The New Yorker: Politics & A Movie

This book, written by John Hersey, tells the stories of six survivors of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It is a pioneering work of New Journalism, focusing on the human suffering and survival in the aftermath of the bombing. The book follows the survivors—a doctor, a surgeon, a Methodist pastor, a German Jesuit priest, a widowed seamstress, and a young female factory worker—through their experiences on the day of the bombing and in the subsequent months and years. Hersey's account is known for its straightforward and emotive prose, highlighting the personal and long-term effects of the nuclear bombing on the survivors and the city of Hiroshima.

Published in 1962, 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson is a seminal work in environmental science. The book documents the harmful effects of DDT and other pesticides on the environment, including their impact on bird populations, other wildlife, and human health. Carson argued that these substances should be called 'biocides' due to their broad impact on ecosystems. The book was serialized in 'The New Yorker' before its full publication and generated significant public and scientific debate. It led to a reversal in U.S. pesticide policy, the banning of DDT for agricultural use in 1972, and the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. Carson's work challenged the prevailing attitudes towards scientific progress and human control over nature, advocating for responsible and careful use of pesticides and highlighting the need for environmental stewardship.

In 'In Cold Blood', Truman Capote chronicles the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, on November 15, 1959. The book follows the lives of the victims, Herb Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children Nancy and Kenyon, as well as the perpetrators, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. Capote uses a nonfiction novel approach, blending factual reporting with narrative techniques to create a deeply human and emotionally engaging story. The book explores the psychological states of the murderers, the community's reaction to the crime, and the investigative efforts led by Alvin Dewey of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. It delves into themes of innocence, evil, and the complexities of human nature, particularly through the empathetic portrayal of Perry Smith. The novel was first published serially in 'The New Yorker' in 1965 and later in book form in 1966, marking a significant contribution to the 'new journalism' genre.