From Monthly Review, an essay on the history of imperialism theory. A review of Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World by Samantha Power (and more). The Pop Culture Manifesto: William Irwin on philosophy as/and/of popular culture. From The New York Times Book Review, a special issue on books on politics. Britney Spears’s situation outlines the dangers of blurring the line between socially celebrated behavior and behavior with profound psychological causes. From LA Weekly, an article on LA gangs: nine miles and spreading. How low can the crime rate go? The Paris of the North: Why does Leah McLaren provoke such loathing amongst Canadian women? An article on a new clash between Jews and the Vatican. Jacob Heilbrunn on 5 myths about those nefarious neocons and more and more on They Knew They Were Right. Science of the orgasm: To unlock the secrets of the climax researchers are looking behind the scenes, where the true magic happens. A review of Blogwars: The New Political Battleground by David D. Perlmutter. Teaching-only staff were once widely deemed unworthy of the name "academic", but one in four UK academics is now labelled so. The impossible art of deciphering manuscripts: Robert Frost is hardly the first to give editors trouble. Try not to hate them: Frenchwomen don't get fat, and they do get lucky.