The vestigial tale

In our modern click-and-skim world, there’s dwindling time and space for the expertly crafted narrative

Source: Washington Post
Published: Oct 29, 2009
Length: 29 minutes (7,408 words)

The Troubles of Korea’s Influential Economic Pundit

Source: Wired
Published: Oct 19, 2009
Length: 13 minutes (3,275 words)

For Walker, Financial Fouls Mount

Former Celtics star pursued by creditors as free-spending lifestyle drains his wealth

Source: Boston Globe
Published: Oct 25, 2009
Length: 8 minutes (2,116 words)

How They Did It: David Plouffe on Obama’s 2008 Victory

Source: Time
Published: Oct 29, 2009
Length: 5 minutes (1,313 words)

Tracy Morgan On Being ‘The New Black’

Book excerpt. “I’m not going to lie: I know I’ve got a natural talent that has seen me through my trials and tribulations. Being funny has been my bulletproof vest. This mouth of mine and my goofy face have kept me from getting shot many times, particularly that one time when I stole a drug dealer’s girl. Being funny wasn’t a career choice growing up, it was my way out of situations, a way to survive another day. In the end, it also freed me from my environment.”

Source: NPR
Published: Oct 22, 2009
Length: 16 minutes (4,113 words)

The Obamas’ Marriage

On Oct. 3, just a day after their failed Olympics bid in Copenhagen, Barack and Michelle Obama slipped into a Georgetown restaurant for one of their now-familiar date nights: this time, to toast their 17th wedding anniversary. As with their previous outings, even the dark photographs taken by passers-by and posted on the Web looked glamorous: the president tieless, in a suit; the first lady in a backless sheath.

Published: Oct 26, 2009
Length: 33 minutes (8,433 words)

The Believer on Errol Morris

Source: The Believer
Published: Apr 1, 2004
Length: 16 minutes (4,174 words)

My Father, the Terrorist

A son of Osama bin Laden paints an intimate portrait of the man who would become the world’s most infamous terrorist.

Source: Vanity Fair
Published: Oct 28, 2009
Length: 8 minutes (2,112 words)

John Grisham’s Debut Short Story

Read an exclusive excerpt from John Grisham’s debut collection, Ford County, a heartbreaking tale of one family’s visit to death row.

Source: The Daily Beast
Published: Oct 26, 2009
Length: 35 minutes (8,854 words)

Letterman and Me

One of the few women ever to write for Late Night with David Letterman, the author (a longtime V.F. contributor) remembers a hostile, sexually charged atmosphere. What’s to be done? Start by breaking late night’s all-male gag order.

Source: Vanity Fair
Published: Oct 27, 2009
Length: 35 minutes (8,754 words)