New In Paperback: June 27-July 3

Memory Wall: Stories by Anthony Doerr If we’re lucky, our mind occupies a lot of places at once: our present-day reality, our painfully or happily remembered past, and our hopeful future. Throughout the day, we’re sent from one point in time to the other, so fast that we may occupy all at once. In Anthony [...]

Going, Going, And Gone?: No, The Oxford Comma Is Safe … For Now

I have a confession. I am only too happy to emphatically defend split infinitives against the accusation that they are offensive in any language except Latin. I believe perfectly marvelous sentences can end with prepositions or begin with “and.” I make up words, I write in fragments, I am absolutely not a flawless user of [...]

Journalist On Surviving In Iran: Don’t Name Names

Before the Arab Spring swept across the Middle East and North Africa, there was the Green Movement in Iran. In June 2009, hundreds of thousands of Iranians protested against what they considered a rigged election that kept President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power. Shortly afterward, the Iranian government carried out a violent crackdown against opposition leaders, [...]

Syria Permits Vigil For Slain Civilians, Soldiers

The Syrian government gave another political concession, even as security personell continued roundups in rebellious suburbs of the capital, Damascus. In the center of the city, a candlelight vigil, the first of its kind, had official permission. Pro-government rallies take place daily, but this was a somber event, to honor Syrians who have died in [...]

‘New Hero’ Of Classical Guitar Shares His Passion

Classical guitar is getting renewed interest thanks to Milos Karadaglich and his debut album “Mediterraneo.” A newcomer at age 28, he knew early on that he had a good ear for music. He was eight years old when his father brought him to the music school in his home country of Montenegro and told to [...]

What Does A ‘Post American World’ Look Like?

Thirty years ago, the United States dominated the world politically, economically and scientifically. But today? “The tallest building in the world is now in Dubai, the biggest factory in the world is in China, the largest oil refinery is in India, the largest investment fund in the world is in Abu Dhabi, the largest Ferris [...]

Gates Awarded Medal Of Freedom At Farewell Tribute

President Obama surprised outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates with the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the highest civilian honor the president can bestow — at a ceremony Thursday marking the Pentagon chief’s last day on the job. “I can think of no better way to express the gratitude of the nation to Bob Gates than [...]

The Child Cases: Lessons From Canada

Medical and legal experts often disagree on how to determine the cause of a child’s unexpected death. One result is that parents sometimes are wrongly accused of murder and sent to prison. No place has uncovered a bigger problem — or dealt with it more directly — than Ontario, Canada. That change can be seen [...]

Europeans Back Broader Use Of Avastin For Breast Cancer

The day after a panel of experts advised the Food and Drug Administration to go ahead with plans to revoke approval of Avastin to treat breast cancer, European authorities moved in the opposite direction. The European Commission gave the OK to an expansion of Avastin’s approval to include using the drug in combination with Xeloda, [...]

Hooray For YA: Teen Novels For Readers Of All Ages

A good novel doesn’t just transcend the boundaries of its target market — it knows nothing about target markets. Young readers have always reached above their reading level to get to meatier stories, and lately we’ve seen adult readers reaching into the world of teen fiction in search of the same thing — no-holds-barred storytelling. [...]