Judith H. Dobrzynski,"Brandeis on the Brink," The Daily Beast, 28 January, explains the extremity of the University's financial situation that drove its decision to close the Rose Art Museum. The New York Times calls on Brandeis to"share the pain across the university's budget."

Sage Ross,"Libraries and copyfraud," Revise and Dissent, 30 January, is a case study in the right to use a photographic image.

Nathan Nunn and Leonard Wantchekon,"The Slave Trade and the Origins of Mistrust in Africa," December. From the Abstract:

We investigate the historical origins of mistrust within Africa. Combining contemporary household survey data with historic data on slave shipments by ethnic group, we show that individuals whose ancestors were heavily threatened by the slave trade today exhibit less trust in neighbors, family co-ethnics, and their local government.

Hat tip.

Brigid Schulte,"Fresh Look at Martha Washington: Less First Frump, More Foxy Lady," Washington Post, 2 February, looks at Martha Washington revisionism.

Richard Eder reviews Adam Gopnik's Angels and Ages: A Short Book About Darwin, Lincoln, and Modern Life for the LA Times, 1 February.

Luc Sante,"Sontag: The Precocious Years," NYT, 29 January, reviews her Reborn: Journals and Notebooks 1947-1963.

Finally, in case you missed them, Arizona gets medieval, Jane Austen, with zombies, and my book will cost you only $8,539.00 (scroll down for comments).