A Fish So Coveted People Have Smuggled, Kidnapped, and Killed For It
A look at the illegal trade in exotic animals.
Bill’s Big Moment
An insight into the odd existence of former presidents, viewed through the prism of Bill Clinton’s current role in Hillary’s campaign and his potential part in any future administration.
Tesla, software and disruption
Benedict Evans is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, a leading venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. This piece is a deep dive into the automotive industry, comparing the incumbents (Ford, GM, et al) with the disruptor (Tesla), and searching for insights in other industries that have already seen disruption (mobile phones, desktop and laptop computers).
A Spymaster Steps Out of the Shadows
John Brennan was CIA Director under President Obama, and as such privy to the highest echelons of state secrets and directly involved in the most contentious aspects of America’s war on terror. Since the beginning of the year, he has also been engaged in a public feud with Donald Trump.
The Tinkerings of Robert Noyce
Tom Wolfe’s final piece for Esquire, written in 1983, and one of his most famous stories, looking at the mythical early days of Silicon Valley and the co-founder of Intel.
The Bloody Family History of the Guillotine
This piece examines the history of the guillotine and of France’s hereditary role of executioner – both inextricably entwined with the events of the French Revolution.
Has Anyone Seen the President?
The Moneyball and Liar’s Poker author Michael Lewis goes to Washington to ask a question, and ends up watching the State of the Union at Steve Bannon’s house.
Journal’s Best of the Best 2017
We’ve collected together pieces reviewing the best of 2017, covering journalism, music, cinema, podcasts and more. We’ve also picked one piece from each collection that we particularly liked. We’ll keep updating the post for the next week.
Orbiting Jupiter: my week with Emmanuel Macron
A profile that looks beyond Emmanuel Macron’s charismatic personality and assesses his rise to power, performance in office, and future prospects.
Yearning for the end of the world
The story of life as a member of an underground church in 1980s Iran, waiting for the end of days and the promised Rapture.