The Floating World

Can the Japanese today really look to Mother Nature to find out who they are? A visit to Hawaii spurs writer TOKUTA WONGSE-ONT to reflect on the lost 'floating world' that once was the Land of the Rising Sun.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The O’Hara Sisters’ ‘Dark Fairy Tale’ by Jules

Featuring HORTENSE AND THE SHADOW, 'a dark fairy tale' by NATALIE and LAUREN O'HARA, a writer-and-illustrator sister team with a new book inspired by stories told on snowy nights by their Polish grandmother.
by David McGee
 

 

 

NASA’s Fermi Discovers the Most Extreme Blazars Yet

NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has identified the farthest gamma-ray blazars, a type of galaxy whose intense emissions are powered by supersized black holes.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Day With Robert Schumann

IN this month's PLEASURES OF MUSIC, an 1884 report by May Byron on A DAY WITH ROBERT SCHUMANN. In this account, the author chronicles a day spent with the arch-Romantic composer, which includes some vivid scenes with Schumann's...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Why Standing Rock Matters

In this measured but impassioned essay, LIZ PEREZ HALPERIN, Native American and Navy Veteran, explains the issues surrounding the Standing Rock resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Must reading.
by David McGee
 

 
 

NASA’S Hubble Provides First Census of Galaxies Near Cosmic Dawn

DISTANT WORLDS--Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have uncovered a previously unseen population of seven primitive galaxies that formed more than 13 billion years ago.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Day With Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Ever wonder what it would have been like to spend a day with, say, Felix Mendelssoh? Especially a day when Robert Schumann shows up? George Sampson did just that, and set down the experience for posterity.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Feeling Nature’s Rhythms, Mystery and Spiritual Beauty

So Scottish composer/pianist ALEXANDER CHAPMAN CAMPBELL went for a long walk through Norway and lo! A beautiful album materialized...
by David McGee
 

 

 
christian robinson

A Late-Night Breakfast with Christian Robinson

Get out the veggies, eggs, and coffee mugs. Illustrator Christian Robinson is visiting for a late-night breakfast. (Why not? Breakfast for dinner! I say.) Given that he’s a vegetarian-though he admits he kinda misses his ...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Animated Christmas Evergreens

A selection of vintage animated Christmas cartoons, from the 1930s to the 1990s, including the rare 'A Snow Man in July,' produced by the Nazi regime and seized by the U.S. during WWII.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Half-Century+ of Classic Animated ‘Rudolph’

On Dec. 6, 1964 NBC premiered an animated version of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER with BURL IVES as host. It drew a 50 share and was an instant holiday classic. From a 50 share to 50+ years as a holiday staple, we pay tribute...
by David McGee
 

 
 

After 30 ‘Bizarro’ Years, Dan Piraro Is Going…Somewhere Else…Maybe…Who Knows?

After 30 years, DAN PIRARO is retiring his popular syndicated comic 'Bizarro,' which has often reflected his interest in animal rights. DUNCAN STRAUSS gets the lowdown on what's next--and when.
by David McGee