Our top stories of the week, as chosen by the editors at Longreads.
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Posted inArts & Culture, History, Story
Percy Ross Wants to Give You Money!
He was was a self-made, blue-collar millionaire in Reagan’s America. But when Percy Ross decided to give away his fortune, he made things simple: all you had to do was ask for it.
Posted inBooks, Nonfiction
The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Feminist Struggle
Her iconic main character inspired millions, but some argued the show needed to go even farther.
Posted inArts & Culture, Story
The Tears of Denis Johnson
The writer showed his students and friends how to remain an artist, even when one becomes a kind of cult figure.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Nonfiction, Story
The Admission
Stacy Torres recalls the mixture of frustration and relief that came with checking herself into a New York City psych ward at the age of 20.
Posted inNonfiction, Reading List
Longreads Best of 2016: Food Writing
We asked a few writers and editors to choose some of their favorite stories of the year in various categories. Here, the best in food writing.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Nonfiction, Story
Writing the Monsignor
Mary O’Connell recalls her college efforts to write about a scandalized priest from her youth.
Posted inBooks, Nonfiction, Story
The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Feminist Struggle
Her iconic main character inspired millions, but some argued the show needed to go even farther.
Posted inArts & Culture, Story, Uncategorized
The Death of an Heir: Adolph Coors III and the Murder That Rocked an American Brewing Dynasty
More than fifty years ago, one man tried to hold the Coors brewery CEO for ransom. Things went very badly.
Posted inEssays & Criticism, Nonfiction, Story
Bootlegging Jane’s Addiction
Aaron Gilbreath considers the impact a live Jane’s Addiction recording has had on him, and the effect heroin had on the band’s — and his own — creativity.
