The Whimsy and Heartbreak of America’s Garage Sales
For $100, I bought bric-a-brac that explains a nation.
Features
The Boeing 747 Begins Its Final Descent
The jet was perhaps the pinnacle of American engineering excellence. Its retirement signals an end to an era of American culture—and ambition.
How Britain Became as Poor as Mississippi
A case study in self-sabotage
Being Black in Pete Hegseth’s Military
The secretary of defense is sending the message that Black service members are not welcome.
The Americans Shelling Out Five Figures for a Coat of Arms
A nation founded on the rejection of aristocratic traditions still yearns for them.
How America Gave Up on Its Own History
Unable to agree on how to interpret the American story, the country’s schools, universities, and political institutions have stopped trying to tell it at all.
The Absurd World Cup
FIFA’s president calls football a great unifier, but is it a match for the chaos of 2026?
The Night My Marriage Fell Apart
In the span of about 20 minutes, I lost my wife, my best friend, and my grip on life. Finding it again took a lot longer.
The Richest Cat in the World
Did Karl Lagerfeld really leave millions to his blue-cream Birman, Choupette?
The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet
A virulent form of misogyny has become the single most important force holding together the American right.