The Shot Heard Round Russia
The little-known story of how Catherine the Great conquered her fear of doctors to inoculate herself and her country against smallpox
Political Clout
After a nine-year hiatus, the prescient Danish drama Borgen and its lead character, Birgitte Nyborg, have a lot to say
A Cold War Spy Caper
Moviemaker Whit Stillman on the story behind his story. Plus, Errol Morris stops by
The Coaster Correspondence 2.0
Ned Coaster, brother of Ed, gives AIR MAIL’s editors some invaluable advice
The Steep and Thorny Way to Heaven
Brecht and Weill’s swan song, The Seven Deadly Sins
Out with a Bang
It’s common knowledge that an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. But the way it did is surprising
Staff Picks
Don’t miss a timely look at the men who invented guns, a romp through the origins of modern feminism, and a thriller set on a cross-country train ride
Better by Design
Two thousand exhibitors set up shop for Salone del Mobile, Milan’s furniture fair to the stars
Cruise Control
A Royal Air Force navigator steers us into the Top Gun sequel’s aviation mistakes
Breaking Bread
Forget hot dogs—this Memorial Day, it’s all about the bun, and the many other forms of bread artists from Dalí to Lichtenstein used as motifs in their work
Counting Birds
A sampling of tracks from For the Birds, a new project that proves that we are all birds
Spies Fall Out
Howard Hunt imagined himself the Ian Fleming of the C.I.A. Then came Watergate
Monica Barbaro
Top Gun: Maverick’s sole female pilot talks learning stunts from Tom Cruise
The Revolving Staircase
The true story behind the HBO Max drama The Staircase takes yet another disturbing step
The Man Behind Bob Marley
A conversation about Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records
There’s Something About Harry
Harry Styles is at the top of his game as musician, actor, and icon. And what’s not to love?
Always in Fashion
A major retrospective highlights the many sides of famed photographer William Klein
