In this edition: Bear bones, outstanding Outkast, Brightline’s brutality, lasting lunches, ruin ruminations, and more.
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The Food of America and Our Top 5
As Thanksgiving and gluttony approach, I’ve been thinking about what foods represent America and how eating can shape a sense of identity—a theme past Longreads writers have been drawn to.
A Hand From One Page, A Bomb From Another:Â Rethinking “Spy vs. Spy”
The iconic comic strip may seem simple, but its central metaphor has proven impossible to replicate.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we’re sharing stories from Julie K. Brown, Joe Sexton, Zeke Faux and Zachary R. Mider, Bruce Grierson, and Michael Hainey.
No Justice For Old Men
In 2018, we’re inured to stories of a powerful men taking advantage of girls and getting away with it, but Jeffrey Epstein’s story still manages to horrify.
Longreads Best of 2018: Investigative Reporting
We asked writers and editors to choose some of their favorite stories of the year in various categories. Here is the best in investigative reporting.
The Strange and Dangerous World of America’s Big Cat People
A headline-grabbing murder-for-hire plot helped expose the dark side of exotic animal ownership in the U.S. Is there now enough momentum to reform the industry?
The Geography of Risk
Americans have built $3 trillion worth of property in some of the riskiest places on earth, so why do taxpayers have to pay for the hurricane damage to rich coastal communities?
Dirty Gold, Clean Cash
A Miami Herald investigation looks at how billions of dollars worth of gold from Latin American narco-traffickers illegally makes it into the U.S. and eventually becomes used in American jewelry, coins and smartphones.
They Call Her La Primera, Jai Alai’s Last Hope
Three decades ago, Becky Smith wanted to become jai alai’s first woman pro. Now the sport can’t make a comeback without her.


