Articles of Note

The self-invention of Herman Melville. In Polynesia, as in the settings of his early books, he made it up as he went along... more »

New Books

Have you heard the story of the Duchess of Argyll's sex scandal? Gore Vidal's salacious, sardonic tales were well rehearsed... more »

Essays & Opinions

Frustration and desperation are the lot of most writers. Even the lucky ones endure lean years. But few things are so compromising as success... more »