Books

President Ulysses S. Grant with First Lady Julia Dent Grant and son Jesse in 1872.

General Grant in Love and War

The officer who gained glory as a warrior in the Civil War also had a domestic side.

Let's Kiss.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Food and Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)

What is the term for a "euphoric sensation upon eating amazingly delicious food"

“Commune Gothic” Summer 1970

Brotherhood Spirit in Flesh Soup, or a Recipe Calling For Love

The counterculture has long been characterized by a single word: “love.” For some hippie communards, love was also a recipe ingredient

Charles McIlvaine, Pioneer of American Mycophagy

"I take no man's word for the qualities of a toadstool," said the man who took it upon himself to sample more than 600 species

Bedtime Reading From Beatrix Potter: Amateur Mycologist

Would Flopsy, Mopsy and Peter Cottontail have been conceived had it not been for the biases of Victorian era science?

The Marx Brothers in Horsefeathers

Super Bowl Guide to Football Films

The sport was fodder for slapstick comedy, but as the technology evolved, so did the way in which filmmakers portrayed the gridiron on the big screen

Saving the Whales (And Eating Them Too?)

What does whale meat taste like, and is it anything like jojoba oil, prosciutto or jellied crustaceans?

The 1507 Johann Ruysch map

The Allure of Nonexistent Places

Long-gone destinations have their own special appeal, don't you think?

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History Writers to Watch in 2012

A rundown of historians, authors and bloggers to follow in the coming year

Artist rendition of Charles Guiteau's attack on President Garfield

The Stalking of the President

Charles J. Guiteau said he wanted to kill President James A. Garfield "in an American manner."

Author Charles Dickens is best known for his memorable cast of characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge, David Copperfield and Oliver Twist, shown here.

The Essentials: Charles Dickens

What are the must-read books written by and about the famed British author?

Author Judy Blume recently received the John P. McGovern Award from the Smithsonian Associates for her contributions to the American family.

Q and A: Judy Blume

The children's book author speaks about her career and what it means to write a "banned book"

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Q and A with Cake Wrecks Blogger Jen Yates

"I'm not out to vilify bakers; I'm just trying to find a little funny in unexpected places"

Pitcairn Island provided the mutineers of the Bounty a haven from the world in the 18th century. Today, it offers much the same—along with a general store, a cafe and 50 permanent residents.

Seven Islands to Visit in 2012

Pitcairn Island is populated by 50 people, has a handful of hostels, a general store and a café and, frankly, could really use a few visitors

If you don't want to show an misformed Moon on a Christmas card, a full moon is a safe option

That Moon On Your Christmas Card

An astronomer finds that depictions of the Moon on Christmas cards, wrapping paper and books is often wrong

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Evolution, A Book That Turns Science Into Art

See examples of these beautiful photographs of animal skeletons in our image gallery

A game of chess on a fold-up travel board can break the ice between strangers in strange lands.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Adventure Traveler

A chess set, soccer ball, bear spray and other items, even dog food, make the list of gifts to give your favorite hardened traveler

Consider food—and food-themed gifts—this holiday season.

Last Minute Food-Themed Gift Ideas

Food, jewelry, toys and books for those hard-to-shop-for people on your gift list

Three great picture books from 2011

A Trio of Outstanding Picture Books

Three more books to add to the Best of Childrens Books 2011 list

Political cookbooks come from all sides of the spectrum.

The Edible Is Political: Cookbooks from Both Sides of the Aisle

The cookbook has been a campaign tool for the women's suffrage movement, John F. Kennedy and now Ron Paul

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