Mr. Olympia
When the ancient Greeks looked at human muscle, they saw something different than we do
By Michael Joseph Gross Thursday, March 20, 2025
In the Endless Arctic Light
A journey to the far north of Norway means confronting our changing climate
By Walter Nicklin Thursday, February 20, 2025
Verde
Learning a foreign language isn’t just about improving cognitive function—it can teach us to sense the world anew
By Jesse Lee Kercheval Thursday, December 12, 2024
Words Matter 
An opera can succeed only if libretto and score are in concert
By Dana Gioia Monday, December 2, 2024
Vital Signs
What happened when my husband became a paramedic
By Olivia Clare Friedman Monday, December 2, 2024
The Patron Subjects
Who were the Wertheimers, the family that sat for a dozen of John Singer Sargent’s paintings?
By Jean Strouse Thursday, November 14, 2024
A Giant of a Man
The legacy of Willie Mays and the Birmingham ballpark where he first made his mark
By Eric Wills Thursday, October 10, 2024
Adventures With Jean
Striking up a friendship with an older writer meant accepting the risk of getting hurt
By Craig Nova Thursday, October 3, 2024
The Valedictions of Elwyn Brooks
How the eminent essayist made an art of signing off
By Gregory Martin Monday, December 29, 2025
Expect the Worst
Sometimes we free ourselves by embracing our darkest fears
By Ronald W. Dworkin Thursday, December 4, 2025
The Breath Is Everything
How an encounter with the Dalai Lama led to forays into Buddhism
By James Conaway Monday, December 1, 2025
Too HIP to Be Square
Wagner’s Ring on period instruments?
By Vivien Schweitzer Monday, December 1, 2025
The Heart of the Matter
A new cardiovascular drug may be revolutionary, but what we really need is more quality time with our doctors
By Jay Neugeboren Monday, December 1, 2025
The Visual Turn
Painting portraits of other people can tell us truths about ourselves
By Paula Marantz Cohen Monday, December 1, 2025
Gone Fishin’
Could two famous rivermen really have met their end while grappling giant fish in a Kansas river?
By Eric McHenry Thursday, November 6, 2025
Redemption Song
What the rehabilitation of Pete Rose says about American society today
By Eric Wills Friday, October 24, 2025
A Visit to Epidaurus
When a play ends with a dismemberment, the effect on the audience can be transformative
By Rachel Shteir Friday, September 26, 2025
