The Break-Up
Elections once conferred a larger knowledge that made us feel more connected to what’s important. But this cycle’s meaningless content overload has delivered little more a desire to unplug.
John Warner
Reading Is in the Air
From 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET today, tell the Biblioracle the last five books you've read, and he'll recommend your next favorite novel.
Where've You Been, Biblioracle?
From 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET today, tell the Biblioracle the last five books you've read, and he'll recommend your next favorite novel.
This Is Not a George Plimpton Interview
Every artist deals with critics differently—Richard Ford spitting on Colson Whitehead, for example. But the rule is to avoid direct contact. Not for John Warner, debut novelist, who decided to seek out the man behind his worst review.
America, You Are the Biblioracle
Today, from 2-3:00 p.m., the Biblioracle will use his magical powers to recommend the next book you'll love. Prior to that, a call-to-arms to save the plight of reading and an announcement about the 2012 Tournament of Books reader-judge contest.
The Funny Man
When asked, focus groups describe the funny man as "untalented, successful, bad husband and father." He had been at the top, but is now heading toward the bottom. An excerpt from John Warner's forthcoming novel, The Funny Man, published by Soho Press.
Back to School With the Biblioracle
Class is back in session at campuses across the nation. But for the rest of us who yearn for an assigned reading list, the Biblioracle will recommend your next favorite novel today from 2-3:00 p.m. ET.
Summer Reading With the Biblioracle
Summer is reading's high season. But all good books must come to an end, and then what do you do? Have no fear—the Biblioracle is here. Discover your next favorite novel today, from 2-3:00 p.m. ET.
The Man Behind the Window
Allan Seager was a student at Oxford when he contracted tuberculosis. What happened next made him one of America's greatest writers—declared the heir to Anderson and Hemingway—ever to be forgotten. Yet one of Seager's short stories endures in ways that none of Hemingway's can match.
The Biblioracle Strikes Again
While the Tournament of Books hangs on a thread until Monday, the Biblioracle steps in to ease the pain. At 3 p.m. Eastern, list the last five books you read, and he'll tell you what to read next.
A Message From Your University President
Americans prefer "doing" to "knowing." When will our universities wake up to reality? English majors everywhere: More budget cuts are coming, but prepare to smell great.
Oh, How I've Missed You
The Biblioracle will be open today from 1 to 3 p.m. Back from a late-summer hiatus, the Biblioracle takes the last five books you read and tells you what to read next.
Why Do You Do It the Way You Do It?
The Biblioracle will be open today from 1 to 3 p.m. After explaining the secret behind oracling, the Biblioracle takes the last five books you read and tells you what to read next.
The Return of the Biblioracle
The Biblioracle will be open today from noon to 2 p.m. Still recovering from an outpouring of requests during his last appearance, the Biblioracle will take the last five books you read and tell you what to read next.
Greetings From the Biblioracle
Today we welcome back the Biblioracle, who takes the last five books you read and recommends what to read next.
A Conversation With Philip Graham
As lightbulbs are to the moon, first stories are to finished books. John Warmer chats with the writer Philip Graham, his former professor, about finding topics, developing mentors, and reaching readers.
Bringing Home the Bacon
In order to survive in today's world, you need to make a lot of dough--but a family cannot live by bread alone.
Nov 4-3
First polls close in less than 20 minutes and I've started drinking. I blame the Obama campaign because they sent me this: http://my.barackobama.com/call http://my.barackobama.com/call My.BarackObama.com/Call "Very close in many states." I notice they don'
Nov 4-2
I voted. No epic lines at our polling place, but steady business, all eight (touch-screen) machines occupied with a line of 10-12 at the check-in table. From a purely demographic analysis, my wife and I were the only Obama voters in attendance, but still it felt good. On our local
Nov 4
I'm not even sure it's a matter of probability at this point, since your poker analogy relies on random chance and there doesn't seem to be that much chance left in the equation, particularly considering almost a third of people have already voted and
Nov 2
As we arrive on the cusp of election day, I find myself with less and less to discuss. There's nothing left but the doing, which makes me begin to wonder about what's next after the doing is done. Monitoring the fortunes of Barack Obama has simply
Oct 30
The penultimate paragraph of your last missive reminded me of something I've been wanting to talk about ever since I read this post by the dean of liberal blogdom, Markos Moulitsas, titled "Crush their their spirits." He said: [W]e have an imperative to take advantage
Oct 28
I don't remember what I used my cut of the My First Presidentiary payment on, but I do know it wasn't my summer home on Cape Cod because I don't have one of those. That said, the Bush administration has indeed been the comedy
Oct 24
I have a quiz for you. Who said the following? [O]ur entire agricultural system is built on cheap oil. As a consequence, our agriculture sector actually is contributing more greenhouse gases than our transportation sector. And in the mean time, it's creating monocultures that are vulnerable to
Oct 22
Speaking of irony, did you know that Johnny Ramone was a republican? Also, while still speaking of irony, did you know that people who love the "real America" spend better than 150K in a month at places like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus, all on the taxpayers&
Oct 19
Two big pieces of news over the weekend, Obama's $150 million fundraising haul for September and Colin Powell's endorsement. Naturally, those of us worried about Obama's ultimate fortunes can figure out how to read this as bad news, but there's worse problems
Oct 16
Wow, the last 24 hours have been quite the whirlwind for Joe the Plumber. Turns out his name isn't Joe, he's not a plumber, he's a registered republican, (though republican challenges to Ohio voter rolls may make him ineligible to pull the lever) and
Oct 15
Your link discussing your former high school econ teacher, Mr. Head, buried the lead that you are a seasoned politician yourself. Someday, between now and our temporary epistolary blog's expiration date, you must share your story of winning the student body presidency. As it happens, I too was
Oct 8
God Bless technology! Number of times that Sarah Palin used the word "maverick" in her debate with Joe Biden: 15. Number of times John McCain used the word in last night's debate: 0. Person we can most likely thank for putting the word to rest: Tina
Oct 5
If we're going to play the guilt by association game, let's not forget that Palin has birthed five children from the seeds of a secessionist. A few more kids and we're looking at a full-blown militia. The benefit of having a vice presidential candidate
Oct 2
In the immortal words of Alec Baldwin's character in the David Mamet movie, State and Main, "Well, that happened." Baldwin was describing a spectacular car crash which his character, a Hollywood star with a taste for young girls, managed to walk away from, which is a
Oct 2
As an addendum to your cogent and well-reasoned response to Michael questioning our support of the bailout, I'd just like to add that we're currently experiencing the negative corollary to Ronald Reagan's trickle-down economics, namely, shit rolls downhill. And not only does it roll
Volley 2
Prior to the last week I began working on a speech for Barack Obama: Fortunately for Obama, he's a cooler customer than me because the McCain Daily Freakout Express coupled with the Palin Gibberish Train have managed to drag McCain's candidacy lower than Michael Moore'
I Write Camille Paglia's Next Column so She Doesn’t Have To, Vol. 1: The UFC
For those who still don't grasp the subtext, reifications of Anna Nicole, Ultimate Fighting, and Eddie Murphy.
Gender-Bending Grade-Schooler Attracts Notice
One local boy's locks sends shockwaves throughout his community, and a clear message to the world of fashion: The younger generation plays by a new set of rules.
John Warner's Datsun B210 Is Underpowered, Ugly
Power, speed, performance: You won't find them here. Our reviewer is forced to put this once-sporty 1978 model through its paces. Part of a series of reports on the life of our writer.
Boy's Pain Is Orthodontist's Pleasure
The X-rays and photos show beyond any doubt that one orthodontist's recently found treasure spells financial tragedy for a local family.
Breaking Bad Habits & Busting Balls
Another set of excerpts from a book whose author cannot be named for reasons apparent to anyone who has seen a Scorsese movie. This week: life lessons for children and meeting the don of the teacher's lounge.
How I Became a Teacher
Ron Clark may have cornered the market on strategies for classroom control, but it takes a different brand of strong-arming to really get results. The first installment of excerpts from a book whose author cannot be named for obvious reasons.
Domestic Surveillance: Invasion of Privacy, or Necessary Evil?
The debate over privacy rages on: Can authorities be trusted, and are civil liberties at risk? Either way, in at least one Illinois household snooping may be the new law of the land.
Spinning Into an Early Grave?
The higher you go, the further you have to fall. Kids at Greenbrook Elementary find a dangerous new way to kill time, while a concerned community worries that might not be all that's in jeopardy.
Time to Floss
He told everyone what it stood for before, but this week nobody's buying a single detail about James Frey's life--or his tattoo. The true story behind contemporary literature's most in-your-face symbol.
Sex Education Gets a Makeover
In our ongoing coverage of the moments that defined our writer's life, kids are talking about sex--and what they're saying may shock you.
Sour Eggnog: Allegations of Child Abuse
Local authorities scramble to investigate allegations of abuse on Christmas morning.
I, a Discerning Food Critic, Have Discovered a Genius
A culinary legend is immortalized in the hearts of critics and parents alike.
On the Occasion of My Retirement From Baseball
Today a short but glorious career on the base-paths drew to a close. And with it, the future of instructional league baseball appears hazy.
McClellan at Home
Battered and bullied in the press room, morning, noon, and night. What's a normal, average press secretary to do when he just wants to spend some quality time with his wife? As it turns out, things aren't much better there.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Toyota Prius
Tired of that gas-guzzler you've got parked in the driveway? Perhaps it's time you drank the antifreeze and experienced the future of the universe, and your reality too.
Questions Frequently Asked About TiVo, Answered by Someone Who Loves TiVo Too Much
What's that? You still don't have a TiVo? Ahh, you must have some questions about the technology before you take the plunge.
Transcripts of OnStar Service Conversations Not Selected for Commercials
You’ve heard the spots, where the helpful voice of the OnStar satellite representative rushes to the aid of the panicked motorist. But have you heard them all? JOHN WARNER digs through the transcripts that didn’t make the final cut.
Donald Rumsfeld Is Wrong
Predicting the future is a touchy business, especially if you’re banking on the outcome. Our writer reports on a personal history of predictions gone right, wrong, and somewhere in between.
I Was a 10-Year-Old Political Consultant
Leading a political campaign can be a thankless job, as ex-Dean-campaign manager Joe Trippi well knows. But what if your candidate isn’t a Democrat from Vermont, but a woodland creature? Our writer recalls his electioneering days.
Progress Reports: Fourth Quarter 2003
The Institute of Improbable Research has the means to make the impossible happen. From losing a loser’s viriginity to building the best coach in the world, JOHN WARNER has their year-end results.
Raises & Terror
Experts answer what they know. The Non-Expert answers anything. This week we explain how to get the raise you deserve using the only appropriate method for today's terror-ific world.
Clueless in Academe: An Interview with Gerald Graff
Professors complain that each year’s batch of students are more clueless than the last, but could they be the ones in the dark? Our writer interviews author and academic Gerald Graff on who’s to blame for the failures in our classrooms.
Second Careers
When it’s time to change careers or face hardship in the workplace, many Americans ask, what would Jesus do? According to John Warner, most hockey players would prefer not to know.
Troubling New Events
Maybe it’s something to do with the harmonies, maybe it’s the way it just makes you feel good. You might not want to admit it, but your toes are definitely tapping.
Branded for Life
Teenagers: They've got cell phones, credit cards, and brand identities. A review of Alissa Quart's Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers finds a shared past not too dissimilar, and a terrifying prospect that may lie ahead of us all.
Mess With the Bull, You'll Get the Horns
The hazing at Glenbrook North High School and that other story about disregard for journalistic propriety can find judgment in the college classroom.
Selections From My Most Wanted
The U.S. printed the 55 most-wanted Iraqis on a deck of cards to enable both easy apprehension and quick games of rummy. But its villains aren’t the only ones on the loose. JOHN WARNER deals a more personal hand.
Among the "Unsavvy"
Being published in the New Yorker has long been a fantasy for many writers, and the magazine's recent change in the fiction chair appeared to offer more hope for the underpublished. Appearances, however, can be deceitful.
Man and the Lad Mag
Today's man has some very real problems, and the magazines he's reading may be a big reason why.