Penguin has come out with another series of old books made new. The "Great Travels" series includes classic works by authors including Anton Chekov, Olaudah Equiano, Mark Twain, and Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. There's a nice display near our section of travel writing.Just as nice are the covers. They're pretty little matte designs in jewel … Continue reading Happy Trails

As a former CIA employee, Valerie Plame Wilson was required to submit her book Fair Game to the agency for review before publication. They wanted to remove as much as 35% of the material, according to the publisher, but settled on withholding approval of a mere 15%. Simon and Schuster decided to make these excisions … Continue reading 85% There

Like every right-thinking American, I love Stephen Colbert, author of the indispensable guide I Am America (And So Can You!). But I like him even more after having heard him gush on NPR's Fresh Air about his schoolboy giddiness when Tony Bennett came on his show. Does Colbert have the nerves (and the chops) to … Continue reading But Seriously