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Things Worth Remembering
The Free Press presents great literary treasures—from William Shakespeare to David Foster Wallace and beyond—that we should commit to heart.
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Things Worth Remembering: ‘Life Is Real! Life Is Earnest!’
These days, it’s embarrassing to take anything too seriously. But if you don’t, as the poets remind us, your life won’t amount to much.
Ryan Holiday
Things Worth Remembering: Lady Liberty’s Open Arms
It was a poet who transformed America’s favorite statue from a celebration of independence to a symbol of welcome.
Joe Nocera
Things Worth Remembering: ‘Endurance Comes Only from Enduring’
I was the last person in the U.S. to interview the great Czesław Miłosz, before he returned to Poland forever.
Cynthia L. Haven
Things Worth Remembering: How Warriors Prepare
It’s true that training for a war in peacetime is like learning to swim on dry land. But that’s why American soldiers are expected to read books like…
H.R. McMaster
Things Worth Remembering: The Poem I Read to My Daughter
Aficionados would say Shel Silverstein didn’t write great poetry. I say: Whatever.
Peter Savodnik
Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Be Different
After Nazism destroyed his homeland, Simon Rawidowicz defiantly wrote: ‘Do not try to hide the Different inside you.’
Mijal Bitton
Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Be Different
After Nazism destroyed his homeland, Simon Rawidowicz defiantly wrote: ‘Do not try to hide the Different inside you.’
Mijal Bitton
Things Worth Remembering: When to Stop Being Nice
To understand the power of kindness in an age of media mobs and toxic empathy, listen to Patrick Swayze’s monologue in ‘Road House.’
Spencer Klavan
Things Worth Remembering: ‘Do Not Mourn Me Dead’
When I went to war, I wrote letters to my loved ones in case I never came home. Sullivan Ballou did too, and his words are a reminder of what Memorial…
Elliot Ackerman
Things Worth Remembering: ‘James’ Is a Masterpiece
This year’s Pulitzer Prize for fiction went to Percival Everett’s novel, which deserves every award in literature.
Tiya Miles
Things Worth Remembering: Nora Ephron on Being a Mom
When debating with a 4-year-old about what color of plate is acceptable for his dinner, you may realize: Motherhood is absurd, and very funny.
Hadley Freeman
Things Worth Remembering: ‘Be What You Are’
This week, Joseph Massey reflects on the man who first wrote him: ‘Your life is about to change!’
Joseph Massey
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