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The Science of Good Cooking: Tips From America’s Test Kitchen

The newest book from Christopher Kimball and company pairs good food with good science

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The Return of the Hand-Painted Sign

Hand-painted signs are making a comeback, but are they the work of artists or “mechanics”?

Beetles Invasion: One Artist’s Take on the Insect

A swarm of giant beetles, lovingly sculpted by Washington D.C.-based artist Joan Danziger, descends on the American University Museum

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Incredible Political Fashion Statements From Past Elections

Forget buttons and T-shirts. Check out these mini dresses, bell bottoms and digital watches from old campaign trails

Pan de muerto

Food During Times of Grief

In a funereal setting, food often servers a number of symbolic functions

Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat

The History of Cooking and Other New Books, Reviewed

Why should we consider the fork? And a new biography of the ill-fated George Armstrong Custer

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Spotlight

According to oral tradition, the Mayflower Pilgrims landed near Plymouth Rock in 1620—but first-person accounts of their arrival make no mention of it.

Did the Pilgrims Really Land on Plymouth Rock and More Questisons From our Readers

Where do hurricanes start, the Big Bang, sea gulls and other answers from the Smithsonian’s experts

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Listen to the Elizabeth Mitchell Experience

Listen to the Elizabeth Mitchell Experience

Langston Hughes is one of the many poets featured in the National Portrait Gallery's "Poetic Likeness" exhibition.

Who Are the Geniuses Behind Your Favorite Poems?

A new exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery unmasks the titans of modern American poetry

Lewis Lapham, the legendary former editor of Harper's, who, beginning in the 1970s, helped change the face of American nonfiction, has a new mission: taking on the Great Paradox of the digital age.

Lewis Lapham’s Antidote to the Age of BuzzFeed

With his erudite Quarterly, the legendary Harper’s editor aims for an antidote to digital-age ignorance

As the goddess of love, beauty and sexual pleasure, Aphrodite inspired cult worship and challenged artists to render her in suitably magnificent form.

Bringing the Color Back to Ancient Greece

The white marble statutes we revere were originally dressed in eye-popping pigments

For author Camille Paglia, her first moments of beauty occurred in a church and a movie theater.

Why Camille Paglia is Alarmed About the Future of Art

Is the rise of secularism behind the general malaise in the fine arts?

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What Does it Mean to be Seriously Amazing?

The Smithsonian’s secretary introduces the Institution’s new campaign to highlight its best and most innovative work

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Discussion

Discussion

Black-headed Spider Monkey (Ateles fusciceps)

Alan Dudley’s Wondrous Array of Animal Skulls

A new book delivers fascinating photographs of over 300 skulls from the British taxidermist’s personal collection—the largest in the world

Red state, blue state; no matter what the regional specialty, this is candy country.

Candy Land: A Coast-to-Coast Tour of America’s Sweet Treats

A Twix is nice, but these local candies and treats provide some much-needed variety this Halloween season

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Why Does Dracula Wear a Tuxedo? The Origins of Bram Stoker’s Timeless Vampire

The evolution of Dracula, from the mind of a sickly youth to an iconic portrayal on the silver screen

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The Halloween Tradition Best Left Dead: Kale as Matchmaker

Be happy this Scottish tradition is passé, your future marriage may have depended on it

Pumpkinhead and cat(?), date unknown

12 Creepy Kids in Halloween Masks

When their faces are obscured, these children transform into frightening little creatures

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