The New York Review of Books

The New York Review of Books
source
Title	The New York Review of Books
Editor	David Remnick
Frequency	Biweekly
Category	Literary magazine
Founder	Robert B. Silvers, Barbara Epstein, Elizabeth Hardwick, Jason Epstein
Publisher	Rea S. Hederman
Firstdate	February 1, 1963
Country	United States
Based	New York City

The New York Review of Books. It is a prestigious American literary magazine known for its in-depth essays and reviews on a wide array of subjects, including literature, culture, politics, and science. Founded during a New York City newspaper strike, it quickly distinguished itself through its intellectual rigor and engagement with contemporary issues. The publication has featured contributions from many of the world's leading writers, intellectuals, and academics, establishing itself as a central forum for serious critical discussion.

History and founding

The publication was established in 1963 by Robert B. Silvers, Barbara Epstein, and literary critic Elizabeth Hardwick, with backing from publisher Jason Epstein. Its creation was a direct response to a prolonged strike by employees of The New York Times and other major New York City newspapers, which left a void for serious book review coverage. The founders aimed to create a journal of ideas that would avoid the constraints of traditional newspaper book sections. The first issue, published on February 1, 1963, included essays by notable figures such as W.H. Auden, Norman Mailer, and Mary McCarthy, setting a high standard for literary and critical discourse. Over the decades, it has maintained its editorial independence while navigating significant cultural shifts, including debates over the Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the post-September 11 attacks world.

Content and format

The magazine is published biweekly and is renowned for its lengthy, essayistic reviews that often synthesize multiple books to explore broader themes in politics, history, art, and philosophy. Its content extends beyond pure literary criticism to include investigative journalism, memoirs, and scholarly debates on scientific topics. A typical issue features several major review-essays, along with sections for poetry, letters from readers, and personal advertisements famously known as the "LRB"-style classifieds. The visual presentation is notable for its distinctive illustrated covers, often featuring work by artists such as David Levine, whose caricatures became a signature element for many years. The editorial stance is consistently intellectual, providing a platform for sustained argument and analysis rather than brief notices.

Influence and reception

It is widely regarded as one of the most influential intellectual publications in the English-speaking world. Its essays have frequently shaped public debate on critical issues, from the policies of the Johnson administration to the ethics of the War in Afghanistan. The magazine has been praised for its role in fostering the "public intellectual" and for introducing American audiences to important foreign writers and thinkers from regions like Eastern Europe and Latin America. It has received numerous awards, including the National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Critics, however, have sometimes accused it of representing a narrow Ivy League or Manhattan-centric viewpoint, though its contributors and subject matter are globally oriented. Its digital archive is considered an invaluable resource for scholars of contemporary thought.

Notable contributors

A vast array of distinguished writers and thinkers have written for the publication across its history. Early and frequent contributors included literary critics like Gore Vidal, Susan Sontag, and John Updike. It has published seminal essays by historians such as Tony Judt and Timothy Garton Ash, as well as scientists like Stephen Jay Gould and Oliver Sacks. Philosophers including Isaiah Berlin and Martha Nussbaum have engaged in its pages, alongside political commentators from Joan Didion to Timothy Snyder. International literary figures like V.S. Naipaul, Seamus Heaney, and J.M. Coetzee have been regular contributors. The editorial leadership of Robert B. Silvers and, later, Ian Buruma and David Remnick, has been instrumental in curating this roster of talent.

Business and ownership

The publication was initially operated by NYREV, Inc., a holding company formed by its founders. In 1984, it was purchased by publisher Rea S. Hederman, who also owned the *Clarion-Ledger* in Jackson, Mississippi. Hederman has served as its publisher since, maintaining its headquarters in New York City. Despite the challenges facing print media, it has sustained a loyal subscriber base and has adapted with a robust online presence and digital subscriptions. The business model relies heavily on subscriptions rather than newsstand sales or advertising, which has helped preserve its editorial independence. It also generates revenue through related ventures like the New York Review of Books Classics series, which republishes neglected works of literature.