A professional skeptic, he took on hundreds of mysteries, offering rational explanations for the Loch Ness monster, the Shroud of Turin and countless hauntings.
Category: Books and Literature
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Francis Davis, Sharp-Eared Jazz Critic and Husband of Terry Gross, Dies at 78
He wrote prolifically about various aspects of the arts and popular culture. But he kept his focus on jazz, celebrating its past while worrying about its future.
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Overlooked No More: Ethel Lina White, Master of Suspense Who Inspired Hitchcock
A powerhouse of the genre, she published around 100 short stories and 17 novels, one of which was adapted into the acclaimed film “The Lady Vanishes.”
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Tim Mohr, DJ and German Translator Who Ghostwrote Paul Stanley’s Memoir, Dies at 55
An American who had lived abroad, he sought out books by up-and-coming German writers, while ghostwriting memoirs for rock stars like Paul Stanley.
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A New Book About Baking Bread Is Only Sort of About Bread
“Existential Bread,” a book by the poet and amateur baker Jim Franks, is only sort of about bread.
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‘Modern Love’ Podcast: Let Yourself Rage With Poet Laureate Ada Limón
Limón has been on a mission to help Americans experience the full range of human emotion.
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‘Modern Love’ Podcast: Let Yourself Rage With Ada Limón
Limón has been on a mission to help Americans experience the full range of human emotion.
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Robert W. McChesney, Who Warned of Corporate Media Control, Dies at 72
In over a dozen books, he explored the failures of journalism and the internet, blaming capitalism and calling for the nationalization of Facebook and Google.
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Is Yoko Ono Finally Getting Her Moment?
A new biography and film about Yoko Ono offer more opportunities to assess her contributions to culture. Two pop music critics debate if they’re worthy of their subject.
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John Peck, Underground Cartoonist Known as The Mad Peck, Dies at 82
Among many other accomplishments, he illustrated a scholarly work on the history of comic books and wrote record reviews in four-panel comic-strip form.
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Jesse Kornbluth, Magazine Writer Who Covered Everything, Dies at 79
He reported on the highs and lows of culture in the pages of Vanity Fair and elsewhere. He also wrote seven books of nonfiction and two novels.
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Sam Keen, Philosopher of the Men’s Movement, Is Dead at 93
“Only men,” he wrote, “understand the secret fears that go with the territory of masculinity.” His message resonated: His book “Fire in the Belly” was a best seller.