This tension is everywhere in “Everything and Less,” which relies on the flash and surprise and ingenuity of its arguments to distract you from the sleight-of-hand taking place in the background. Mr.

Last November, only two months into my college experience, The Atlantic published an article titled, “The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books.” The article discusses how teachers, including at ...

Tracy K. Smith, a former U.S. poet laureate, makes the case in a new book of criticism. By David Kirby David Kirby teaches at Florida State University. His latest book is “The Winter Dance Party, ...