How we interpret the past.

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• Uncle Tom's Children Why has Uncle Tom's Cabin survived—and thrived?
  Stephen Metcalf May 20, 2005
  
• The Trouble With Harry A new biography of Blackmun fails to do the Supreme Court justice.
  Cliff Sloan May 19, 2005
  
• Bar Mitzvah Madness The bar mitzvah's history holds a clue to saving the modern-day ritual.
  Emily Bazelon May 19, 2005
  
• Deconstructing Teddy The darker side of the convivial president.
  Mark Lewis May 18, 2005
  
• That Barnes & Noble Dream What's wrong with the David McCulloughs of history.
  David Greenberg May 17, 2005
  
• A Theater of War Benjamin Franklin's dramatic role in American history.
  Rachel Cohen May 17, 2005
  
• Interpreting the Past Slate's History Week.
  May 17, 2005
  
• The Spirit of the Letter What biographers find in other people's mail.
  Megan Marshall May 17, 2005
  
• The Malleable Estate Is marriage more joyful than ever?
  Alan Wolfe May 17, 2005
  
• American History 101 Do contemporary politics belong in a course on U.S. History?
  Diane Ravitch May 17, 2005