John Powers

Critic-at-large John Powers salutes the Chilean-born writer and the new literary "It" boy, Roberto Bolano, who died in 2003. Bolano's novel, 2666, is a "massive epic of modernity," says Powers.

Once renowned for its artists, Italy seemed to vanish from the world stage in the '80s and '90s. But two new novels, Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio and Sicilian Tragedee, show Italian culture enjoying an international comeback.

Stefan Forbes' documentary looks at the life and controversial career of Lee Atwater, the political operative who ran George H.W. Bush's 1988 campaign — and introduced the nation to Willie Horton.