Short Takes

A Weapon of War: Famine from Wartime North Africa to Ukraine Today
Aomar Boum and Sarah Abrevaya Stein share lessons from wartime North Africa, the subject of their new documentary history.
Aomar Boum, Sarah Abrevaya SteinJul 27, 2022
“Unfortunate Students of War”: Arming Refugee Children with Art
Sarah Kornfeld profiles Nicoleta Zagura, founder of the Bucharest-based project “Art 4 Ukraine.”
Sarah KornfeldJul 24, 2022
The Ground on Which We Stand: Hannah Arendt on Powerless, Necessary Truth
Roger Berkowitz draws vital lessons from Hannah Arendt’s “Truth and Politics.”
Roger BerkowitzJul 20, 2022
Another Look at India’s Books: Reshma Aquil’s “The Unblending”
In this column, Saikat Majumdar discusses books from India that haven’t received due attention.
Saikat MajumdarJul 17, 2022
The Poetry of Revolt: On Christopher Soto’s “Diaries of a Terrorist”
féi hernandez communes with “Diaries of a Terrorist,” a debut poetry collection by Christopher Soto.
féi hernandezJul 13, 2022
The Democratic Potential of Citizens’ Assemblies
Christine LandfriedJul 7, 2022
“The Flavor Blooms in Warmth”: On Judith Baumel’s “Thorny”
Rachel Hadas appreciates the urgent concoctions of “Thorny,” a collection of poems by Judith Baumel.
Rachel HadasJul 6, 2022
“Carry Her, Round as the Globe”: Three Poems of War in Ukraine
Ukrainian-American poet Vasyl Makhno offers three poems on the war in Ukraine, translated by Olena Jennings, Luba Gawur, and Jaroslaw Anders.
Vasyl MakhnoJun 30, 2022
“You Passed Through Here Like a Miracle”: On Maya Abu Al-Hayyat’s “You Can Be the Last Leaf”
Lena Khalaf Tuffaha celebrates the appearance of “You Can Be the Last Leaf,” a collection by Palestinian poet Maya Abu Al-Hayyat, translated by Fady Joudah.
Lena Khalaf TuffahaJun 29, 2022
“They Are Bombing the City. I Am Editing Poems”: Conversations with Ukrainian Writers
Ilya Kaminsky and Katie Farris reach out to Ukrainian authors at a time of war.
Ilya Kaminsky, Katie FarrisJun 28, 2022
Segregation, Poverty and Policing: A Shared History
Walter KatzJun 19, 2022
Reckless Reader: El Taller Bookstore and Café in Lawrence, Massachusetts
Natasha Vhugen introduces the newest member of LARB's Reckless Reader program, El Taller Bookstore and Café in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Natasha VhugenJun 18, 2022
“An Awful Order”: On Danielle Blau’s “p e e p”
Rachel Hadas hearkens to “p e e p,” an Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize-winning collection by Danielle Blau.
Rachel HadasMay 26, 2022
The Transparent World
Magdalena KrönerMay 17, 2022
Leo Tolstoy Square, Street, and Metro Station
Myroslav LaiukMay 14, 2022
Another Look at India’s Books: Juliette Banerjee’s “The Gap-Toothed Banister: A Tale of Anglo-India”
In this column, Saikat Majumdar discusses books from India that haven’t received due attention.
Saikat MajumdarMay 12, 2022