The Real-Life Story Behind Number the Stars
An interview with Lois Lowry reveals that the popular children's novel Number the Stars was based on a true story of resistance to the Nazis.
The Bird-Catching Pisonia Trees
Found mainly on Caribbean islands, Pisonia trees resemble any typical large, tropical tree. Typical, that is, until you notice the bones.
Louis XIV, Napoleon, and Macron: The Choreography of Portraits
Official portraits have been a means of communicating intention and creating image throughout history. Consider three of France's iconic leaders.
What Does Jesus Christ Superstar Have to Do With the Show Transparent ?
Jesus Christ Superstar is a global phenomenon, and with Transparent’s recent use of and even reboot of the rock opera, its fanbase is sure to keep growing.
Jane Addams’s Crusade Against Victorian “Dancing Girls”
Jane Addams, a leading Victorian-era reformer, believed dance halls were “one of the great pitfalls of the city.”
Microbes Might Paint Your Next Party Dress
The official “fashion month,” September has concluded its parade of gorgeous outfits. These contain harmful dyes, though. Can microbes make safer colors?
Summoning 17th-Century Scholars: Researching The Weight of Ink
Author Rachel Kadish tells us about how she used JSTOR to research her fascinating, complex new novel, The Weight of Ink.
The Lasting Power of Janet Jackson’s “Got ‘Til It’s Gone”
Twenty years ago, Janet Jackson released her single "Got ‘Til it’s Gone." Today, we celebrate the layered artistry that led to the video's timeless appeal.
Frederick Wiseman’s Reality Fictions
Frederick Wiseman's 42nd documentary in 50 years of film-making has just been released. What's he making movies about, anyway?
An Artist of the Floating World: Two Interviews with Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro, an English novelist, won the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature. His work deals with topics like national identity, memory, and trauma.