Montage

Black and white photo of a large mushroom cloud rising above the horizon.

Open Book: A New Nuclear Age

Harvard historian Serhii Plokhy’s latest book looks at the rising danger of a new arms race.

Excerpt from Tony Hiss, "In Motion: The Experience of Travel"

"In Motion: The Experience of Travel," by Tony Hiss, makes the case for mindful attention to one's environs—even the most ordinary.

Four New York firefighters with John Weidman and <i>Sesame Street</i> character Elmo in 2001.

Storytelling with Sondheim: a profile of librettist John Weidman

Librettist John Weidman writes books for the best.

by Jesse Kornbluth

Quotation Q&A

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

In <i>Black Swan</i>, Natalie Portman's character dances the role of the Swan Queen and her dark rival in <i>Swan Lake</i>. Here, Portman as the White Swan.

The film "Black Swan" has Harvard creators behind it

A tense thriller, with ballerinas

by Craig Lambert

In the Sôcôla kitchen, sisters Wendy (left) and Susan Lieu dip a few dozen chocolate truffles laid out on baking parchment.

Entrepreneurs Susan Lieu and Wendy Lieu founded gourmet Sôcôla Chocolatier

Two San Francisco sisters add Asian and other original flavors to their gourmet confectionery.

Quotation Q & A

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

National Lampoon demolished icons of both the Left and Right. Here, a cream pie to Che Guevara’s face on a 1972 cover.

Review of "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" by Rick Meyerowitz

Rick Meyerowitz’s Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead is a compendium of the best pieces from the National Lampoon.

by Craig Lambert

A texting break, in Shanghai. Layers of tradition and modernity make it rewarding—and essential—to learn about China through its languages.

Recent books with Harvard connections

Recent books with Harvard connections

“I like people to stand on tiptoe when they read my work,” says Bernard. “Not that it’s difficult to understand—but I’m trying to articulate complex ideas and feelings.”

Profile of poet April Bernard

Romanticism, a new collection by poet April Bernard, mixes disillusionment with emotion and playfulness.

by David Scribner

The young Emily Dickinson, in a daguerreotype made in late 1846 or early 1847

Excerpt from Helen Vendler, "Dickinson: Selected Poems and Commentaries"

In a new critical work, Helen Vendler assesses one of Emily Dickinson’s deceptively simple early poems.