What happened on June 20, 2004
BOOKS
The dame in Spain By Nicholas A. Basbanes, Nicholas A. Basbanes is the author of "A Splendor of Letters."
Matters of perception By Michael Bracewell, Michael Bracewell is the author of "England Is Mine: Pop Life in Albion From Wilde to Goldie" and "When Surface Was Depth."
A fable for wartime, for our time By Jane Ciabattari, Jane Ciabattari is the author of the short-story collection "Stealing the Fire," a contributing editor to Parade magazine and will be distinguished writer in residence at Knox College this fall.
Dissenters held in a listless grip By Michael Harris, Michael Harris is a regular contributor to Book Review.
Filling in facts when what we crave is legend By Douglas Johnson, Douglas Johnson is emeritus professor of French history at the University of London.
Maverick minds, kindred spirits By Jonathan Kirsch, Jonathan Kirsch is a contributing writer to Book Review and the author of "God Against the Gods: The History of the War Between Monotheism and Polytheism."
The truth as he knew it By Francie Lin, Francie Lin is an occasional contributor to the Los Angeles Times Book Review and former deputy editor at the Threepenny Review.
Skulduggery and whodunits By Eugen Weber, Eugen Weber is a contributing writer to Book Review.
OPINION
Kerry: a Lighter Shade of Bush By William M. Arkin, William M. Arkin is a military affairs analyst who writes regularly for Opinion. E-mail: warkin@igc.org
A Kurdish State Within Iraq Would Benefit the Region By Henri J. Barkey, Henri J. Barkey, chairman of the international relations department at Lehigh University, was on the State Department's policy planning staff (1998-2000).
Economic Amnesia Buoys Incumbents By Larry M. Bartels, Larry M. Bartels directs the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics in Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Skeletons in Playa Vista's Closet By J. William Gibson and Chester King, J. William Gibson is a professor of sociology at Cal State Long Beach and author of "Warrior Dreams: Violence and Manhood in Post-Vietnam America." Archeologist Chester King advises the National Park Service on Native American cultural resources.
The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Legislature By Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a contributing editor to Opinion, is a senior scholar in the school of policy, planning and development at USC and a political analyst for KNBC.
Open Road in '04 Race By Kevin Phillips, Kevin Phillips' most recent book is "American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush."
The Dream in Transition By Kevin Starr, Kevin Starr is university professor of history at USC and state librarian emeritus. His "Coast of Dreams: California on the Edge, 1990-2003," will be published in September by Alfred A. Knopf.