Literature
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
February 08, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
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?
February 06, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
Super Bowl Guide to Football Films
The sport was initially fodder for slapstick comedy, but as the technology evolved, so did the way in which filmmakers portrayed the gridiron on the big screen
February 01, 2012 |
By Daniel Eagan
Going Mad for Charles Dickens
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
Revisiting The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Recently reissued, William L. Shirer's seminal 1960 history of Nazi Germany is still important reading
February 2012 |
By Ron Rosenbaum
Saving the Whales (And Eating Them Too?)
What does whale meat taste like, and is it anything like jojoba oil, prosciutto or jellied crustaceans?
January 27, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
The Allure of Nonexistent Places
Long-gone destinations have their own special appeal, don't you think?
January 24, 2012 |
By Susan Spano
History Writers to Watch in 2012
A rundown of historians, authors and bloggers to follow in the coming year
January 19, 2012 |
By Brian Wolly
The Stalking of the President
Charles J. Guiteau said he wanted to kill President James A. Garfield "in an American manner." He passed up several opportunities before he thought the time was right.
January 17, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
The Essentials: Charles Dickens
What are the must-read books written by and about the famed British author?
January 17, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Q and A: Judy Blume
The children's book author speaks about her career and what it means to write a "banned book"
January 2012 |
By Jeff Campagna
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"
December 23, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
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
December 22, 2011 |
By Alastair Bland
That Moon On Your Christmas Card
An astronomer finds that depictions of the Moon on Christmas cards, wrapping paper and books is often wrong
December 22, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Evolution, A Book That Turns Science Into Art
See examples of these beautiful photographs of animal skeletons in our image gallery
December 20, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Brain Pickings' Top 11 History Books of the Year
The editor behind the site that curates the best content on the web lists the most interesting history books of 2011
December 20, 2011 |
By Maria Popova
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
December 16, 2011 |
By Alastair Bland
Last Minute Food-Themed Gift Ideas
Food, jewelry, toys and books for those hard-to-shop-for people on your gift list
December 15, 2011 |
By Jesse Rhodes
A Trio of Outstanding Picture Books
Three more books to add to the Best of Childrens Books 2011 list
December 14, 2011 |
By Kathleen Burke
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
December 09, 2011 |
By Lisa Bramen
