Why does The Guardian in London have so much better daily coverage of books and authors than any American newspaper, bar none?
Have a look at The spice of life (about J. P.Donleavy, who put the ginger in "The Ginger Man") and Age of unreason (an extensive interview with J.G. Ballard, who may be the sanest man on the planet in his perception of terrorism, globalization, government and the media, and the Internet).

American magazines aren't a total loss, though. Score one for The Atlantic. If you haven't read Odd Couple, David Thomson on Craig Seligman's new book, "Sontag & Kael: Opposites Attract Me," you might wanna. It's top of the line.

By the way: Everything I said earlier in FAT CATS about the astronomical ticket prices for "The Concert for John Kerry" is still true. The concert at Radio City Music Hall, postponed from June 10 because of the death of Saint Ronald, is scheduled for July 8. But the prices remain the same. Cheapest seat in the house: $250, which sucks. No wonder some are still available.