Latest news with #Harper's
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Daniel Silva's new spy thriller came together in just six months: ‘I work all day, every day, seven days a week'
Another summer reading op Award-winning Daniel Silva: 'My new book 'An Inside Job' is my 28th. Each hit the best-seller list. I'm now in airports and hotel rooms publicizing it.' Translated into 30 languages, this latest in his international Gabriel Allon spy series is about the Vatican robbery of a papal masterpiece. Silva: 'HarperCollins' schedule is only six months to write. To survive I do similar things constantly. Same clothes, sleep three hours, up early because my head's working. I work all day, every day, seven days a week. My phone's in a different room, the Internet's ignored, distractions are cut. I focus. I stay at it all the time to get it done. The cover of Silva's new book 'An Inside Jobs.' 'While writing I couldn't even see the ending because of the story's major twists. Otherwise, I just can't pull it off. Harper's provides private editing so even typos don't slip through. It's only six months to write a book a year. Very short time. My Gabriel Allon character is a Venice-based art restorer. This one was inspired by a recent financial scandal at the Vatican. The real story is a cardinal was once on trial, first ever, before a Vatican tribunal. Embezzlement. Real estate deal gone bad. The Vatican lost hundreds of millions of euros. 'I borrowed that incident, added a Leonardo da Vinci stolen painting and turned it into an inside job. To write this I even had to learn to paint like da Vinci.' Born in Kalamazoo, Mich., educated in California, worked in Washington at CNN, wrote his first book in secret, is married to journalist Jamie Gangel. So Silva's opinion on guns? 'Don't like them. We have too many of them. This country has more guns than people.' Paint the town dread Agreed that America can never be destroyed by its Instant Geniuses. But New York — the greatest smartest toughest richest chunk of land on the planet — is hobbling. Also aging. Our whole city has athlete's foot. Bridges not bridging, rivers overflowing, forest fires, airplanes crashing, torrential rains, crushing heat, big-time poverty, school system busted, medical system busted, haters, demonstrators, shops closing, prices rising, people moving, trains fearsome, food expensive, cops quitting, politicians fighting, senators like New Jersey's in prison, traffic impassable — but, listen, all's not bad. Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters We've got bicycles, delivery guys, scaffolds, restaurateurs on coke, three mayoral maybes who nobody adores. Also crime, high cost of living, public housing, killing us taxes, filth, homelessness, dicey safety, ants, rats, pollution, double parking — and a 33-year-old semi-commie (my bras are older) looking to run it all. Also — worse than a week-old bagel — Stephen Colbert gone poop. Even the Statue of Liberty needs a hanky. Me bitching and moaning — but where else is there to go? South Dakota? After a week trying to find it, what have you got? Prairies and skybeans. That's not in New York, kids, not in New York.
Elle
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Amy Poehler's Private Romance With Joel Lovell Is No Longer a Secret
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. In March 2025, Amy Poehler and editor Joel Lovell made their red carpet debut at the the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar party following almost a year of low-key dating. In October 2024, People reported the pair had begun seeing one another that summer, with a source saying they were 'enjoying spending time together.' The Parks & Recreation star has been previously linked to John Stamos, Nick Kroll, and Benjamin Graf, but her most well-known relationship was with her ex-husband, Will Arnett. The pair was married for 13 years before divorcing in 2016. They share two sons, 16-year-old Archie and 14-year-old Abel. Here's everything to know about Poehler and her connection with Joel Lovell so far. Joel Lovell grew up in upstate New York, then went to college at Cornell University, according to an interview with the University of Michigan's alumni newsletter in 2016. He wanted to go to medical school but discovered a love for literature and writing. He went to University of Michigan for his MFA. After graduating, he taught undergraduate fiction writing at Michigan before making a big career change. 'I kind of lucked into a magazine job at Harper's,' said Lovell. 'My friend had applied for a job at the magazine but decided not to take it, so he recommended me. I literally just got a call one day from an editor asking if I'd be interested in applying for an editing job. That was 20 years ago.' From Harper's, he went to the New York Times Magazine and GQ, where he wrote a very popular profile of Stephen Colbert in 2015, which connected him to the comedy world. He then became deputy editor of the New York Times Magazine. According to People, Lovell left the publication to start working in podcasting. He is now the executive editor at Pineapple Street Studios, which is owned by Audacy, the producers of Poehler's 2023 scripted comedy podcast, Say More with Dr? Sheila. On his company's website, Lovell is credited for editing the podcasts Missing Richard Simmons, Winds of Change, and 9/12. Before that, he worked as the executive editor at This American Life and on the first two seasons of hit true crime show Serial. In his University of Michigan interview, Lovell shared a bit about his editing philosophy. 'You have to look at what's working in the story, but also, in a less intellectual sense, you look at the way in which things are said,' said Lovell. 'You start paying a crazy amount of attention to the sound of things, such as, 'Oh, there's an intake of breath here that makes the next thing she says difficult to understand.'' Like Poehler, Lovell has children from a previous relationship: Addie, 23, Tess, 21, and Julia, 17. After going red carpet official at the 2025 Academy Awards, Poehler referenced her date in an interview at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. 'I had the trifecta tonight, which never happens,' she said of her experience that evening. 'I'm just gonna say, I liked how I looked, which never happens—you know what, I want to be one of the greatest! I want to be the Michael Jordan of this party. I liked how I looked, I had fun with my date, and my feet don't hurt.' But she added, laughing, 'I cannot wait to leave. I cannot wait to get in there so I can do a lap and leave.'
New York Post
31-05-2025
- New York Post
Meet the unhinged killer cowboys who made Texas legendary and the Old West ‘wild'
As much as the 'Gunfighter Era' of the Old West was characterized by shoot-outs in the streets, so too was it known for tall tales and quick quips. Consider the case of Pink Higgins. Higgins stumbled upon a cattle rustler who had just killed and butchered one of his herd, so he shot the man dead and stuffed him inside the steer. As Bryan Burroughs recounts in 'The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild' (Penguin Press, June 3), 'then [Higgins] rode into town to tell the sheriff he should come see a miracle, a cow giving birth to a man.' 5 Wild Bill Hickok was one of the first and most infamous Texan cowboys, given mass attention in an 1867 article in Harper's, and claimed he had killed hundreds. Wikipedia/ Public Domain The first nationally known gunfighter was 'Wild Bill' Hickok, whose fame was cemented by a Harper's Weekly profile in 1867 that claimed he'd killed 'hundreds' of men. While that number was laughably exaggerated, Wild Bill killed plenty. The first was at a Nebraska stagecoach station in 1861, when Hickok was told to butt out of a loud dispute because it was none of his business. 'Perhaps 'tis,' he was said to nonchalantly reply, 'Or 'tain't.' Then he drew his pistol, killing one man and wounding two others. But to live by the 'Gunfighter's Code' of the Old West was to die by it, too. As a Kansas marshal in 1871, Hickok shot dead a cowboy who'd unexpectedly fired on him, but then when his own deputy came racing around a corner with guns drawn 'Wild Bill' accidentally killed him, too. Then in 1875 in Deadwood, SD, a man Hickok had beaten at poker executed America's most famous gunfighter with a cowardly shot to the back of his head. When gunfighters weren't killing or being killed though, a lot of time they were cracking wise. 5 Legendary cowboy Wyatt Earp and his brothers cut a murderous path through 19th century Texas. Wikipedia/ Public Domain Clay Allison was a fearsome 'shootist' likely suffering from Civil War PTSD, who once rode his horse through a frontier town wearing only a gun-belt. Before shooting one of his victims, Allison first invited him to dinner — the two eventually exchanging bullets right at the table. Asked why he would invite his victim to share a meal before killing him, Burroughs writes that Allison just shrugged. 'Because I didn't want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach.' 5 A scene from the barely developed streets of Deadwood in 1876. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration There's Mysterious Dave, who announced, 'You have lived long enough,' to a cowboy he then shot dead. And professional gambler Ben Thompson, who was told by a threatening gunfighter to avoid a certain city because men were waiting for him there. But the card shark was hardly scared, Burroughs writes. 'I'm Ben Thompson,' he purred. 'If I should go up there, I would serve the boys just so.' Ditto Doc Holliday at the O.K. Corral, who replied to an opponent's threat that he would shoot him down with a laconic 'you're a daisy if you do.' And at the end of that gunfight, it was the infamous Wyatt Earp who had the last word. Looking down at the dead men Earp and his brothers had just defeated in a dispute over carrying their weapons in town, Wyatt joked they no longer 'have to disarm that party.' Even local newspapers could kid about gunplay in the streets, with an 1872 story in Kansas noting the lack of shootings that summer with a headline announcing 'No One Killed Yet.' Another notable characteristic of the Old West's 'Gunfighter Era' was its exaggerated exploits. William 'Wild Bill' Longley claimed to have killed more than 30 men, but the more likely number was four or five. 5 'The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild' is written by Bryan Burrough. 5 Author Bryan Burroughs. And though Johnny Ringo was once considered the most fearsome gunfighter in the country, it was only confirmed that he'd fired his pistol twice. Once he wounded a man in a bar room argument, Burrough writes, with the other incident even less impressive. 'The only other time we're certain Ringo fired… he shot himself in the foot.' There were plenty of real gunfights in those days, though, over slights big and small, whether rustling a man's cattle or cutting in on his dance. One siege at a homestead went on so long that the farm's hogs eventually began devouring the bodies of dead combatants. Maybe the most incredible gunfight of them all occurred in New Mexico in 1884, when a sole, 19-year-old wannabe lawman named Elfego Baca took on 80 angry Texas cowboys. Wearing an unofficial, mail-order badge, Baca arrested and jailed one Texan for misbehaving in the town's streets. When a handful of the captive's friends demanded his release, Baca squared off with them and told them he would begin to shoot. The Texans laughed, but Baca began to fire. He killed one as the others fled, at least until they returned 80 strong. All alone, Baca then engaged the Texans in a gun battle, ultimately being chased into an abandoned home. The Texans unloaded so many bullets that eventually the house collapsed onto itself. Four hundred bullet holes were later counted in its front door alone, but when law enforcement eventually intervened, Baca had killed four and walked away unscathed. Writes Burroughs: 'Covered with dust, Baca emerged in his underwear, a revolver in each hand.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Our leading lights are embracing the political low road
Apr. 23—In 1992, Iowa U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin went searching for a gimmick to draw attention to his campaign for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. The populist firebrand eventually settled on the use of profanity as a means of appearing authentic. Harkin failed as a candidate, eventually endorsing rival Bill Clinton. But he succeeded in drawing attention — both positive and negative — to his embrace of the then-un-embraceable: public use of profanity. Harper's magazine thought Harkin's vocabulary so unique that it counted the frequency of Harkin's use of the "B" word, an adjective intended to portray his opponent's positions as "misleading or deceptive." "Number of times Senator Tom Harkin used the word [expletive] in public speeches last summer: 17," it reported. In his own way, Harkin has proved to be a rhetorical trailblazer. These days, politicians in both parties routinely and publicly use what is considered foul language. In addition to calling his opponents "losers" and "scumbags," President Donald Trump has employed vulgar adjectives to make his points. Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin once professed to be scandalized because Trump, in a first-term private meeting, used a profane adjective to describe the country of Haiti. These days, Durbin's fellow Democrats fire one expletive after another at the political opposition. Illinois' junior U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth has dropped a series of "F" bombs to denounce Trump, chastise former cable program host Tucker Carlson and challenge the credibility of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In a recent interview, she added to her repertoire by accusing Trump of defecating (not her specific word) on the American flag. The insulting language has gone beyond profanity to meanness. Texas U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett recently lampooned Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as "Governor Hot Wheels," an obviously demeaning reference to a disability that requires him to use a wheelchair. Forbes magazine in 2012 asked, "When Can a Politician Use Profanity, If Ever?" Seven years later, Politico answered that question with a story headlined, "F-bombs away: Why lawmakers are cursing now more than ever." It's nothing new for those who hold positions high or low to express themselves in vulgar terms. For some, it's part of their private vocabularies, and politicians are no exception, even if they pretend otherwise. When he was vice president, Richard Nixon praised President Dwight Eisenhower for restoring clean language to the White House, a clear reference to President Truman's expletive-laden vocabulary. Decades later, the White House tapes revealed a private Nixon who was so profane that the Rev. Billy Graham, a longtime friend, said the tapes revealed a side of Nixon he did not know. CNN has identified other famously foul-mouthed-in-private politicians including Trump, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush and John Kerry. But what's with the public displays? And how does it go over with their audiences? It's a sign of the times. National writer Noah Rothman said "these crass displays" could be interpreted as "earthy expressions of candor" that are applauded by those who agree with the speaker. But he said they are more likely a tactic that can be characterized as "an anti-intellectual shtick aimed at manipulating the audience into exhibiting an emotional response to otherwise deficient stimuli." In other words, those who cannot make a cogent argument engage in name-calling to state their cases. Loudness does not equate with logic, but the name of the political game is tapping into audience emotions, resentments and grievances by any means necessary. Some, of course, object on grounds of taste alone. But it's a new world, for good or ill, and that ship sailed long ago.
CBC
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
3 'thrilling' novels about women breaking free in midlife
When Miranda July's novel All Fours was released last May, it generated enormous buzz for bringing to light the fears, desires and longings of a middle-aged woman — touching on themes of motherhood, marriage, sexuality and perimenopause. Canadian journalist Alicia Cox Thomson says it has sparked a positive trend in the literary world, bringing about discussions that tackle a topic and perspective once considered taboo — and she brought two books to the table that also feature women in middle age. " Some women might not be comfortable talking about it, some men might not want to hear it. I feel like with this full force, these books are about a real important point in a woman's life," said Thomson. "Hopefully it'll normalize it, and then we'll start to see more — where the focus isn't 'This character is going through this,' it's just a book about a person who happens to be that age who might be experiencing that, but that's not the main point." On The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing, Thomson spoke about three literary novels that depict women in their midlife. All Fours by Miranda July All Fours follows an unnamed artist in her mid-forties as she grapples with the breakdown of her marriage and the physical and emotional toils of perimenopause. She escapes on a road trip — leaving behind her husband and son, and gets involved in extramarital affairs. Miranda July is a writer, filmmaker and artist based in Los Angeles. Her previous works include the novel The First Bad Man and short story collection No One Belongs Here More Than You which won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. July's work has also been featured in The Paris Review, Harper's and The New Yorker, Alicia Cox Thomson says:"I'm a writer, and I do find that when you become a mother, your priorities shift, rightfully so. Did I work as much on my craft when I was in the trenches with young children? 'No.' Have I tried to return to it now that they're older? 'Yes.' I do understand that struggle between your passion for your art, or your creative life, or your journey and your passion for your children." The Change by Kirsten Miller In The Change, three different women navigate the changes and challenges of mid-life. While they're each battling their own issues — marriage breakdowns, career shifts, empty nests and loss of loved ones, they're brought together through one woman's ability to hear from the dead, which leads them to solve a string of murders. Kristen Miller is an author who was born and raised in North Carolina, but now lives in Brooklyn, New York City. Her previous works include Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books which was a GMA Book Club pick and the YA series featuring Kiki Strike. Alicia Cox Thomson says:"It's like a juicy thriller that you just want to turn the pages. It's a thoughtful work about women and power and coming into your own. It is a powerful discussion of what happens to powerful, wealthy men who are finally pushed back against." The Mother Act by Heidi Reimer The Mother Act depicts the tumultuous relationship between Sadie Jones, a famous actress and feminist, and her estranged daughter, Jude. Despite Sadie's fame from a one-woman show about motherhood, Jude has spent her life seeking validation from her mother. Two decades later, when they meet at Sadie's play premiere, they explore whether it's possible to balance motherhood with career. Heidi Reimer is a writer based in northern Ontario. Her work has been featured in Chatelaine, The New Quarterly, Literary Mama and the anthologies The M Word: Conversations about Motherhood and Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers. Her debut novel is The Mother Act.
