Books & Literary Life
Literary criticism, author interviews, and book culture from within and beyond Harvard.
These Harvard Mountaineers Braved Denali’s Wall of Ice
John Graham’s Denali Diary documents a dangerous and historic climb.
Adam Kirsch reviews "The Art of the Sonnet," by Stephen Burt and David Mikics
Adam Kirsch reviews The Art of the Sonnet, by Stephen Burt and David Mikics
by Adam Kirsch
Excerpt: Martha Nussbaum's "Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities"
Why democracy needs the humanities
Alfred Alcorn's museum mystery books
Alfred Alcorn ’64 sets his Harvard-flavored murder mysteries in one of his favorite places: a museum. With audio from an interview with Alcorn.
Profile of literary agent Andrew Wylie
Andrew Wylie '70 runs a powerful literary agency that mixes hardball business and highbrow tastes. With audio from an interview with Wylie.
Updike papers at Houghton Library
Taking a look at the Houghton Library holdings
Harvard Headlines: Books by Melvin Konner, Steven Shapin, and Thomas Bisson
Three recent reviews of books by Harvard-affiliated scholars (two faculty members and one alumnus).
New Yorker writer John McPhee's listener, Gordon Gund '61
A Paris Review article describes how renowned author John McPhee reads his drafts to his friend Gordon Gund ’61.
Articles on the urban plantscape; a prestigious math award; Commencement humor
Our news roundup includes articles on landscape architecture professor Peter del Tredici and mathematics professor John Tate, and Commencement humor from The Onion.
Panic in the Year Zero: A Poem by D.A. Powell
A poem by D.A. Powell, from the 2010 Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises. [audio]
2010 Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises with Natalie Zemon Davis and D.A. Powell
Historian Natalie Zemon Davis speaks on "The Possibilities of Friendship." Also featuring poet D.A. Powell with a vivid new work. [video/audio]