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Three book covers displayed on a light background, featuring titles and authors.

Must-Read Harvard Books Winter 2025

From aphorisms to art heists to democracy’s necessary conditions 

by Gabriella Gage

Chapter & Verse

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

The Altamira oriole, a Texas resident, is America’s largest oriole.

Off the Shelf

Recent books with Harvard connections

<em>The City Square,</em> 1937, a scene design by Natalia Goncharova for <em>Le Coq d’Or</em>

Diaghilev and His Geniuses

The Harvard Theatre Collection opens an exhibition and hosts a symposium on Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes.

by Craig Lambert

In Yup’ik lore, the crane—depicted in the mask above—connotes stealth, power, and insight. The human face on the bird’s belly represents its <em>yua,</em> or spirit—the part of the animal that understands, and can relate to, humans. The porcelain “teeth” that border the face are a reminder to use one’s innate gifts to good effect, or risk being consumed by them. The porcelain “bones” hanging from the wings ward off evil spirits; wooden rings represent this world and the spirit world.

Mnemonic Masks

Inspired by his Yup’ik heritage, Phillip Charette educates through his art.

by Elizabeth Gudrais

Chapter & Verse

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

Yucky Pollution, Shiny Pretty, 2001, Hilltop Children’s Center, Seattle. From <em>Can Poetry Save the Earth?</em>

Off the Shelf

Recent books with Harvard connections

A still from Olch’s film shows Richard Rogers at his editing console, watching footage of his mother

The Windmill Movie

Filmmaker Alexander Olch has made an biographical documentary based on footage left behind by his mentor, Richard Rogers.

by Craig Lambert

Pete Seeger, shown singing in an undated photo, traveled light, always ready to make music.

The Bible and the Almanac

How Pete Seeger got his start: an excerpt from Alec Wilkinson's new biography, The Protest Singer

John Adams at the New College Theatre, November 17, 2008

Music, Taken Personally

A music critic reviews composer John Adams’s memoir.

Celebrated chef Ferran Adrià mingles cooking and science at elBulli, his restaurant near Barcelona.

The Harvard Center for Gastrophysics?

Harvard science labs and master chef Ferran Adrià confect a mutually beneficial partnership.

by Elizabeth Gudrais