David Denby

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | David Denby |Henry Holt

In his paean to another age, David Denby studies four icons who defined American culture in the second half of the 20th century. When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. EMINENT JEWS: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer, by David DenbyEvery book deserves to be judged on its own terms: Did the author accomplish what he or she set out to do?

1 month ago | kirkusreviews.com | David Denby

Dogged original research and superb narrative skills come together in this gripping account of pitiless evil. During that time, enrolled members of the Osage Indian nation were among the wealthiest people per capita in the world. The rich oil fields beneath their reservation brought millions of dollars into the tribe annually, distributed to tribal members holding "headrights" that could not be bought or sold but only inherited.

1 month ago | theatlantic.com | David Denby

Leonard Bernstein’s way with orchestras that wouldn’t give him what he wanted was usually imploring, even beseeching. He was disappointed—the musicians were not so much failing him, the conductor, as failing the composer, failing the music. But on one occasion, his disappointment turned to anger. In 1972, he was working with the Vienna Philharmonic on Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. Mahler had been the head of the Vienna Court Opera and had conducted the Philharmonic from 1897 to 1907.

2 months ago | sapirjournal.org | David Denby

Nothing is more stirring in Western movies than the horses. Beautiful and noble beasts, always our friends, they carry Indians, villains, and heroes across open plains; they bear John Wayne’s bulk for a day but often stand around waiting, exhausted, probably underfed, yet always ready for some demanding task.

Jul 10, 2024 | bfi.org.uk | Adam Scovell |Michael Brooke |David Denby

Though predominantly known as one of the foremost writers of the nouveau roman movement, Marguerite Duras was an equally adept if underrated filmmaker. Like her contemporary Alain Robbe-Grillet, she found that her sparse prose style and deeply haunted themes had equal purchase in often complex and experimental cinematic forms.