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
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
Sirte and Misrata, Libya’s Last Battle
A journalist remembers her days in Libya with James Foley
By Clare Morgana Gillis Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Man of Faith—and Doubt
Hugh Nissenson should have been better known for his spare historical novels
By Diane Cole Thursday, January 2, 2014
Happy Birthday, Stranger
Celebrating Albert Camus on his centennial
By Jerry Delaney Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Ultimate Burden
Is it even possible for universities to do what the Supreme Court asks?
