Books & Literary Life

Literary criticism, author interviews, and book culture from within and beyond Harvard.

Three climbers seated on a snowy summit, surrounded by clouds, appearing contemplative.

These Harvard Mountaineers Braved Denali’s Wall of Ice

John Graham’s Denali Diary documents a dangerous and historic climb.

by Lydialyle Gibson

Here lies an eager patriot.

“Love Story” locale, and other passionate pursuits

Love Story locale, and other passionate pursuits

“Cold Storage” documentary looks inside the libraries' Harvard Depository

A new documentary explores the three million feet of shelving at the Harvard Depository.

by Stephanie Garlock

Amy Poehler with members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals during a parade through Harvard Square

Amy Poehler is Harvard's Woman of the Year

Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals celebrate the actress and writer.

by Laura Levis

Joan Kane on King Island

To poet Joan Naviyuk Kane ’00, abandoned King Island is a potent creative source

For Joan Naviyuk Kane ’00, an abandoned island is a potent creative source.

by Melanie Wang

Crisis of American neoliberal capitalism

A critique of the neoliberal economy

Amy Wilentz

"Farewell, Fred Voodoo" by Amy Wilentz continues her long coverage of Haiti

Amy Wilentz on her “touchstone and central obsession”

by Craig Lambert

America’s (and Harvard’s) first Chinese-language teacher, Ge Kunhua, circa 1880

Recent books with Harvard connections

Recent books with Harvard connections

Shakespeare, as rendered in an eighteenth-century engraving

Neil Rudenstine reinterprets Shakespeare's sonnets

Neil Rudenstine guides readers through Shakespeare’s lyric masterpiece.

by Spencer Lee Lenfield

A correspondence corner for not-so-famous lost words

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

Harvard Magazine honors Adam Kirsch, others

Writers and artists who made special contributions to the magazine in 2014