This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
When Writers Rebuke You/Us/We/Them/America
Here's what we know: on Thursday night at 7pm, Walter Kirn (who we believe is a genius, but we cannot prove it), former U.S. Senator George McGovern, writer James Q. Wilson and editor extraordinaire Robert Vare will be in discussion at the Central Library.
What will they discuss? How literary masters of the past have both interpreted and rebuked American society and culture, as documented in the new anthology The American Idea: The Best of the Atlantic Monthly.
Yes, it does sound a bit hoity-toity. Even, dare we say it, a little boring. But. Well. Walter Kirn. He wrote The Unbinding as a serialized novel on Slate and then it became a print novel with hyperlinks. A. Print. Novel. With. Hyperlinks. He wrote Thumbsucker for crying out loud. And: George freaking McGovern. And: Robert Vare, editor at large for The Atlantic Monthly, former editor at Rolling Stone. Certainly with that kind of brainpower there will be something good coming out of it all, right? Plus, pitting conservative "no gun control" James Q. Wilson against the likes of Kirn, McGovern and Vare seems like a recipie for heated discussion, no?
We're intrigued. Very intrigued. If the discussion proves less than thrilling, the anthology - which includes the work of far too many genius writers to mention (just look at the cover!) - definitely seems worthy of our time.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
