How America Is Putting Itself Back Together
Most people in the U.S. believe their country is going to hell. But they’re wrong. What a three-year journey by single-engine plane reveals about reinvention and renewal.
March 2016
In This Issue
James Fallows uncovers the strength in America, an attempted coup in the Gambia, the teenagers fluent in high-order math, why we still miss John Stewart, and much more
Cover Story
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The Math Revolution
The number of American teens who excel at advanced math has surged. Why?
‘Let’s Go Take Back Our Country’
What happened when 11 exiles armed themselves for a violent night in the Gambia
A Free-Market Plan to Save the American West From Drought
A maverick investor is buying up water rights. Will he rescue a region, or just end up hurting the poor?
Where Have You Gone, Annie Dillard?
Why the author has become so much less prolific over the past 17 years
Dispatches
Edmon de Haro Why Attacking ISIS Won’t Make Americans Safer
U.S. presidential candidates are steering the country toward a terror trap.
John Cuneo Can This Man Save U.S. Soccer?
How one teacher is attempting to train a generation of globally competitive players—starting with their coaches.
Justin Renteria What China Could Learn From Richard Nixon
The country’s growth is slowing. The wrong response might make the problem worse.
Marco Goran Romano People Are Pretty Bad at Reading Faces
Why humans are quick to judge expressions—and often get them wrong
Alvaro Dominguez The Future of Fraud-Busting
New technology that could stop scams before they happen
Dubassy / Shutterstock Tying Paris Back Together
The French capital has embarked on the most ambitious new subway project in the Western world.
Sina Big in China: Over-the-Top Marriage Proposals
The high stakes and high price of popping the question
Joe McKendry Off With Their Beards!
A very short book excerpt
The Culture File
Evan Agostini / Invision / AP Missing Jon Stewart
The new Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, is smooth and charming, but he hasn’t found his edge.
Doug Chayka A. O. Scott, Critic Without a Cause
The New York Times film writer has a take on everything but says nothing.
WCA / AP How Ex-Communists Shaped American Conservatism
A new book looks at the leftist origins of the rabid right.
Cristiana Couceiro The Elusive Maggie Thatcher
Why novelists can’t seem to get her right
Simon & Schuster The Struggles of the Woman Behind 'Battle Hymn of the Republic'
A short review of The Civil Wars of Julia Ward Howe
Departments
The Conversation
Readers respond to “The Silicon Valley Suicides”
Graham Roumieu Who Is the Greatest Supporting Player of All Time?
A big question
Poetry
The Wren
A poem
