Identity, Revised
“Recreational” DNA tests can have profound impacts.
Impatient Hope
“Anything was possible, because no one knew.”
Rush on the Mind
A focus on mental illness was a constant throughout the multi-faceted career of Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, prolific writer, longtime Penn faculty member, and the most prominent—and controversial—physician of his day.
When William James Got Hungry
In an excerpt from his new autobiography, Penn psychology professor Martin Seligman tells the little-known story of the American Psychological Association’s annual meeting in 1904, held at Penn. Its reverberations were profound—for Penn psychology professor Edwin Twitmyer and for American psychology.
The Prehuman History of Cocktail Hour
Don't match drinks with the Malaysian pen-tailed tree shrew.
Democracy for Sale
Voter fraud vs. incentives, from Berry’s Five Dollars and a Pork Chop Sandwich.
A Brief History of Sitting Down
Take a chair.
Behind Monkey Bars
Today’s playgrounds are no fun.
On the Road to Nothing
How Warren Gefter M’74 inspired his daughter to write about nothing.
Betting on Vegas
Oscar Goodman L’64 and the Mob (Museum).
Is That All There Is?
On the road with Zach and Buzz, Peggy Lee on the car stereo, and the meaning of life. An excerpt from Father’s Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son.
The Wounded Wore Aftershave
One day in a doctor’s life at the 399th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq.
Phantom Privacy
We’ve lost control of our online data, and the consequences may be worse than you think.
Steeped in Tea
Professor of Chinese Language and Literature Victor Mair spent years immersing himself in tea lore. His new book gives a fresh infusion of history to a venerable subject.
Negotiating Istanbul
Istanbul to West Philadelphia.
“Now You See”
An accidental family.
Sunrise in Philadelphia
On a crisp September day, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered to sign the document they’d hammered out over the long, hot summer of 1787, flaws and all. An excerpt from Plain, Honest Men by History Professor Richard Beeman. Plus: An interview with the author.
When Harry Met Trooper Stampler
Pull over. Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure
On the Road with the Father of History and Lies
Justin Marozzi G’95 on The Way of Herodotus
City of Dreamers
Nathaniel Popkin C’91 GCP’95
Living the Lesson
Taking his first live snap in the NFL, a rookie field-goal kicker—who also happens to be a 43-year-old sportswriter—learns about pressure.
Keeping Faith
Bloodied but unbowed by his stint as George W. Bush’s first “faith czar,” alumnus and political science professor John. J. DiIulio is more convinced than ever of America’s faith-based future—and he has a new book that tells why.
Never Been There, Never Done That
Husband (check). Kids (check). Now where’s my life of adventure?
Channeling the Schuylkill
“That’s the thing about this river: You have to imagine it to see.”