All of that stuff about James Bond, that's Hollywood. You don't want anyone standing out in the intelligence business. You read more

All of that stuff about James Bond, that's Hollywood. You don't want anyone standing out in the intelligence business. You want someone nondescript. The ideal spy is 5-foot-6 and kind of dumpy.

A Short History of Myth.

A Short History of Myth.

It was better than the last one. He spotted the ball exceptionally well and kept the ball down, throwing all read more

It was better than the last one. He spotted the ball exceptionally well and kept the ball down, throwing all of his pitches.

Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.

Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.

He understands that the process is delicate one with equal chances of falling flat and moving forward. So he is read more

He understands that the process is delicate one with equal chances of falling flat and moving forward. So he is keeping his options open to wash his hands off, if the need arises.

But one sets of grandparents lived on Davidson Avenue in the Bronx and one lived in Manhattan and I had read more

But one sets of grandparents lived on Davidson Avenue in the Bronx and one lived in Manhattan and I had an aunt and uncle in Queens, so in my heart I was a New Yorker.

The time to enjoy a European trip is about three weeks after unpacking

The time to enjoy a European trip is about three weeks after unpacking

Hasten slowly.

Hasten slowly.

I am fascinated by the act of making something real that at one point is only an idea. It is read more

I am fascinated by the act of making something real that at one point is only an idea. It is challenging and beguiling to sense something inside, put it on paper (or carve it in stone), and then step back and see how much has got lost in the process.