Claudia Rankine comes off like a disgruntled but interesting guest at a dinner party who keeps turning the conversation back to subjects that make others uncomfortable but are well worth talking about and seriously examining.
Ed Meek
Book Review: “How to Be an Antiracist” — A Helpful Step in Overcoming America’s Racial Divide
A more accurate title for Ibram X Kendi’s engaging and compelling book might be:” How I learned to think like an antiracist and how you can too.”
Book Review: “Hiding in Plain Sight” — Detailing the Malignancy of Donald Trump
According to Sarah Kendzior, “we have a transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government.”
Book Review: “The Stakes” — For America, Higher Than You Think
For America to get back on track, “It will take inspired radical leadership, mass organizing, and citizen mobilization of the kind that we see only in America’s finest hours.”
Book Review: Common Sense About Climate Change — The Need to Hit the Streets
In this valuable call-to-action, Roger Hallam says we have to recognize that climate change is an emergency and rebel against our extinction.
Poetry Review: “If Men, Then” — Verse on Present Day Firing Lines
Because Eliza Griswold’s poems often take place in war zones, she’s always provocative — even when she is tendentious.
Book Review: “On Fire” — An Optimistic Take on Climate Change
In this book, Naomi Klein shines a light on the path to a politically and economically just model of sustainability.
Poetry Review: “One Lark, One Horse” — Michael Hofmann’s Comic Skepticism
Michael Hofmann nicely captures our age of truthiness and alternate facts and multiple perspectives, the hollowness of everything from the news-cycle to pop-up restaurants, all of the distractions driven by money and advertising.
Poetry Review: “Come Closer and Listen” — Is Brusque and Amusing Enough?
In his new book, poet Charles Simic employs his customary strategies, but he seldom achieves the intensity he once did.
Poetry Review: “Frozen Charlotte” — Plenty of Pleasure
In Frozen Charlotte, Susan de Sola provides readers with enough aesthetic pleasure and thoughtful commentary about today’s world to remind us of just how good — and necessary — poetry can be.