Fractured Odysseus
The psychiatrist Jonathan Shay’s books on Homer are the key to Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey
By Colin Dickey Thursday, August 20, 2026
Gratitude Isn’t Everything
The revolutionary Patriots owed much to their forefathers, but their fight for universal rights embraced a wider mission
By Robert A. Gross Friday, July 31, 2026
It All Comes Down to This
As the recent World Cup showed, the drama of a penalty shootout can at times be Shakespearean
By Eric Wills Thursday, July 30, 2026
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
A Matter of Pride
The enduring legacy of Gentleman’s Agreement
By David Lehman Monday, February 10, 2020
A Million Kindnesses
Honoring Jim Lehrer, beloved newsman and friend
By Robert Wilson Friday, January 24, 2020
Revolutionary Chaos
The first-ever English translation of a 20th-century Russian masterpiece
By Gary Saul Morson Friday, January 17, 2020
William Holden, Model Prisoner
How the actor defined the ideal, postwar man
By David Lehman Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Why Book Reviewing Isn’t Going Anywhere
A researcher explores the future of a changing practice
By Scott Nover Tuesday, January 14, 2020
The View From the End of the World
Wildfires, volcanoes, and the story of a mythical tree
By Walter Nicklin Friday, January 10, 2020
Preserving the Wild
What’s next for America’s largest national forest?
By James Conaway Thursday, January 2, 2020
A Holiday Reading Roundup
Seven books published by the Scholar’s contributors in 2019
By Our Editors Monday, December 16, 2019
Soundtrack of a Revolution
Seeing and hearing a protest explode on the streets of Santiago
