The Remarkable Life of Jessie Benton Frémont
A century and a half ago, a pioneering woman redefined the role of the political spouse.
Book Excerpts
Gen-X Women Are Caught in a Generational Tug-of-War
The average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman, and the demands of caregiving seem likely to increase.
The Railroads That Created Christmas
Before Americans could have gift-giving on a massive scale, they needed a way to move all those goods around.
Why Singin’ in the Rain Is an Almost Perfect Musical
The 1952 film exemplifies the key elements of a beloved Hollywood genre.
In Syria, America Had No Good Options
When every policy choice was terrible, finding the least bad one became the only way forward.
Silicon Valley Is One of the Most Polluted Places in the Country
Microchip manufacturers contaminated the groundwater in the 1980s. Almost 40 years later, the cleanup still isn’t complete.
STEM Is Overrated
College is not just job prep, and the job market changes constantly.
You Can’t Keep Your Parents’ Skulls
Under U.S. law, it’s nearly impossible to get permission to decapitate and de-flesh a relative’s remains.
How I Became an ‘Accidental’ Professor
My love and respect for the craft of writing fuel my commitment to teaching it. But it was a long time before I could envision academia including someone like me.
The Paradox of Peanuts
Charles Schulz’s kid characters are precocious, cruel, and nihilistic. They’re also among the most compelling in children’s literature.