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Books take on aliens and biological warfare
In our era of scientific discoveries and breakthroughs, science fiction has become more credible. Two nonfiction authors use documented astrophysics and proven microbiology to debunk and project some common scenarios in science fiction. Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter, by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Simon Six 2026, 240 pages In one of the funniest and... READ MORE
Arthritis takes some time to get used to
When his four-year-old granddaughter asks to be lifted for a hug, this Grandpa doesn’t hesitate. Then he replaces her on Planet Earth with a small thud. He can’t hold her safely. His hands are screaming in pain. He apologizes and explains: Grandpa has arthritis. This common ailment has been creeping up on me for years. Lately, the creep has become a trot. My hands ache... READ MORE
What’s on stage this month in our area
As the holiday season arrives, full of cool days and nights around the fireplace, it’s time once again to join your fellow revelers at some of the cornucopia of plays and musicals on stage this month in the DMV. As the pilgrims before us, you’ll be thankful you did. Les Misérables, Olney Theatre Center, now through Jan. 31 The shot heard round the world! Just as they’re doing... READ MORE
Arena Stage’s play spotlights McCarthy era
During volatile times, going to the theater can feel like attending a pep rally for democracy. Theaters seem to choose every production to reflect on current events. This is certainly true of Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? at Arena Stage through December 6. The docudrama by immigrant playwright Eric Bentley directly quotes the heroism, struggle and treachery from the transcripts of... READ MORE
Books reveal wrongs and how to right them
We cannot avoid noticing that some institutions fail in their missions. The problem has existed since the dawn of civilization. Hopefully, individual and collective efforts arise to fix things. One recently published book reveals a huge systemic problem overlooked until now. Another details efforts to combat workplace injustices, while a third suggests a formula for identifying the right ... READ MORE
Memoir describes life on the reservation
Life doesn’t always go in the direction you think it will. Sometimes the journey is longer; other times it is accelerated. Even when life doesn’t take you where you want, it can sometimes place you exactly where you need to be. That is how it felt for Gene Gerber, DDS, MPH, a retired public health professional who this year published his memoir, Season of Healing: A Memoir of... READ MORE
Baltimore landmarks show up in new novel
Award-winning short story writer Louise Marburg was born and raised in Baltimore. Although she moved away after college, she returns to the city in her first novel, which was published in June. “It was fun to set it in Baltimore and revisit the neighborhoods — Roland Park and Guilford and Towson and Timonium, Fells Point,” said Marburg, 65, who grew up in Roland Park. In the... READ MORE
Frankenstein brings fact and fiction to life
In May of 1816, from a cauldron of circumstance and imagination, came forth a work some say represents the birth of science fiction as a literary form. The circumstance? A tremendous volcanic eruption that forced five friends to stay shuttered indoors in a gloomy, sunless summer, cold, idle and bored. The five friends happened to include the future Mary Shelley, whose imagination... READ MORE
Old coaches never die; they live in our minds
Sal died a few weeks ago, at the ripe old age of 96. Like many high school football coaches, he was a no-nonsense, no-excuses, scream-first taskmaster. But like no other coaches that I’ve ever met, he will be remembered for two words. The first was bip. The second was ballplayer. Sal divided his teenaged charges into two camps. Those who had not shown huge promise on the gridiron ... READ MORE
Former CIA officer publishes new spy novel
At the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, veteran case officer Artemis Procter has been called in for a meeting with her superiors. One of them asks, “What do you think of the Brits?” In her typical, no-nonsense manner, she replies, “They’re pickpockets.” Next thing she knows, Procter is shuttled off to the U.K. as the newly appointed chief of the... READ MORE
Arts 2026
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