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
On Book
August Wilson’s play just hit the big screen, but even greater rewards await on the page
By David A. Taylor Monday, November 25, 2024
The Baritone as Democrat
How Lawrence Tibbett prophesied the Metropolitan Opera crisis of today
By Joseph Horowitz Thursday, November 21, 2024
Writer on Board
The cruise story from Twain to Shteyngart
By Thomas Swick Thursday, September 5, 2024
Nights at the Opera
Long before he wrote his masterly novels, Stendhal was transformed by the power of music
By Robert Zaretsky Thursday, August 15, 2024
A Terrifying Delight
Following Robert Frost into the depths
By Mark Edmundson Thursday, June 27, 2024
Consummated in Exile
A new recording of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances conveys the breadth of the 20th-century composer’s life’s journey
By Joseph Horowitz Friday, June 14, 2024
Stereotypes and the City
What to make of HBO’s attempts to diversify an iconic show?
By Sharon Sochil Washington Thursday, April 25, 2024
Ripeness Is All
What may be the fate of classical music’s new superstars?



















