Cover Story
The Art of Losing
The end of the war in Afghanistan shows the danger of our commitment to perpetual optimism
by Elizabeth D. Samet
Articles
Portrait of a Marriage in Six Homes
The places that sheltered my life with Shirley
by Witold Rybczynski
Never Take Hope From the Patient
Sometimes the best treatment includes a healthy dose of optimism, even when it’s not warranted
by Patrick Tripp
From Murderpan to Mattapan
A writer’s traumatic experiences lead him to travel in time to the places where he was hurt
by Quentin Lucas
Why So Many Kids Struggle to Learn
Teachers continue to be trained in ways that ignore the findings of cognitive science
by Natalie Wexler
Departments
Editor's Note
Letter From …
Tuning Up
Strange Bedfellows
Works in Progress
Fiction
Commonplace Book
Book Reviews
Mightier Than the Sword
A celebrated cartoonist looks back on his singular life and career
