And what do we mean by “intelligence,” anyway? If there were, how would they get here, and why would they want to? We talk to astrophysicist Paul Davies about his lifelong exploration of these questions.
Jason Rezaian and his wife were taken from their home at gunpoint and accused of a bizarre list of crimes. Rezaian writes about his harrowing imprisonment–and the team effort it took to secure his release.
An eight-year-old girl died at the hands of her own mother. Could this have been prevented by better oversight and intervention? Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney‘s new book is about how many children’s lives could be saved and improved.
Jamie Bernstein‘s new memoir offers a fascinating glimpse into Leonard Bernstein’s creative life, his family life, and the hard-drinking, chain-smoking, exuberance of New York during one of its most creative eras.
The asymmetries between the Democratic and Republican parties are many these days–in the media, in their infrastructures, and in the way they seek and use power. Author Caroline Fredrickson tells us about the flaws in our current system, and how we can restore our democracy.
Until recently, mental health practitioners didn’t diagnose children with PTSD–they were thought to be “resilient,” and as a result generations didn’t receive the treatment they needed. Dr. Bruce Perry is one of the physicians responsible for challenging—and changing—that paradigm.
Timothy P. McLaughlin’s new book Seeds Under the Tongue is a compilation of poems, some of them inspired by a brush with death in a canyon that the author transformed into a ceremonial experience. McLaughlin’s work combines well-honed craft, inspiration and a profound connection to wild nature.
While Steve Young was writing comedy for the David Letterman show, he started collecting weird vinyl records from corporate sales meetings–and found that they were full of incredible music from the weird about diesel and plumbing fixtures.
With lyrics “written by God”, the Battle Hymn of the republic has inspired American hearts and minds for generations. A ballad sung since the civil war by soldiers, slaves, and social justice activists alike, its history tells a story of our country. We talk to Harvard historian John Stauffer about his book, The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Around 1900, bubonic plague struck San Francisco and threatened to wipe out huge numbers of people. David K. Randall‘s new book, Black Death at the Golden Gate, tells the gripping story of the doctors who had both to fight the disease and convince the public of the threat.