When history, myth, and memory clash
An interview with John Garrison Marks on understanding George Washington’s legacy of slavery.
All posts filed under: The Times We Live In
Addressing the challenges of our polarized times
A Saturday grab bag: The Summer Solstice edition
Links to stories from a few writers I follow who have important things to say. With musical interludes.
Possibility and promise have long been contested
Ed Ayers looks at American history to find contested visions, but also hope for our future.
Standing in a present that had once been an unimaginable future
Solnit on how the next era comes after the end of the last one. In between comes a lot of falling apart.
Our country has a lot of problems. Napping isn’t one of them.
Not so random thoughts on naps, billionaires, and corruption.
Declaring our independence
How a declaration in 1776 became the genre-defining document that changed the world.
Courage
An uneven yet ultimately useful look at how we learn to be brave by Bishop Mariann Budde.
A revolt against the future
Past work on MTC documents how the Supreme Court continues its revolt against the future.
Mother’s Day lessons from Mom
Mom passed away on New Year’s Day in 1998, but her example still provides a helping hand today.
A classic that speaks to our times
A classic Hungarian novel of the early twentieth century provided an unexpected pleasure in May of 2026.
MORE TO COME... 