A REPORTER AT LARGE
Ruffled Feathers
by John Seabrook
The secret deceptions of a bird-world hero.
Q. Richard Meinertzhagen is a person similar in character to another subject we read about, Leigh Fermor. What do you think was his motivation for deceiving the community of his fame? Is deception pathological for intelligence officers? Can they help it?
THE CURRENT CINEMA
HEAVEN CAN WAIT
by Anthony Lane
"The Da Vinci Code."
http://www.newyorker.com
Q. Do you think a viewer will enjoy DVC more if they have or haven't read the book? It's a common observation that great books make poor movies and the converse. Why is this?
BOOKS
Big Bird
by Thomas Mallon
A biography of Harper Lee.
http://www.newyorker.com
Q. Why do you think Harper Lee never wrote a second novel? Blocked? Too ambitious? It really was stolen? Do you think her relationship with Capote and his success intimidated her?
BOOKS
GAME THEORY
What experts don't see in athletes.
by Malcolm Gladwell
When it comes to athletic prowess, don't believe your eyes.
http://www.newyorker.com
Umm, I apologize. This selection is a mistake.
Q. Why is this the most boring article Malcolm Gladwell has ever written? Ok, real question... Are professional sports about athletic prowess or entertainment?
Cartoons:
http://www.cartoonbank.com
The issue of 2006-05-22, published 2006-05-15
PROFILES
What the Dog Saw
Cesar Millan and the enigma of presence.
by Malcolm Gladwell
also: http://www.newyorker.com
Q. Presence. Is it authenticity? Is it voice or movement or personality? Body language? Are dogs the ultimate movement analyst?
LIFE AND LETTERS
An Englishman Abroad
Patrick Leigh Fermor, gentleman hero.
by Anthony Lane
Q. Leigh Fermor has dash. What is dash? Who if anyone has dash today? Does our culture of "celebritology" sabotage the quality in anyone with an innate sense of dash?
Cartoons:
http://www.cartoonbank.com
