Christoph Irmscher
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chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher
@chrisirmscher.bsky.social
150 followers 130 following 38 posts

Literary critic & book reviewer. http://christophirmscher.com.

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chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · 19h
Included in the excellent new issue of @washingtonmonthly.com!

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · 20h
I hope someone puts it up again over night and again and again… they can take down the flags but not erase their achievements.

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

washingtonmonthly.com
Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · 7d
Plus, book reviews by @davidaustinwalsh.bsky.social, @chrisirmscher.bsky.social, @garrettepps.bsky.social, @nberlat.bsky.social, and more. Read the editor's note and explore the whole issue:

washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/03/a...
Let the Affordability Bidding War Begin
As Trump falters, Democrats have a chance to outbid him with bolder solutions on prices, power, groceries, and health care.
washingtonmonthly.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · 9d
Very pleased to be published in @washingtonmonthly.com today! And —“Bernie for Burlington”…what a fabulous biography!

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

washingtonmonthly.com
Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · 9d
The young Bernie Sanders was an oddball and a perennial candidate. But even then, he saw a reality other politicians ignored.

@chrisirmscher.bsky.social reviews "Bernie for Burlington" by @dchiasso.bsky.social

washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/02/b...
Before the Revolution
The young Bernie Sanders was an oddball and a perennial candidate. But even then, he saw a reality other politicians ignored.
washingtonmonthly.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Dec 17
A terrific experience to chair the @bookcritics.bsky.social nonfiction committee, with the amazing @gwinnma.bsky.social, @michaelschaub.bsky.social, Jacob Appel, Colette Bancroft, Iris Dunkle, Jonathan Leal. Congrats to all longlisted authors and all writers whose work we read during the last year!
bookcritics.bsky.social National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Dec 17
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Nonfiction
national book critics circle 2025 LONGLIST NONFICTION America, América: A New History of the New World, by Greg Grandin (Penguin Press) Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins, by Barbara Demick (Random House) Empire of Al: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAl, by Karen Hao (Penguin Press) The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story, by Brandy Schillace (W.W. Norton) King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution, a Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation, by Scott Anderson (Doubleday) Misbehaving at the Crossroads: Essays & Writings, by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper) No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson, by Gardiner Harris (Random House) A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile, by Aatish Taser (Catapult) Sick and Dirty: Hollywood's Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness, by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury) Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, by Michael Luo (Doubleday) national book critics circle 2025 LONGLIST NONFICTION America, América: A New History of the New World, by Greg Grandin (Penguin Press) Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins, by Barbara Demick (Random House) Empire of Al: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAl, by Karen Hao (Penguin Press) The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story, by Brandy Schillace (W.W. Norton) King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution, a Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation, by Scott Anderson (Doubleday) Misbehaving at the Crossroads: Essays & Writings, by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper) No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson, by Gardiner Harris (Random House) A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile, by Aatish Taser (Catapult) Sick and Dirty: Hollywood's Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness, by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury) Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, by Michael Luo (Doubleday)

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

bookcritics.bsky.social
National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Dec 17
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Nonfiction
national book critics circle 2025 LONGLIST NONFICTION America, América: A New History of the New World, by Greg Grandin (Penguin Press) Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins, by Barbara Demick (Random House) Empire of Al: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAl, by Karen Hao (Penguin Press) The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story, by Brandy Schillace (W.W. Norton) King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution, a Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation, by Scott Anderson (Doubleday) Misbehaving at the Crossroads: Essays & Writings, by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper) No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson, by Gardiner Harris (Random House) A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile, by Aatish Taser (Catapult) Sick and Dirty: Hollywood's Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness, by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury) Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, by Michael Luo (Doubleday) national book critics circle 2025 LONGLIST NONFICTION America, América: A New History of the New World, by Greg Grandin (Penguin Press) Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins, by Barbara Demick (Random House) Empire of Al: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAl, by Karen Hao (Penguin Press) The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story, by Brandy Schillace (W.W. Norton) King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution, a Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation, by Scott Anderson (Doubleday) Misbehaving at the Crossroads: Essays & Writings, by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper) No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson, by Gardiner Harris (Random House) A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile, by Aatish Taser (Catapult) Sick and Dirty: Hollywood's Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness, by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury) Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, by Michael Luo (Doubleday)

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Dec 17
This was a fun committee to serve on. Congratulations to all the winners—and, really, everyone who published a biography last year. I read so many books I loved, but we were only able to pick 10 for the longlist, alas! Many of your books I will carry with me for a while. Thank you!
bookcritics.bsky.social National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Dec 16
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Biography
2025 LONGLIST BIOGRAPHY Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, by Sam Tanenhaus (Random House) Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography, by Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star, by Mayukh Sen (W.W Norton) A Perfect Turmoil: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America's Disabled, by Alex Green (Bellevue Literary Press) Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution, by Amanda Vaill (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore, by Ashley D. Farmer (Pantheon) Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, by Claire Hoffman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford, by Carla Kaplan (Harper) Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin, by Sue Prideaux (W. W. Norton) William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love, by Philip Hoare (Pegasus Books) 2025 LONGLIST BIOGRAPHY Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, by Sam Tanenhaus (Random House) Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography, by Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star, by Mayukh Sen (W.W Norton) A Perfect Turmoil: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America's Disabled, by Alex Green (Bellevue Literary Press) Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution, by Amanda Vaill (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore, by Ashley D. Farmer (Pantheon) Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, by Claire Hoffman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford, by Carla Kaplan (Harper) Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin, by Sue Prideaux (W. W. Norton) William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love, by Philip Hoare (Pegasus Books)

Reposted by Mary L. Dudziak, Christoph Irmscher

bookcritics.bsky.social
National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Dec 16
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Biography
2025 LONGLIST BIOGRAPHY Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, by Sam Tanenhaus (Random House) Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography, by Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star, by Mayukh Sen (W.W Norton) A Perfect Turmoil: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America's Disabled, by Alex Green (Bellevue Literary Press) Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution, by Amanda Vaill (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore, by Ashley D. Farmer (Pantheon) Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, by Claire Hoffman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford, by Carla Kaplan (Harper) Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin, by Sue Prideaux (W. W. Norton) William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love, by Philip Hoare (Pegasus Books) 2025 LONGLIST BIOGRAPHY Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, by Sam Tanenhaus (Random House) Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography, by Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star, by Mayukh Sen (W.W Norton) A Perfect Turmoil: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America's Disabled, by Alex Green (Bellevue Literary Press) Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution, by Amanda Vaill (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore, by Ashley D. Farmer (Pantheon) Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, by Claire Hoffman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford, by Carla Kaplan (Harper) Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin, by Sue Prideaux (W. W. Norton) William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love, by Philip Hoare (Pegasus Books)

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Dec 16
Congratulations to these amazing writers! As a member of the @bookcritics.bsky.social fiction committee, I’ve felt so privileged to read your work!
bookcritics.bsky.social National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Dec 15
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Fiction

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

bookcritics.bsky.social
National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Dec 15
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Fiction

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Dec 12
My new review in @washingtonmonthly.com of Brian Soucek’s brilliant “The Opinionated University” published by @uchicagopress.bsky.social. All the arguments you need next time your administration decides to remain silent.

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

anne-s-kim.bsky.social
Anne S Kim @anne-s-kim.bsky.social · Dec 11
Fascinating piece by Kukula Award winner @chrisirmscher.bsky.social @washingtonmonthly.com on the trap of "viewpoint diversity" increasingly adopted by US colleges in a vain attempt to stay out of Trump's crosshairs.

washingtonmonthly.com/2025/12/11/t...
The Kalven Trap
University leaders are clinging to “viewpoint diversity” and institutional neutrality in the face of MAGA assaults. This is a mistake.
washingtonmonthly.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Dec 3
A fun crash course in art history in the guise of a novel: Thomas Schlesser's "Mona's Eyes" from @europaeditions.bsky.social. My review in @theartnewspaper.bsky.social: www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/12/02/f...
French novel explores art as seen through the eyes of a young girl
The book provides a fresh—and refreshing—perspectives on famous works by the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe, Van Gogh and Goya
www.theartnewspaper.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Nov 3
A new book on the Vorticists finally puts the female artists front and center. My review of James King's "Our Little Gang" (@reaktionbools.co.uk) in @theartnewspapwr.bsky.social): www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/10/31/n...
New book highlights Vorticism’s toxic side—and puts its women pioneers back in the frame
James King’s study places Jessica Dismorr and Helen Saunders at the centre of the movement
www.theartnewspaper.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Oct 10
Such a pleasure to speak with Anne Kim of @washingtonmonthly.com about the art of book reviewing.

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

longtail.news
Longtail News @longtail.news · Oct 9
Feed: "Washington Monthly"
By: Anne Kim on Thursday, October 9, 2025
In Defense of Book Reviews
Kukula Award winner Christoph Irmscher discusses the craft of professional criticism, and why book reviews remain vital to democracy.
washingtonmonthly.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Oct 1
Laurent Binet's brilliant art historical whodunnit "Perspectives" (@fsgbooks.bsky.social, @penguinbooksuk.bsky.social) makes the world of 16th-century Florence come alive. My review in The Art Newspaper: www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/10/01/p...
Pontormo, Vasari and Michelangelo take leading roles in this 16th-century whodunnit
Novelist Laurent Binet weaves a compelling tale of Renaissance Italy with this art historical murder mystery
www.theartnewspaper.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Sep 19
New review in this week's @wsj.com of Henry Wiencek's "Stan and Gus" (@fsgbooks.bsky.social), a dual bio of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and the notorious Stanford White. Find out why I think a crab is the fitting symbol of their friendship:

www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘Stan and Gus’ Review: Monsters and Monuments
Stanford White and Augustus Saint-Gaudens had ambitious visions for New York City—and towering egos to match.
www.wsj.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Sep 12
My take on Jonathan Aaron’s wonderful “Just About Anything” @cmupress.bsky.social in @ronslate.bsky.social’s “On the Seawall”: “Aaron’s poetry, for the length of a few lines, a handful of pages, persuades us that things or people that are gone aren’t, in fact, lost.” www.ronslate.com/on-just-abou...

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Sep 3
My new review in @wsj.com--"The Shape of Wonder," @pantheonbooks.bsky.social, a very readable book, by astrophysicist Alan Lightman and abstronomer Martin Rees. Felt compelled to put in a reminder at the end that the humanities and arts are kind of cool, too: www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘The Shape of Wonder’ Review: Loving Their Lab Lives
The pursuit of scientific knowledge through experiment demands training, rigor and precision. For some it is a deep source of joy.
www.wsj.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Sep 1
If you‘re curious about what‘s happening to higher ed in my state (Indiana), here‘s an indispensable analysis, with plenty of evidence, by my colleague Purnima Bose: againstthecurrent.org/atc238/india...
Indiana’s Assault on Public Education
Godfather of Trump University, Trump is insisting on his rules for private and public U.S. universities. RIGHT-WING AUTHORITARIANS such as Donald Trump and his MAGA minions drive their ideological …
againstthecurrent.org

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Aug 20
I am so thrilled to have won one of the two 2025 Kukula awards, and congratulations to all the finalists and fellow award winner Ian Johnson. My deep gratitude to @washingtonmonthly.com for making this award possible—and to Kukula Kapoor Glastris, too, for her work. What a legacy!
washingtonmonthly.com Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · Aug 20
The Washington Monthly’s annual award celebrates the best in nonfiction book reviewing and honors the memory of Kukula Kapoor Glastris, the magazine’s beloved books editor. Read online about this year's winners:

washingtonmonthly.com/2025/08/20/t...
The 2025 Kukula Award Winners  | Washington Monthly
Annual award celebrates nonfiction book reviewing and honors the memory of Kukula Kapoor Glastris, the magazine’s beloved books editor.
washingtonmonthly.com

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

washingtonmonthly.com
Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · Aug 20
The Washington Monthly’s annual award celebrates the best in nonfiction book reviewing and honors the memory of Kukula Kapoor Glastris, the magazine’s beloved books editor. Read online about this year's winners:

washingtonmonthly.com/2025/08/20/t...
The 2025 Kukula Award Winners  | Washington Monthly
Annual award celebrates nonfiction book reviewing and honors the memory of Kukula Kapoor Glastris, the magazine’s beloved books editor.
washingtonmonthly.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Aug 18
Audubon is usually associated with largeness—here’s my view of him as a miniaturist, published in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social. engelsbergideas.com/essays/when-...
When nature took flight
In The Birds of America, a monumental achievement in every sense, John James Audubon wanted more than to illustrate nature. He made it come alive in his art, humbling mankind in the process.
engelsbergideas.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Aug 12
Very happy to be a finalist. Book reviewers often work in obscurity—it’s so great of @washingtonmonthly.com to recognize our work. Congratulations to all the other finalists!

Reposted by Christoph Irmscher

washingtonmonthly.com
Washington Monthly @washingtonmonthly.com · Aug 12
The Washington Monthly proudly announces the finalists of the 2025 Kukula Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Book Reviewing:
The Washington Monthly Announces Finalists for 2025 Kukula Award Book Review Prize    | Washington Monthly
Kukula Award book review prize honors exemplary nonfiction book reviewing that elucidates key issues of our times.
washingtonmonthly.com

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Jan 24
Congrats to all the poetry finalists of @bookcritics.bsky.social! It has been such an honor to serve on this committee!
bookcritics.bsky.social National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Jan 23
We're excited to announce the shortlist for the 2024 NBCC Award for Poetry! Congratulations to all of the finalists.
The finalists for the 2024 NBCC Award for Poetry are An Authentic Life by Jennifer Chang (Copper Canyon), Consider the Rooster by Oliver Baez Bendorf (Nightboat), Instructions for the Lovers by Dawn Lundy Martin (Nightboat), Scattered Snows, to the North by Carl Phillips (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), and Wrong Norma by Anne Carson (New Directions).

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Jan 24
What a delight to serve on the autobiography committee of @bookcritics.bsky.social! Congrats to all our finalists!
bookcritics.bsky.social National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Jan 23
We're excited to announce the shortlist for the 2024 NBCC Award for Autobiography! Congratulations to all of the finalists.
The finalists for the 2024 NBCC Award for Autobiography are The Last Fire Season: A Personal and Pyronatural History by Manjula Martin (Pantheon), Little Seed by Wei Tchou (Deep Vellum), The Minotaur at Calle Lanza by Zito Madu (Belt), Mother Archive: A Dominican Family Memoir by Erika Morillo (University of Iowa), and Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny, translated from the Russian by Arch Tait with Stephen Dalziel (Knopf).

chrisirmscher.bsky.social
Christoph Irmscher @chrisirmscher.bsky.social · Jan 24
It has been such an honor to serve on the biography committee of @bookcritics.bsky.social. Check out our excellent finalists below!
bookcritics.bsky.social National Book Critics Circle @bookcritics.bsky.social · Jan 23
We're excited to announce the shortlist for the 2024 NBCC Award for Biography! Congratulations to all of the finalists.
The finalists for the 2024 NBCC Award for Biography are Candida Royalle and the Sexual Revolution: A History from Below by Jane Kamensky (W. W. Norton), Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar by Cynthia Carr (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), Family Romance: John Singer Sargent and the Wertheimers by Jean Strouse (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People by Tiya Miles (Penguin Press), and The World She Edited: Katharine S. White at The New Yorker by Amy Reading (Mariner).