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 Brontë Fragment
A short poem written in Charlotte’s hand goes up for auction. What would it feel like just to hold it?
By Miranda K. Pennington Thursday, April 4, 2013
Anthony Lewis and the March to Equality
In his writing, he explained an activist Supreme Court to the nation
By Lincoln Caplan Monday, March 25, 2013
Crossing into Syria
A reporter describes her visit under fire to rebel-held villages near the symbolic homeland of President Bashar al-Assad
By Clare Morgana Gillis Thursday, January 24, 2013
What Columbus Day Really Means
If you think the holiday pits Native Americans against Italian Americans, consider the history behind its origin
By William J. Connell Thursday, October 4, 2012
The Voice of a Nation
Mahmoud Darwish’s poetry was most eloquent when performed before an audience
By David J. Wasserstein Monday, August 27, 2012
Q&A With Ralph Lombreglia
Ralph Lombreglia answers questions about his short story “Unrippable”
By Vanessa Schipani Monday, October 19, 2009
“You’re Going to Live a Long Life”
A cancer survivor and writer says the “cancer community” lacks a cohesive political movement
By Matthew Dallek Monday, June 15, 2009
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Joyce
In honor of the 136th birthday of James Joyce, read this literary travelogue through Bloomsday and beyond
