"Lost on a desert island, having a book like this to inspire you, and to learn, would allow you to still dedicate your life to something. Find yourself a little beetle, or a tiny ant. Maintain a sense of curiosity and thrill of exploration."

"Baldwin is one of my favorite writers and cultural critics. His work always feels both relevant and revelatory. This book-long essay on film and moviegoing is part memoir, part homage to cinema, and also an exploration of the ways corrosive ideas seep into the collective imagination."

"Chris Whipple’s exploration of the role of the White House chief of staff and how that position affects the president, the public, and government is a fascinating read. I think Whipple has pulled back a curtain and given us some important insights into how the presidency works."

"King Lear is the greatest achievement of the human imagination. It encompasses every experience of our time on this planet with unsentimental compassion. It is a terrifying fable, a wise exploration of man’s inhumanity to man and a comforting guide as we proceed, like Lear, to the promised end."

"Kramer vs. Kramer is one of my favorite films, where you have a story that really juxtaposes a lot of ideas that we have about family, and about parenting. Again, an incredibly simple plot that allows for really rich exploration of character, and one of the best screenplays I’ve ever read."