2019 Books of the Year
Great books tell stories. Here’s our pick of vivid and insightful new releases for better understanding America, world events, history, science, and theology
A look in the mirror
BOOKS SPECIAL REPORT | Books-how they're written and who writes them, the ideas they fight over, and the unpleasant implications they ignore-tell a lot about a culture
I'm a hearse watcher
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control recently released their 1999 mortality statistics. In Travis County, Texas (pop. 737,000)...
Education
Pledging a battle for the Pledge The federal court ruling that killed the Pledge of Allegiance in western U.S. classrooms spawned...
Health
Vaccine vindicated? There's no link between the popular vaccine MMR and autism or bowel disease, according to British experts. Th...
International
Unhappy campers The "temporary" UN agency set up 50 years ago to administer Palestinian refugee camps is asking UN members to don...
Voices
Mailbag
Right in line Like Marvin Olasky, I too became a Christian while pursuing a higher education ("Marriage month," June 8). I am married to a wonderful Christian man and we also have four chil...
Joel Belz
The spirit of Ann Landers
Esther Lederer, much better known as Ann Landers, died in Chicago last week. But make no mistake about it: Her spirit lives on. Make no mistake about this, either: The spirit of Ann Landers...
John Piper
Nothing to lose
Last month President Bush reflected on the national effect of 9/11. "We are a different nation today-sadder and stronger, less innocent and more courageous, more appreciative of life, and for many...
Marvin Olasky
Loose framing
The builder of my house once told me it was loosely framed, which I don't think was a good thing. My guess is that the person who designed the house and lived in it for several years changed her m...
Culture
Notable Books
Top Almanacs
FOCUS First published in 1868, it remains the best-selling almanac today by concentrating on what it does best, the most facts with the least adornment on topics ranging from Roman rulers to the b...
Movies & TV
Minority Report card
It's shaping up to be a good summer-at least at the movies. During a season of endless hype promoting an endless stream of mostly mindless movies, the most viewers can hope for are a few whose art...
Dispatches
Quick Takes
Quick Takes
Liberals vs. free speech Michigan's largest teachers union is suing a conservative group for quoting its president-accurately-in a fundraising letter. George Will calls this an example of l...
Quotables
Quotables
This is a sad, sad family.... The children are sad and the parents are sad and it's not entertainment. Actor Bill Cosby, former star of the family-friendly 1980s smash hit The Cosby Show, o...
In Brief
In Brief
Rite Aid, wrong tactics Rite Aid is digesting a bitter pill. The nation's third-largest drugstore chain is yet another high-flying corporation to face an accounting scandal. Fortune ...