What we read while celebrating the independence of our nation by blowing up a small part of it…
- The Rolling Stone article on General McChrystal is raising typical questions about journalistic etiquette. Matt Taibbi, though, takes umbrage with the criticisms of CNN’s Lara Logan, and The New Yorker thinks likewise.
- Also at The New Yorker, Susan Orlean breaks down the #hashtag.
- The New York Times Magazine strikes again with its cover story on Mariano Rivera, Blower of Saves King of Closers. Tim penned his own ode to Rivera way back last season, but he didn’t complement it with fancy, statistically-backed animation.
- One week after he was the focal point of an NYTM feature, David Mitchell lands the cover story of the Book Review. Wyatt Mason, the man who wrote that feature on Mitchell, also broke down Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, which John S reviewed some weeks ago. Meanwhile on The Millions, Christopher Allen Walker looks at the oil spill in the Gulf through the now-prescient prism of Don DeLillo’s White Noise.
- As it turns out, Josh isn’t the only one who hates fireworks. So does Slate’s Troy Patterson.
- We had endless fun with the worst sentences of the year, but our personal favorite might have to be the following: “As Holmes, who had a nose for danger, quietly fingered the bloody knife and eyed the various body parts strewn along the dark, deserted highway, he placed his ear to the ground and, with his heart in his throat, silently mouthed to his companion, ‘Arm yourself, Watson, there is an evil hand afoot ahead.’”
- The answer appears to be “No,” but the question in the subhead–”Could a brain parasite found in cats help soccer teams win at the World Cup?”–is undeniably intriguing.
- Louis C.K.’s new show was positively received by more than just John S. He also did a cool and lengthy interview with The A.V. Club to promote the series.
- Joe Posnanski’s thoughts on the recruitment of LeBron.
- Homer sees Homer. Existential crisis ensues.
