Washington’s Green Marsh (a.k.a. Reflecting Pool) conjures up images of the Dead Marshes in “Lord of the Rings.” In every way, the parallel fits.
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Monthly Archives: June 2026
The Reflecting Pool and the Dead Marshes
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged DJT, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, Reflecting Pool Leave a comment
A Spirited Defense of Difficult Reading
Naomi Kanakia’s recent book, “What So Great about Great Books,” makes a compelling case for reading the classics. To which I can only say, Amen!
What to Make of the Resurgence of Macho
With Pete Hegseth’s over-the-top exhibition of macho, I look at the history of literary cuckold jokes, which reveal the anxieties of insecure men.
DJT’s Victory Claim vs. Reality
Robert Southey’s “After Blenheim” perfectly captures Trump’s claim of victory over Iran.
Man in High Castle Captures Life under DJT
Dick’s “Man in a High Castle” shows how easily Americans can adjust to autocracy—which makes it particularly relevant today.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged DJT, Man in the High Castle, Naziism, Philip K. Dick, Timothy Snyder, tyranny Leave a comment
Made Whole by Their Hospitality
As Malcolm Guite makes clear, the story of Abraham and Sarah entertaining strangers is the call for us all to do the same. Thus are the barren made fertile.
How Sports Spurred My Literary Imagination
In which I examine my longtime relationship with sports, along with some of its literary associations.