Whipping Boy
A writer’s 40-year search for his school bully.
Escape Artist: The Case for Joan Crawford
David Denby explores the reasons why so many people dislike Joan Crawford as well as the complicated woman behind her public persona in this compelling profile from 2011.
Double Jeopardy
Examining a system that allows judges to override a jury that decides to spare a defendant from the death penalty.
Modern Farmer Plows Ahead
A profile of upstart magazine Modern Farmer, which its founder has described as “farming magazine for media professionals.”
Against the Grain
A closer look at what we still don’t know about gluten, and whether going “gluten-free” is a good idea.
Thirty-Three Hit Wonder
A profile of Billy Joel, resident of Long Island who takes a helicopter ride to his monthly job at Madison Square Garden.
The Holder of Secrets
A profile of the filmmaker Laura Poitras, whose new documentary “Citizenfour” tells the inside story of the N.S.A. whistle-blower Edward Snowden.
Before the Law
A story about a crippled legal system: Sixteen-year-old Kalief Browder spent three years imprisoned on Rikers Island on robbery charges with shaky evidence. His case never went to trial.
The Last Amazon
The little-known story behind Wonder Woman’s origins.
The Real Cliff Huxtable
“For decades, Bill Cosby was America’s ideal dad. His real life was more complicated.” A critical look at the new Mark Whitaker biography, Cosby: His Life and Times, and what it leaves out.