the anniversary issue

The New Yorker is a frequent topic and I enjoy sharing noteworthy issues and articles. The newest edition, instantly recognizable as the Anniversary Issue from the reference to Eustace Tilley on the cover, is an example of the magazine at its finest.

Several excellent articles are available online. These include Seymour Hersh's A Strike in the Dark, which poses a number of a questions surrounding Israel's September attack against a mysterious target in Syria, and James Stewart's Wall Street’s unloved Midas, which profiles Blackstone Group founder (and billionaire) Stephen Schwarzman. In addition, there is an Alice Monro short story, “Free Radicals”.

However, the best content is only available in print. In ANNALS OF INVENTION Susan Orlean provides insight into the inventive mind of Steve Hollinger in "Thinking in the Rain: How to build a better umbrella." And, In LETTER FROM POLAND, David Grann delves into the mind of a killer in "True Crime: A postmodern murder mystery." Either is reason enough to venture to your local newstand.

Still left for me to read: John Updike on The novels of Flann O’Brien and Rebecca Mead on "Nico Muhly, Generation Y maestro."

Bonus links: Jeffrey Toobin: The high price of trying to save an infamous killer’s life and Evan Osnos: In the sport that Mao banned, China’s hopes rest on one man from the Feb 4 issue.

98 billion, not including flickr

Our old friend Shpigler is back with a little advice for Jerry Yang. Enjoy.

Si, Se Puede

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

I first saw this Saturday night, shortly after I finished reading a New Yorker profile on Newark's mayor Cory Booker. The original speech is brilliant in its simple message, and its remix, by will.i.am and Jesse Dylan adds power and emotion. If have seen it yet, watch. If you have, perhaps you should watch again.

Bonus link: a NYT profile of the campaign's head speechwriter
Bonus link 2: the New Hampshire victory speech on which the above is based