2023-09-19
The Mother Church
A love letter to the Ryman Auditorium—its history, improbable survival, and the artists who keep its pews humming.
History
2023-09-11
The Towers Fell
Reflecting on the attacks, the allure of conspiracy theories, and the duty to guard the truth.
2022-01-27
The Roman Republic
Reading Mike Duncan's history of the late Roman Republic and jotting down the parallels, missteps, and cautionary tales.
2020-09-18
The Jefferson Bible
Reflecting on Jefferson's razor-cut gospel and the questions it raises about faith, privacy, and study.
2019-01-20
FDR Inaugural Address
Franklin Roosevelt’s first inaugural address, introduced with a reminder of why its courage still matters.
2017-02-06
Long Con
Fischer versus Spassky and the long-game lessons that follow.
2016-11-17
Federalist Paper Number 68
Why Hamilton’s defense of the Electoral College still matters—and how it shaped a turbulent election season.
2016-04-17
Kennedy Inaugural Address
The ask now speech. We lived in a different age then. Words do matter.
2014-01-18
The Titan
A look at Eric Schlosser's Command and Control, the Damascus accident, and the people who guarded America's largest ICBM.
2013-03-02
The Olive Wars
A reader's manifesto on the scams, history, and hard-won lessons inside the global olive oil trade.
