“Teams make handshake deals with players as young as 11 while moneylenders prey on their families. The industry is corrupt, but Major League Baseball and the players union have done little about it.”
America
Where the Forest Went
Hugh Maxwell’s walk transformed 2.6 million acres of wilderness into a grid for sale. A writer followed his trail to survey what remains.
The 17 Minutes That Changed America
“For the briefest of windows, September 11, 2001, wasn’t yet a calamity but merely a strange accident. And that pivotal span forever altered the way we look at disasters, at the sky, and at one another.”
What if America Went Completely Dark?
“The power grid relies on thousands of aging, hand-built transformers. If enough fail, the blackout could last years.”
Inside America’s Shoplifting Lab
“In the war on ‘shrink,’ big retailers are turning to one Florida outfit to study shoppers and prevent them from stealing. I went there—and saw far too much.”
Semiquincentennial Blues
“I am yearning to reject something that is not even being sold to me.”
America’s Greatest Hot Dog
“The price and quality of the $1.50 Costco frank haven’t budged in 40 years. It’s the last—and best—deal in the country.”
Route 66 Is Turning 100 This Year. It Still Has Stories to Tell About America.
“The country’s legendary main street celebrates its centennial against the backdrop of the nation’s 250th birthday. Could there be a better time for a road trip?”
How the Crossword Conquered America
“Even in a boom time for games, the decidedly old-fashioned puzzles are more popular than ever. I went to the best place on Earth to understand why.”
