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To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Drew Gilpin Faust's latest book, This Republic of Suffering, explores one of the most sobering aspects of the Civil War: its colossal death toll.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Ever wonder why certain foods fall out of favor? In his book “The Gluten Lie” Alan Levinovitz argues that food has become akin to a modern religion for a lot of us, complete with its own set of rules, prohibitions and guiding beliefs.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Ariel Levy tells Anne Strainchamps we are living in a Feminist’s nightmare.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Anne here. My conversation with Turkish writer Elif Şafak back in April still sticks with me as the year comes to a close. In many parts of the world, 2016 was the year of the populist leader—especially in Turkey, where Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a crackdown on free speech and all forms of opposition. 120 journalists have been jailed, more than 2,000 academics have been dismissed from universities, and more than 100,000 public workers have been fired. How did Turkey—once a model of new democratic nations—become such a different place? Not only did Şafak see this coming, she warned that the West should not consider itself immune. 

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Writer Barbara Fischer tells us the story of how starting a garden saved her life.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgaard recommends a chilling read:  "The Flame Alphabet" by Ben Marcus.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Danny Wallace is the author of “Join Me.”  He’s also the leader of a cult of the same name.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

David Rieff has written a sobering account of his mother's last days. It's called "Swimming in a Sea of Death," and tells how he tried to do the right thing by his mother - Susan Sontag - while also being true to himself.

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