The Pitching Life: The Art of the Movie Deal, Circa 2013 by David Thomson
Photo by Didier Pouzol
“We win when we engage those who disagree or are still working it through. Indeed, the only way to win our freedom to marry is by exercising our freedom of speech, sharing our stories and the truth that does indeed set us free—and then translating that persuasion into legal and political change. There is no marriage without engagement, and gay people and the majority of non-gay people who, like Kinsley, support our freedom to marry need not be afraid of speech—the more the better.” — Gay Marriage Hasn’t Won Yet by Evan Wolfson
The Blowtorch: How Michelle Rhee Misled Education Reform by Nicholas Lemann
Illustration by Randy Ortiz
“Almost as interesting as the depictions of the Clintons’ embryonic dysfunction is the succession of political notables who traipse through the 117-page draft of Kim’s screenplay obtained by The New Republic. The movie may apply significant creative embroidery to history, but the cast of minor characters offers plenty to geek out over.” — The Hillary Clinton Movie: The Winners and Losers by Michael Schaffer
The Grumpy Grammarian: Freedom From, Freedom To by John McWhorter
“The Little Debbie line of snack cakes, produced by the family-owned McKee Foods Corporation, has been around since 1960. The brand’s packaging has always been adorned by a portrait of its namesake, Debbie McKee, the granddaughter of company co-founder O.D. McKee. Debbie’s look has changed a bit over the years, but not by much. And her latest redesign, unveiled earlier this month, is so subtle that most people might not even notice.” — Little Debbie Gets a (Very Minor) Fashion Update by Paul Lukas
The Twilight of the Sahibs: The Origins of Paul Scott’s Vast Masterpiece by Peter Green
Illustration by Noa Snir
“Austerians don’t get off on other people’s suffering. They, for the most part, honestly believe that theirs is the quickest way through the suffering. They may be right or they may be wrong. When Krugman says he’s only worried about ‘premature’ fiscal discipline, it becomes largely a question of emphasis anyway. But the austerians deserve credit: They at least are talking about the spinach, while the Krugmanites are only talking about dessert.” — Paul Krugman’s Misguided Moral Crusade Against Austerity by Michael Kinsley
Bill Kristol’s Galactic Empire by Molly Redden
“The final few episodes have proceeded in the same nostalgic spirit, prompting us to remember The Office’s better days and ignore its clunkier, more mediocre present. They are an affectionate ode to the mockumentary format at its best, but also, perhaps, an acknowledgement that the genre has reached its expiration date.” — ‘The Office’ Is Ending, and Maybe the Mockumentary Sitcom Should Go With It by Esther Breger