“Arendt shows us ‘how to think the world anew…how to hold ourselves accountable for our actions, how to think critically without succumbing to ideology,’ Hill writes.” Shaan Sachdev on "The Life of Hannah Arendt's Mind" by @Samantharhill. https://t.co/1cCSM8TCEK
— Los Angeles Review of Books (@LAReviewofBooks) August 7, 2021
Tag Archives: Reviews
New Art Books: ‘Vermeer – The Complete Works’
In his lifetime, however, the fame of Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) barely extended beyond his native Delft and a small circle of patrons. After his death, his name was largely forgotten, except by a few Dutch art collectors and dealers.
Despite numbering at just 35, his works have prompted a New York Times best seller; a film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth; record visitor numbers at art institutions from Amsterdam to Washington, DC; and special crowd-control measures at the Mauritshuis, The Hague, where thousands flock to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic and enchanting Girl with a Pearl Earring, also known as the “Dutch Mona Lisa”.
Outside of Holland, his works were even misattributed to other artists. It was not until the mid-19th century that Vermeer came to the attention of the international art world, which suddenly looked upon his narrative minutiae, meticulous textural detail, and majestic planes of light, spotted a genius, and never looked back.
This 40th anniversary edition showcases the complete catalog of Vermeer’s work, presenting the calm yet compelling scenes so treasured in galleries across Europe and the United States into one monograph of utmost reproduction quality. Crisp details and essays tracing Vermeer’s career illuminate his remarkable ability not only to bear witness to the trends and trimmings of the Dutch Golden Age but also to encapsulate an entire story in just one transient gesture, expression, or look.
The author
After completing his studies of art history and archaeology at the University of Vienna, Karl Schütz joined the staff of the Gemäldegalerie of the city’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, serving from 1972 as a curator and from 1990 to 2011 as its director. His particular scholarly interests include Netherlandish and Flemish painting, early-16th-century German painting, courtly portraiture, and the history of the Gemäldegalerie collection.
Preview: Times Literary Supplement – August 6
Literature: The London Review Of Books – Aug 12
Medicine: Transcatheter Treatments For Valvular Heart Disease (JAMA Video)
Transcatheter valvular repair and implantation has become increasingly common for treating patients diagnosed with valvular heart diseases.
0:00 This video summarizes the three transcatheter valvular therapies currently in use in the United States: transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures, and transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.
0:47 Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) for patients with severe aortic stenosis regardless of surgical risk 2:47 Transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures for patients with bioprosthetic valve failure
3:35 Transcatheter mitral valve repair for high surgical risk degenerative mitral regurgitation and for severe functional mitral regurgitation regardless of surgical risk.
Science: Flood Risks In High Population Areas, Selfishness, Democracy
Satellite imaging has shown population increases are 10x higher in flood prone areas than previously thought, and a new way to introduce fairness into a democratic process.
In this episode:
00:47 Calculating how many people are at risk of floods.
Researchers have used satellite imagery to estimate the number of people living in flood-prone regions. They suggest that the percentage of people exposed to floods has increased 10 times more than previously thought, and with climate change that number is only set to climb.
Research Article: Tellman et al.
News and Views: The fraction of the global population at risk of floods is growing
09:41 Research Highlights
People are happy to be selfish towards a crowd, but generous to an individual; and how wildfire smoke affects clouds’ brightness.
Research Highlight: ‘Robber’ experiment tests generosity — with sobering results
Research Highlight: Wildfire smoke creates brighter clouds — and weather changes
12:01 Making democracy fairer
Citizens’ assemblies are small groups of people invited to come together to help inform and affect policy decisions. But deciding who is in these groups is a mathematical challenge — the process needs to be random, but still reflect social demographics. This week, researchers describe a new algorithm that could offer a solution.
Research article: Flanigan et al.
News and Views: A bridge across the democracy–expertise divide
20:04 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, how ships could spread a deadly coral disease, and research shows that female scientists are less likely to be cited in elite medical journals.
The Guardian: Deadly coral disease sweeping Caribbean linked to water from ships
Nature News: Fewer citations for female authors of medical research
Outdoor Sports Books: “Remarkable Bicycle Rides”
The latest title in the bestselling Remarkable series, this is a fully illustrated collection of some of the most spectacular and life-affirming cycling trips from around the world.
There are the classic mountain climbs beloved of followers of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, such as the climb to Alpe D’Huez in France and the Stelvio Pass in Italy. Gentler touring routes include the Hadrian’s Cycleway, which crosses from Britain’s Solway Firth to the North Sea following the line of Hadrian’s Wall.
For those wishing to push themselves to the very edge, there is the North Yungas Road, also known as El Camino de la Muerte (Death Road), in Bolivia; bike trails round some of the world’s most spectacular national parks, such as the Canyonlands National Park, and a journey through the forests and mountains of Transylvania.
About The Author
When author Colin Salter isn’t penning his incredibly successful “100” series (100 Books that Changed the World, 100 Speeches, 100 Letters, and 100 Children’s Books), he likes nothing better than taking his mountain bike out to the highlands and islands of his native Scotland. The author of Remarkable Road Trips, Colin has swapped four wheels for two in this global treat for all levels of cyclists.
World Affairs: Emerging Markets Growth, Tunisia Turmoil, Ireland Dry Bars
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week: growth in emerging markets, Tunisia faces a constitutional crisis (9:53) and dry bars of Ireland (16:03)
Analysis: Athletes Focus On Mental Health (Video)
Simone Biles’s withdrawal from competitions at the Tokyo Olympics has put renewed focus on mental health in sports. WSJ looks at how the stigma and treatment for athletes’ state of mind has shifted. Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters
English Guest Houses: The ‘Lord Crewe Arms’, Poet Auden’s Favorite Bolthole
‘No other spot brings me sweeter memories,’ remarked the poet W. H. Auden about the Lord Crewe Arms. 90 years later, the beauty of this historic bolthole, on the Northumberland/Co Durham border, hasn’t changed.
In the village of Blanchland, the 12th-century building was originally a guest house for Blanchland Abbey. Today, the Calcot Collection runs the show and the company’s clever touches — as seen in Barnsley House — shine through.
The superb food is modern British with big flavours, made using local produce. After cocktails in the barrel-vaulted Crypt Bar, we feasted in the elegant dining room: my favourite dish was the super succulent roasted guinea hen with a garden herb sauce.
Boomers Daily 