Best-Of: Nicholas Kristof; Luis Miranda; Gentrification in the Hudson Valley; Dan Doctoroff; 'Funner' English Usage

On this long holiday weekend, some recent book interviews: Nicholas Kristof , opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of several books, including a new memoir, Chasing Hope (Penguin Random House, 2024), reflects on his long career covering tough stories, including war, genocide and addiction, and explains how he remains optimistic despite it all. Luis A. Miranda, Jr. , founder of the political consulting firm MirRam, founding president of the Hispanic Federation and the author of Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit that is Transforming America (Hachette Books, 2024), shares his story of his life and work in NYC politics (and as the father of Lin Manuel). Richard Ocejo , professor of sociology at John Jay College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and the author of Sixty Miles Upriver: Gentrification and Race in a Small American City (Princeton University Press, 2024), examines the effect on racial and income balance in the Hudson Valley's Newburgh, NY, of an influx of wealthier remote workers from NYC and its suburbs. Now facing a diagnosis of ALS, Dan Doctoroff , founder and chairman of the research foundation Target ALS, former president and CEO of Bloomberg LP and Sidewalk Labs, New York City deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding (2002-2007) and the subject of The Urbanist: Dan Doctoroff and the Rise of New York (Phaidon, 2024), looks about his impact on the City after 9/11 under Mayor Bloomberg and the new book that celebrates his achievements. Anne Curzan , University of Michigan professor of English language and literature, linguistics, and education and the author of Says Who?: A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words (Crown, 2024), offers her guide to English usage, where the 'rules' started and how to use them. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: Nicholas Kristof's Optimism (May 15, 2024) Luis Miranda's 'Latino Spirit' (May 7, 2024) When Gentrification Leaves the City (May 30, 2024) Dan Doctoroff's New York (Apr 18, 2024) A 'Funner' Guide to Language Usage (Mar 26, 2024)