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
Facing Death at the Ends of the Earth
The discovery of the world’s oldest rock offers a hefty dose of perspective
By Walter Nicklin Thursday, October 7, 2021
To Dance an Exclamation Point
The case for An American in Paris as Gene Kelly’s best
By David Lehman Saturday, September 25, 2021
“What’s My Name?”
Ken Burns’s new documentary examines the enduring power of Muhammad Ali
By Eric Wills Thursday, September 23, 2021
A Desperate Escape
The events in Kabul recall terrible scenes in The Aeneid
By Sara Mansfield Taber Saturday, September 18, 2021
An Open Debate
Might Novak Djokovic, despite his loss this weekend, be the greatest tennis player of all time?
By Eric Wills Monday, September 13, 2021
Taking the Long View
Remembering the terror of a pleasant, late-summer morning
By Jonathan Liebson Saturday, September 11, 2021
For Every Season, a Classic Holiday Movie
Three films fit for fall
By David Lehman Saturday, August 28, 2021
