Ivory Tower

From James B. Stewart, the New York Times bestselling co-author of Unscripted and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, a deeply reported investigation into Harvard University, what happened when the Trump administration declared war on it, and the epic battle between the old guard and new money for control over a fabled institution

Harvard University, a symbol of excellence and prestige for nearly 400 years, has been under attack. The assault, by no means limited to the right-wing attacks on DEI, or the lawsuits brought by the Trump administration over billions of dollars in Federal funding, has exposed deep fault lines within academia and American society at large. The Harvard presidency is arguably the most powerful and influential position in academia, not least because it comes with huge sway over the university’s vast $57 billion endowment. Beginning with the controversial tenure of Lawrence Summers as president of Harvard, James Stewart goes behind the scenes with power brokers and students alike to reveal how Summers’s abrupt departure set the stage for a progressive backlash when Drew Faust was hired as his replacement, and for the highly symbolic choice of Claudine Gay as the university’s first Black president. After Hamas attacked Israel, Republican Congresswoman and Harvard graduate Elise Stefanik led a Congressional inquiry into antisemitism on campus. As the controversy intensified, Gay was accused of plagiarism and forced to resign. But these events were only the preamble to the multiple lawsuits the second Trump administration would file against Harvard in the years to come, forcing Harvard into the impossible position of trying to defend academic freedom at the risk of crucial funding.

A propulsive, character-driven narrative, replete with bold-faced names, combining deep investigative reporting and breaking news, this will be the definitive account of an institution on the brink. Using Harvard as the prism, Stewart confronts some of the most entrenched and sensitive fault lines of our polarized age, as the countervailing forces of meritocracy, elitism, identity politics, and tradition bear down on higher education from all sides. At stake is not only the future of Harvard, America’s preeminent university, but the very idea of education itself, and the unending struggle for the soul of the nation.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs