Obituary

Fernando Valenzuela, in his old Dodgers jersey, throws the pitch in a baseball field.

Fernando Valenzuela’s Magical Life and Tragic Death Reminds Us That Immigration Is Beautiful Fernando Valenzuela’s Magical Life and Tragic Death Reminds Us That Immigration Is Beautiful

The Dodgers pitcher had a legendary rookie year in 1981 in which he helped defeat the Yankees in the World Series.

Oct 23, 2024 / Obituary / Dave Zirin

A close-up photo of Fredric Jameson smiling in front of a microphone.

Fredric Jameson Named the System We Are Still Fighting Fredric Jameson Named the System We Are Still Fighting

The late literary critic revitalized Marxism to critique our postmodern and globalized reality.

Oct 3, 2024 / Obituary / Jeet Heer

Pete Rose holding a baseball mitt in position during a Cincinnati Reds game.

Gambling Is an Addiction. So Why Was Pete Rose an Outcast? Gambling Is an Addiction. So Why Was Pete Rose an Outcast?

The baseball legend was an example of not only the perils of gambling but also why the sports leagues’ embrace of the online-betting industry makes them predatory hypocrites.

Oct 1, 2024 / Obituary / Dave Zirin

Kris Kristofferson circa 1970.

How Kris Kristofferson Beat the Devil How Kris Kristofferson Beat the Devil

The country singer and actor has died at 88. His hard-won political commitments were fundamental to his closely observed, heartfelt writing.

Oct 1, 2024 / Obituary / Chris Lehmann

Fredric Jameson

The Gifts of Fredric Jameson (1934–2024) The Gifts of Fredric Jameson (1934–2024)

The intellectual titan bestowed on us so many things, chief among them a reminder to Always Be Historicizing.

Sep 26, 2024 / Column / Kate Wagner

Lewis Lapham, the editor of “Harpers Magazine,” stands near his office in 2004.

Lewis Lapham Salvaged From History What Was Useful, Beautiful, and True Lewis Lapham Salvaged From History What Was Useful, Beautiful, and True

Writer Lewis H. Lapham, longtime editor of Harper’s Magazine and the founder of Lapham’s Quarterly, died in Rome. He was 89.

Jul 26, 2024 / Obituary / Kelly Burdick

Wayne Smith, former top US diplomat to Havana during former President Jimmy Carter's administration, is seen on May 2, 2002, in Havana, Cuba during a meeting with the media.

Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy Wayne Smith Devoted His Career to Dialogue and Diplomacy

The former Foreign Service officer liked to say “Cuba seems to have the same effect on American administrations as the full moon has on werewolves.”

Jul 15, 2024 / Obituary / Peter Kornbluh and William M. LeoGrande

Jane McAlevey and her horse, Jalapeno.

From the Moment She Joined a Fight, Jane McAlevey Was in It to Win From the Moment She Joined a Fight, Jane McAlevey Was in It to Win

A bitter foe of “pretend politics,” she always said she wanted “to teach people: Can we have the confidence to win?”

Jul 9, 2024 / Obituary / D.D. Guttenplan

Jane McAlevey

“She Usually Won.” Remembering Jane McAlevey, 1964–2024 “She Usually Won.” Remembering Jane McAlevey, 1964–2024

The Nation’s strikes correspondent believed that no one is coming to save us but us. And that we are enough.

Jul 8, 2024 / Obituary / Katie Miles

San Francisco Giant center fielder Willie Mays swings his bat during spring training in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 24, 1961.

Willie Mays Was Baseball’s Last Mythic Hero Willie Mays Was Baseball’s Last Mythic Hero

The center fielder, who died at 93, was the last surviving star who began his career in Black baseball.

Jun 21, 2024 / Obituary / Bijan C. Bayne

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