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The Best American Magazine Writing 2005
"The Best American Magazine Writing 2010" proves that print journalism is as vital as ever, offering information, amusement, connection, and perspective to those who love to lose themselves in a good read. This year's selections, chosen from National Magazine Awards finalists and winners, include David Grann's article from the "New Yorker" on the execution of a possibly innocent man; Sheri Fink's report from the "New York Times Magazine" on the alleged euthanization of patients during Hurricane Katrina; and Fareed Zakaria's compelling take from "Newsweek" on Iran's weakening regime.
"The Best American Magazine Writing 2010" also includes absorbing profiles, arresting interviews, personal essays, and entrancing fiction. "Esquire"'s Mike Sager recounts a promising quarterback's shocking descent into drugs; "Vanity Fair"'s Bryan Burrough shares the confessions of the year's other major Ponzi schemer, and, from "McSweeney's Quarterly," Wells Tower weaves a transporting tale of elemental desire. "GQ"'s Tom Carson offers his critique of America's current vampire craze; Mitch Albom rediscovers Detroit's indomitable spirit in "Sports Illustrated"; and Garrison Keillor sings an ode to the homegrown joys of state fairs in "National Geographic." Additional contributors include Atul Gawande, Megan McArdle, and many others commenting on a range of issues, from health care and the national debt to war movies and the controversy over circumcision. Altogether the writing collected here proves the rich pleasures waiting in the best magazines.
"The Best American Magazine Writing 2010" also includes absorbing profiles, arresting interviews, personal essays, and entrancing fiction. "Esquire"'s Mike Sager recounts a promising quarterback's shocking descent into drugs; "Vanity Fair"'s Bryan Burrough shares the confessions of the year's other major Ponzi schemer, and, from "McSweeney's Quarterly," Wells Tower weaves a transporting tale of elemental desire. "GQ"'s Tom Carson offers his critique of America's current vampire craze; Mitch Albom rediscovers Detroit's indomitable spirit in "Sports Illustrated"; and Garrison Keillor sings an ode to the homegrown joys of state fairs in "National Geographic." Additional contributors include Atul Gawande, Megan McArdle, and many others commenting on a range of issues, from health care and the national debt to war movies and the controversy over circumcision. Altogether the writing collected here proves the rich pleasures waiting in the best magazines.
440 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 3, 2024
- "Home" by Chris Jones – such a stunning piece which did such a beautiful job of describing space as simultaneously breathtaking and brutal. a gut-punch gorgeous ending as well
- "Walking His Life Away" by Gary Smith – ***Wow. this piece really stuck with me and since reading it, it's been returning to my stream of thinking every once in a while. just so haunting and depressing in a subtle way that's even scarier. what happens when someone dedicates their life to something, when their passion overrules all else? this ending was visceral and genuinely made me just close the book and sit with it for a bit. may Albert Heppner and his love for race-walking never be forgotten.
- "The Man Who Loved Grizzlies" by Ned Zeman – I'm always super intrigued by people who devote their careers and/or lives to engaging with nature as fully as one possibly can, maybe because the things they do and love doing are often so unfathomable to me–just to name a few activities which profoundly scare me, this includes deep sea diving, caving, rock climbing, big wave surfing, and any activity which necessitates complete acceptance of the Earth's inexplicable and uncontrollable power over you. recently, I've been falling down random YouTube rabbit holes of near-fatal surfing or skiing accidents, which remind me why I'll never become an extreme adventurer. this piece, and the account of what ultimately befalls Timothy Treadwell, is reminiscent of these clickbaity videos, but it provides a nuanced perspective. Zeman is notably empathetic in his characterization of Treadwell and his love for bears–you can both feel a sense of awe and pity at his stubborn passion.
- "Times Regained" by Adam Gopnik – this was chock-full of still-salient quotes, particularly so when you're reading it on New Year's Day. urban studies, sociology and economics all thrown together made for a fascinating read, made more clear if you've been to Times Square and felt exactly what's being described here–the overconsumption, or the push towards continued monopolized consumption, of retail monotony. the Tragedy of the Uncommons was particularly interesting. a quote that stuck with me:
"Which just proves, as with the old maxim about belief, that people who refuse to be sentimental about the normal things don't end up being sentimental about anything, shedding tears about muggings and the shards of crack vials glittering like diamonds in the gutter."
- "Good Plan, Republicans. But It Didn't Work in Britain" by Jonathan Rauch – this hook HOOKED me and reminded me that I really want to read more about Margaret Thatcher so I can expand my knowledge beyond the scattered memes I've seen about her. anyways... my macroeconomic brain is working !! Super interesting and feels relevant as we enter an election year
certainly wanna read more of these
- "Walking His Life Away" by Gary Smith – ***Wow. this piece really stuck with me and since reading it, it's been returning to my stream of thinking every once in a while. just so haunting and depressing in a subtle way that's even scarier. what happens when someone dedicates their life to something, when their passion overrules all else? this ending was visceral and genuinely made me just close the book and sit with it for a bit. may Albert Heppner and his love for race-walking never be forgotten.
- "The Man Who Loved Grizzlies" by Ned Zeman – I'm always super intrigued by people who devote their careers and/or lives to engaging with nature as fully as one possibly can, maybe because the things they do and love doing are often so unfathomable to me–just to name a few activities which profoundly scare me, this includes deep sea diving, caving, rock climbing, big wave surfing, and any activity which necessitates complete acceptance of the Earth's inexplicable and uncontrollable power over you. recently, I've been falling down random YouTube rabbit holes of near-fatal surfing or skiing accidents, which remind me why I'll never become an extreme adventurer. this piece, and the account of what ultimately befalls Timothy Treadwell, is reminiscent of these clickbaity videos, but it provides a nuanced perspective. Zeman is notably empathetic in his characterization of Treadwell and his love for bears–you can both feel a sense of awe and pity at his stubborn passion.
- "Times Regained" by Adam Gopnik – this was chock-full of still-salient quotes, particularly so when you're reading it on New Year's Day. urban studies, sociology and economics all thrown together made for a fascinating read, made more clear if you've been to Times Square and felt exactly what's being described here–the overconsumption, or the push towards continued monopolized consumption, of retail monotony. the Tragedy of the Uncommons was particularly interesting. a quote that stuck with me:
"Which just proves, as with the old maxim about belief, that people who refuse to be sentimental about the normal things don't end up being sentimental about anything, shedding tears about muggings and the shards of crack vials glittering like diamonds in the gutter."
- "Good Plan, Republicans. But It Didn't Work in Britain" by Jonathan Rauch – this hook HOOKED me and reminded me that I really want to read more about Margaret Thatcher so I can expand my knowledge beyond the scattered memes I've seen about her. anyways... my macroeconomic brain is working !! Super interesting and feels relevant as we enter an election year
certainly wanna read more of these
June 19, 2007
Some gems in this collection, such as the tussle between wild elephants and locals in India.
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January 15, 2010essays
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews