Recommended by David A. Westbrook
Hyun Woo is a fine writer and a literary mind who spans ages and cultures. He is a scholar in a very old sense. Hyun Woo regularly translates classical Chinese poems into English, with a few words of explanation of the poem, and sometimes of his choices as translator. Concise, elegant, one of the best things on Substack.
A massive discussion of books and writing, by people who are into books and writing, from people who, wait for it, are into books and writing. Well done, useful, often witty.
Well researched, well read, well written "work" across a range of topics, including body building, classic comics, and any number of working class concerns. If Eric Hoffer decided to be a journalist and had a substack, maybe . . .
Vincent Kelley does two things. First, he is a sharp social critic of the contemporary who to my delight often accompanies his essays with a good image or two, many times flowers. Softens the cut! Second, and very useful, he is a voracious reader, and reports on what he has read over the last week or so. Finds things you probably missed, and might well care about. Useful and recommended.
Level headed political and literary critique. On politics, both big picture and tactical. Considers all perspectives, but unsurprisingly comes from a left/liberal perspective. On literature, harder to pinpoint. Empathetic. Very good on the national scene, and also on NY (which is not so easy to find). Clear writer, highly recommended.
