Book Excerpts

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New York City street signs that mention different languages: Nahuatl, Yiddish, Seke, Lenape, Wakhi — Illustration by Ben Denzer

The Last, Improbable Refuge for the World’s Endangered Languages

Deep linguistic diversity is among the least explored but possibly most consequential factors in New York City's history and makeup.

February 26, 2024

The back of a person's ankles as they walk away from the camera, wearing black heels with white stripes. — Millennium Images / Gallery Stock

Anita’s Secrets

A short story

Xochitl Gonzalez

February 13, 2024

An antique-style chart of moon phases, set on a light-blue background — Photo-illustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani. Source: Getty.

Civilization Owes Its Existence to the Moon

Our silver satellite inspired religion, gave rise to science, and made us human.

January 3, 2024

photo of a woman on the bus from outside the window — Ira Grünberger / Connected Archives

Bus Rides Feel Different When You’re a New Mother

Taking public transport with my baby was an act of faith—and, ultimately, joy.

December 12, 2023

photo-illustration of white cross atop white wooden church steeple with U.S. flag flying from it against blue sky — Pablo Delcan

My Father, My Faith, and Donald Trump

Here, in our house of worship, people were taunting me about politics as I tried to mourn.

November 28, 2023

a ufo floating across space leaving dirty clouds behind — Photo-illustration by Jared Bartman / The Atlantic. Source: Getty.

Humans Are Ready to Find Alien Life

We finally have the tools we need. Now scientists just need to watch and wait.

October 21, 2023

photo-illustration with archival photos of a woman's eyes and a New Orleans street scene — Photo-illustration by Oliver Munday. Sources: GHI Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty; Bettmann / Getty.

She Who Remembers

A short story

October 16, 2023

A newborn baby being held up in water — Photograph by Maggie Shannon

The Greatest Invention in the History of Humanity

The very reason we’ve managed to succeed as a species is gynecology.

October 3, 2023

Black-and-white photo of Martin Baron standing in Washington Post newsroom near working reporters, desks, and screens — Franco Pagetti / VII / Redux

How We Got ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness’

And other stories from eight years running The Washington Post

September 26, 2023

A photograph of Mitt Romney in his senate office. — Yael Malka

What Mitt Romney Saw in the Senate

In an exclusive excerpt from my biography of the senator, Romney: A Reckoning, he reveals what drove him to retire.

September 13, 2023