Book Reviews

Two new books argue that the attention economy is unsustainable—for people, and for the planet.

Sam Stein's Capital City offers a blistering and persuasive critique of how real estate dominates city planning—to the detriment of most residents.

Step aside, Florida Man—new books from Karen Russell, Colson Whitehead, and Kristen Arnett have stories to tell about the state that go beyond stereotypes.

Roy's essays about the environmental and human costs of late-capitalist development read as dispatches from a recent past that will also be our future.

Arnade demonstrates the virtues of a journalism based on empathy. But he also shows that empathy alone is insufficient without a sharper historical and political analysis.

In her debut novel, Ramos depicts a circle of women optimized to serve as surrogates for the super-rich.

Natasha Lennard's new book of essays offers tools for fighting fascism at home and in the street.

A new anthology urges us to look at the Earth with renewed wonder—and then to take action in its defense.

Nathaniel Rich recounts America's failure to act on global warming in the 1980s; Bill McKibben offers dire prophecies about climate—and artificial intelligence.

In his new book, Ken Woodley recounts how Prince Edward County, Virginia, finally began to make amends.

In his latest book, French historian Dominique Kalifa investigates how mainstream representations of poverty have been used for centuries to harm the poor.

Lucasta Miller's new biography of the poet celebrates her literary triumphs while casting a skeptical eye on the society that rejected her.

Two new books argue for the virtues of pleasure—as an end in itself, but also as a political tool.

In her most recent book, Merve Emre examines our obsession with ourselves.

In his new book, David Wallace-Wells lays out the grim scenarios that await humans under climate change—but also his reasons for hope.