QUICK TAKES - Jan. 30, 2009

Historians Robert Dallek and Sean Wilentz and author-essayist Barbara Ehrenreich are among the more than 100 writers who have signed an open letter asking the Washington Post not to shut down its stand-alone Sunday Book World section.

“Few forums besides Book World introduce so many readers to so many important new works of literature and thought each week,” the letter reads. “As part of one of our most venerated papers, it carries prestige and influence. It enriches our culture with its thoughtful criticism.”

Citing a need to cut costs, the Post announced Wednesday that it was ending regular publication of Book World as of Feb. 15, eliminating one of the few stand-alone book review sections left among daily newspapers.