In November 2006 in our Of Many Things column I wrote a short column on the remarkable success of Uwem Akpan a Nigerian Jesuit and astonishingly gifted writer who had been included in The New Yorker s Debut Fiction issue in the summer of 2005 Part of my delight in Uwem s success was

Yesterday the mastermind of the 9 11 terrorist attacks on the United States Khalid Sheik Mohammed told a military court in Guantanamo Bay that he wanted to be executed Yes this is what I wish I have looking to be a martyr from long time I will God willing have this by you I understand ve

Between now and November the single most important decision that Barack Obama will make is his vice-presidential pick The decision itself is of little consequence Although recent vice presidents have played prominent roles and Dick Cheney has been enormously influential usually vice presidents

Readers of the work of literary critic and novelist James Wood will know that he is God-haunted The title of his first novel was after all The Book against God Wood s preoccupation with God specifically the problem of evil is addressed head-on this week s New Yorker in which he cons

Cambridge MA On June 10 I will celebrate the 30th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood by Cardinal Terence Cooke I won t be getting together with my nine Jesuit classmates everyone is still in active ministry but we are saving the reunion for the 50th I think but I am sure al

The contrasting backdrops last night told the story John McCain appeared before a shocking lime green poster speaking to a few hundred supporters in Louisiana unable to find a cadence or turn-of-phrase that might stick in anyone s memory Hillary Clinton spoke to her supporters who unhelpfully