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
Working “Up North”
Drawn to the Canadian backcountry while measuring Earth’s magnetic field
By Josef Eisinger Thursday, July 22, 2021
Fedora, Trench Coat, Cigarette, and Gun
Humphrey Bogart’s legacy as an unconventional heartthrob
By David Lehman Saturday, July 17, 2021
When History Rhymes
The Nikole Hannah-Jones controversy calls to mind an earlier racially motivated effort to stifle free speech at the University of North Carolina
By Sally Greene Thursday, July 8, 2021
“Bound to Respect”
How Black and white reformers transformed the meaning of the Dred Scott decision’s most infamous line
By Jonathan W. White Saturday, July 3, 2021
Night Train to Riga
Two stories of love, heartbreak, and escape
By David Stromberg Thursday, June 17, 2021
The First Lady of Noir
Celebrated actress Ida Lupino directed The Bigamist and other taboo-busting films
By David Lehman Saturday, May 22, 2021
Caught Between Worlds
Minari, Nomadland, and reflections on Asian-American identity
By Jean Kim Thursday, April 22, 2021
Blind Accidents
How John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle brilliantly epitomizes the caper film
By David Lehman Saturday, April 17, 2021
Ramona the Pest, Cleary the Friend
Remembering the prolific children’s author
By Jayne Ross Monday, March 29, 2021
