like Chris Hayes. I like his news/talk show on MSNBC, “All In.” I’ve enjoyed him since he started out in a 5 am TV time slot. He’s the smartest pundit on TV. Lately though, I’ve been unable to watch … Continue reading
The Orphan Master’s Son is a grim book with a high gross-out factor, so if you don’t tolerate torture and gore well, it wouldn’t be for you. But if you enjoy the creativity of trying to depict sheer horror, it’s … Continue reading
I watched Hillary Clinton closely as she gave her acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention on Thursday night. I was hoping for something spectacular. I hoped in vain. It was spectacular enough for a major party to have a woman … Continue reading
Since the Brexit vote, in which Britain decided to leave the EU, many hands have been wrung. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem like much communication has occurred. The losing “Remainers” genuinely don’t seem to get the message. They view the Brexit … Continue reading
The Next Russian Revolution I read this book in preparation for a class I will take in August at the University of Arizona. Reading a course’s books before the lectures gives valuable context. I also hoped the book would answer questions … Continue reading
This morning I searched the news in vain for cogent political analysis. I find only reports of what happened. Donald Trump won Indiana and is indeed the presumptive Republican nominee now. Cruz is out, and Kasich too, according to early … Continue reading
News media are abuzz with stories of how the establishment Republican party is desperate to stop Trump from getting the presidential nomination. Why? Because he’s supposed to be a flawed character, vulgar and duplicitous, intellectually vapid, and ill-suited for the … Continue reading
Between the World and Me is a brief autobiography, from the author’s early childhood to present-day adulthood, although it is marketed as a series of letters to his fifteen-year-old son about race in America. That’s a brilliant device, for it … Continue reading