The Essentials: Charles Dickens
What are the must-read books written by and about the famed British author?
January 17, 2012
| By Megan Gambino
Biographer Claire Tomalin's literary sleuthing revealed the untold story of the famed author's "invisible woman"
February 2012
| By Joshua Hammer
Two centuries after his birth, the novelist is still wildly popular, as a theme park, a new movie and countless festivals attest
February 2012
| By Joshua Hammer
The Scottish baritone saxophone musician recalls his 60-year career and the famous singers he’s accompanied
October 13, 2011
| By Jeff Greenwald
Great written works from authors such as Shakespeare and Jane Austen that you'll never have a chance to read
September 20, 2011
| By Megan Gambino
John Howard Griffin gave readers an unflinching view of the Jim Crow South. How has his book held up?
October 2011
| By Bruce Watson
In his new book, music historian Don Cusic recounts the enduring icons of western music and their indelible mark on pop culture
September 08, 2011
| By Katy June-Friesen
It took an Oscar-winning director to make sense of the drug-addled footage shot by the enigmatic author and his Merry Pranksters
August 05, 2011
| By Daniel Eagan
In the mountains of upstate New York, the ’60s bandleader plays host to musicians old and young with sets that play far into the night
July 19, 2011
| By Anne Miller
A new book explores how the author of the beloved children’s book was inspired by his love for nature and animals
June 03, 2011
| By Chloe Schama
In honor of the folk singer’s 70th birthday, we have selected 10 of the many pivotal events that have shaped his tumultuous life
May 20, 2011
| By Jim Morrison
The rock guitarist talks about his custom-made Frankenstein 2 that is now in the collections of the American History museum
June 2011
| By Beth Py-Lieberman
With the imminent re-opening of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, we look back on some of the most memorable failures in musical theater history
May 11, 2011
| By Jesse Rhodes
Even in the age of the Kindle and the Nook, the library on wheels can still attract an audience
February 23, 2011
| By Jeff Greenwald
Songwriters Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble composed tunes with political messages for chart-toppers like the O’Jays and Billy Paul
February 18, 2011
| By Jim Morrison
Two comic book veterans—who authored the graphic adaptation of the 9/11 Report—train their talents on the young diarist
January 25, 2011
| By Jamie Katz
Novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux examines other authors' autobiographies to prove why this piece will suffice for his
January 2011
| By Paul Theroux
Fiction was stranger than truth in these examples of authentic autobiographies that were anything but that
December 20, 2010
| By Lyn Garrity
In our annual tradition, we present some of the best that children's literature has to offer this year
December 16, 2010
| By Kathleen Burke
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AT THE SMITHSONIAN
Scenes and Sightings from the Museums
- Around the Mall
- Visitor's Guide
Weekend Events Feb 10-12: Mourning, The Power of Chocolate Festival, and the Emerson String Quartet
This weekend, go to the Iranian Film Festival, taste and learn why chocolate was called the "food of the gods" by the Aztecs and Mayans, and enjoy a p...
By Aviva Shen
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll...
By Aviva Shen
Events Feb 7-9: Water Matters, Multiplicity, and Touki Bouki
This week, learn why water matters, take a guided tour of the American Art Museum's exhibition, Multiplicity, and enjoy a free film at the African Art...
By Aviva Shen










