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 Great Storm in Utah

From his collections of essay published in 1819, JOHN MUIR recounts 'A Storm in Utah,' and proves himself as insightful about the 'salt Latter Days' as he is poetic about the forces of nature.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Tippi Hedren: Birds, Big Cats And Hitchcock

Actress TIPPI HEDREN had, at least, a complicated relationship with ALFRED HITCHCOCK, and for a few decades now has had a complicated relationship with big cats. A revealing interview by Duncan Strauss.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Mozart’s ‘Requiem’

'Requiem,' Mozart's final masterpiece, was written in late 1791, while the composer lay dying. In 1893 George P. Upton published this detailed account of the composition's creation.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Trump Gives Finger to Native Americans

Chief Red Cloud, late 1800s: 'They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one: they promised to take our land, and they took it.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Music to Entrance, Uplift and Break Your Heart

Manchester, England's THE BREATH features guitarist STUART MCCALLUM and vocalist RIOGHNACH CONNOLLY delving deeply into the spaces between rock, ambient and Irish folk
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Secret Project

How do you explain the atomic bomb to children? JULES says a new book, THE SECRET PROJECT, by JONAH WINTER and JEANETTE WINTER, is 'a compelling introduction to this topic.' The first review is here.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The ‘Circular Music’ of Pellingmans’ Saraband

On its new album, TWENTY WAIES UPON THE BELS, PELLINGMANS' SARABAND explores 'circular music' from the 16th and 17th centuries, including a tune with verses written by imprisoned Anne Boylen.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Sniffing Out Revelations About the Canine Sense of Smell

After reading ALEXANDRA HOROWITZ’s 'Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell,' it turns out that many of us may have severely underestimated just how much that nose knows. DUNCAN STRAUSS investigates.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Greatest Gift

A solo acoustic guitar masterpiece, DAVID WOOD's A CHRISTMAS GIFT captures the true spirit of the season as few Yuletide efforts ever have. Originally recorded for family and friends, it's a gift to the world now..
by David McGee
 

 

 

From Advent to Epiphany

Classical editor ROBERT HUGILL rounds up the best in Classical Christmas albums for 2016.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘I WONDER AS I WANDER’

STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS: JOHN JACOB NILES's own account of writing 'I Wonder As I Wander,' plus an online discussion of the meaning of 'on'ry' in the first verse.
by David McGee