Lived History

Who Is Jack O’Dell?

Who Is Jack O’Dell? Who Is Jack O’Dell?

The career of Hunter Pitts O’Dell is a crucial episode in the hidden history of American radicalism. 

Aug 11, 2014 / Books & the Arts / D.D. Guttenplan

Remembering the Folly of ‘Blank-Check’ War and ‘Escalation Unlimited’

Remembering the Folly of ‘Blank-Check’ War and ‘Escalation Unlimited’ Remembering the Folly of ‘Blank-Check’ War and ‘Escalation Unlimited’

Fifty years ago, Senators Wayne Morse and Ernest Gruening cast visionary votes against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and war in Southeast Asia.

Aug 7, 2014 / John Nichols

Art & the State in South Africa

Art & the State in South Africa Art & the State in South Africa

For Nadine Gordimer in 1983, the arts in South Africa were simply “the sum of various states of alienation.”

Jul 14, 2014 / Nadine Gordimer

When Jonathan Schell Introduced Me to Robert McNamara

When Jonathan Schell Introduced Me to Robert McNamara When Jonathan Schell Introduced Me to Robert McNamara

Jonathan’s unique ability to build bridges brought together this child of a red-diaper baby with a core member of LBJ’s war cabinet in common cause.

Jun 13, 2014 / Peter Rothberg

Could China’s Labor Unrest Spark Another Tiananmen Moment?

Could China’s Labor Unrest Spark Another Tiananmen Moment? Could China’s Labor Unrest Spark Another Tiananmen Moment?

China has changed a lot in twenty-five years, but there are still valuable lessons to be learned from the Tiananmen protesters.

Jun 9, 2014 / Michelle Chen

Maya Angelou’s Civil Rights Legacy

Maya Angelou’s Civil Rights Legacy Maya Angelou’s Civil Rights Legacy

A brilliant author who organized with Dr. King and served on the staff of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

May 28, 2014 / John Nichols

Earth Day’s Founding Father

Earth Day’s Founding Father Earth Day’s Founding Father

As a student and politician and activist, Gaylord Nelson kept his eyes open. 

Apr 22, 2014 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Gabriel García Márquez—a Rebel Against Form, an Artist Against the Forces of Oblivion

Gabriel García Márquez—a Rebel Against Form, an Artist Against the Forces of Oblivion Gabriel García Márquez—a Rebel Against Form, an Artist Against the Forces of Oblivion

He taught us how to live with loss, and he told us, over and over again, that other utopias are possible.

Apr 21, 2014 / Books & the Arts / Greg Grandin

Gore Vidal: At 10, I Wanted to be Mickey Rooney

Gore Vidal: At 10, I Wanted to be Mickey Rooney Gore Vidal: At 10, I Wanted to be Mickey Rooney

How Mickey Rooney’s Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream changed Vidal’s life.

Apr 7, 2014 / Books & the Arts / Jon Wiener

This Week in ‘Nation’ History: The Fearless Idealism of Jonathan Schell

This Week in ‘Nation’ History: The Fearless Idealism of Jonathan Schell This Week in ‘Nation’ History: The Fearless Idealism of Jonathan Schell

As he once wrote of history itself, Jonathan was “no respecter of conventional wisdom.”

Mar 29, 2014 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

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