An Online Magazine Published Weekdays Since 1999
Books
Why New Orleans Matters


Why New Orleans Matters
Writer and musicologist Tom Piazza weighs in on his adopted city with the poignant Why New Orleans Matters. This book is a bittersweet paean to what is, arguably, the most joyous metropolis in North America and, ironically, the product of the kind of racial and cultural mongrelizing that America has given lip service to for a few hundred years. Those of you being swayed by the “it doesn’t make sense to rebuild New Orleans” argument should read this and think again. —Robert Birnbaum



This Week at TMN
Longing for the Sad Bastards

Part One

Sean Wilentz

Gender-Bending Grade-Schooler Attracts Notice

Covenant Schmovenant
From the Attic
Paper Faces, Paper Cities What if the city was something you could remake every day, restoring bits you feared were lost? Pitchaya Sudbanthad talks to the street artist known as Swoon, including a full gallery of her fascinating work.

Michael Chabon Writer Michael Chabon answers the five questions, mentioning real estate, Mr. Terrific, and Ashtabula.

Tricks of the Trade For every occupation, there is a catalog of secrets only its employees are aware of—such as how waiters with heavy platters know to look straight ahead, and never down. Armed with a bag of reader mail, Matthew Baldwin unfurls a whole lot more true insider knowledge.

That’s My Vader… Some days you’ve got it, other days you don’t. And some days, you’re the dark lord of the Sith. Rob Eccles knows what it would be like if Darth Vader spent a day in his shoes, speaking only in memorable quotes from the original Star Wars.
Click to win $100 from TMN and Blufr