AFRICAN CATCH-22
When Jeffrey Bartholet began covering Liberia’s civil war in 1990, he traveled through rebel-held territory where human skulls were planted on stakes. When Bartholet went back to interview President Charles Taylor (page 28), he was astonished to hear Taylor deny that his troops had committed atrocities. “It’s hard not to despair about Liberia,” says Bartholet. “Under Taylor, the country is going nowhere. And yet the new war to get rid of him will only cause more ruin.”
THE REAL DISH
The life of a restaurateur is all glamour, right? Fine wine to drink, a stylish space for entertaining pals, no early-morning commutes. Think again. On page 40, Jerry Adler details the pain and triumph behind the opening of Town, a new New York hot spot. If you manage to score a reservation, Adler recommends the Basque-style veal tongue.
