The Case for Motherhood
What does it mean when you don’t want your own child?
By Jean Kim Thursday, November 5, 2015
Do Female Lives Matter?
Uncovering forgotten history through fiction
By Judith Hooper Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Right Does Not Make It Right
How we keep free speech from becoming hate speech
By Amitai Etzioni Tuesday, September 29, 2015
The Phi Beta Kappa Awards Short List
Fifteen books are in the running for three $10,000 awards
By Stephanie Bastek Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Resisting Atticus’s Allure
On the eve of Harper Lee’s new book release, reconsidering the legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird
By Stephen Goodwin Monday, July 13, 2015
Remembering Robert Stone
The novelist possessed his characters, and was possessed by them
By Stephen Goodwin Wednesday, January 14, 2015
What He Stood For
How Angus Cameron, one of the most significant editors in the history of American publishing, responded to being targeted by the McCarthy blacklist
By Jonathan Coleman Friday, April 24, 2026
Who Is Blake Whiting?
The most astonishingly productive historian in recent times is someone you’ll never meet
By Andrew Lawler Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Importance of Being Idle
What Paul Lafargue taught us about work
By Robert Zaretsky Monday, March 30, 2026
Gilded Guilt
On Taylor Swift, Julian Fellowes, and the class conflicts that never die
By Jessa Crispin Friday, February 13, 2026
The Popper Principle
Did Plato really espouse ideas that led eventually to totalitarianism?
By Robert Zaretsky Thursday, January 29, 2026
It’s a Wonderful (Falling Apart) Life
In the disrepair of our everyday world are suggestions of life’s burdens and consolations
By Ben Slote Friday, December 19, 2025
The Conspiracist Cotton Mather
The zealot who oversaw the Salem Witch Trials initially voiced restraint—what changed?
By Colin Dickey Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Baby Shoggoth Is Listening
Why are some writers tailoring their work for AI, and what does this mean for the future of writing and reading?
By Dan Kagan-Kans Wednesday, October 29, 2025
What Is an American Hero, Anyway?
Lists of great artists say more about the list-maker than the artist
By Jessa Crispin Friday, October 24, 2025
