Spotlight
Why the West Won’t Die
Naoíse Mac Sweeney on writing a different kind of “big history” book
by Stephanie Bastek | Friday, June 09, 2023
Article
Last Dance
At a World War II internment camp, George Igawa entertained thousands of incarcerated Japanese Americans—while teaching a band of novices how to swing
by Julian Saporiti | Thursday, June 08, 2023
Read Me a Poem
“Leap Minnows, Leap” by James Still
Poems read aloud, beautifully
by Amanda Holmes | Tuesday, June 06, 2023
Web Essays
Just Imagine
Adam Smith on the faculty that makes us human
by Robert Zaretsky | Monday, June 05, 2023
Smarty Pants Podcast
No-No-Novel
Resurrecting the legacy of John Okada, the first Japanese-American novelist
by Stephanie Bastek | Friday, June 02, 2023
Cover Story
A Kingdom of Little Animals
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek’s discovery of microorganisms made possible the revolutionary advances in biology and medicine that continue to inform our Covid age
by Laura J. Snyder | Thursday, June 01, 2023
Tuning Up
Get Me Rewrite!
The relationship between a renowned author and a consummate editor can sometimes make for high drama
by Eric Wills | Thursday, June 01, 2023
Current Issue

Plus: Laura J. Snyder considers how Antoni van Leeuwenhoek’s discovery of microorganisms informs our Covid Age; Julian Saporiti resurrects the sounds of George Igawa’s World War II internment camp orchestra; and Sarah Ruden revises our revisionist histories of Vergil
Article
Last Dance
At a World War II internment camp, George Igawa entertained thousands of incarcerated Japanese Americans—while teaching a band of novices how to swing
by Julian Saporiti
Cover Story
A Kingdom of Little Animals
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek’s discovery of microorganisms made possible the revolutionary advances in biology and medicine that continue to inform our Covid age
by Laura J. Snyder
Book Reviews
Frontline Oracle
A new biography of America’s most beloved grunt reporter
by Elizabeth D. Samet
Tuning Up
Get Me Rewrite!
The relationship between a renowned author and a consummate editor can sometimes make for high drama