The Rise and Fall of the Public Sandbox
A nineteenth-century experiment in children's play helped reshape American cities—and later fell out of favor.
The Meaning Behind Philippine Crucifixions
An anthropologist examines the sacred vows that inspire some Filipino Catholics to reenact Christ's Passion each Holy Week.
Six Stories with First-Person Narrators
Distinctive voices and unforgettable perspectives, by Danielle Evans, Jamil Jan Kochai, Catherine Niu, Thomas Bernhard, Christine Schutt, and Michael Deagler.
The Hidden Grief of American Musicals
Musicology professor Jake Johnson argues that beneath the bright songs and happy endings of midcentury musicals lay the grief and anxieties of postwar America.
Rudyard Kipling’s Buddhism
Long read as an imperial novel, Kim also reflects Britain's changing ideas about Buddhist thought and spiritual practice.
The Return of Florida’s Wild Flamingos
New sightings suggest a surprising ecological comeback—and a chance to reexamine the state's environmental past.
The Hidden Rules of Fine Dining
Research shows restaurant critics reward technique, creativity, and authenticity differently, shaping which cuisines earn prestige and higher prices.
Celebrating the Fourth of July
Take a moment to contemplate the history and complexity of Independence Day, American Style.
Rediscovering The Jewish Gazette
A rare archive reveals how Ireland’s Jewish community navigated identity, culture, and rising antisemitism in the 1930s.
How Indonesia’s Feminists Use the Internet
Online platforms help Muslim scholars and activists share feminist interpretations of Islam, expanding access to new audiences.