Floral Tribute
A dazzling new coffee-table book explores the flower in contemporary photography
Crimes of the Mind
How a journalist turned screenwriter stumbled onto the unbelievable but true story that became Rogue Agent
Murder, They Wrote
This month, trade your beach reads for something more challenging—and satisfying—in the way of mystery novels
A Different Sort of Café Society
A Parisian waiter details the less glamorous side of French dining
Balancing the Books
Millennial authors and TikTokers are reviving forgotten literary gems written by women
Ego Trip
Within weeks of becoming the American ambassador to the U.K., Joseph P. Kennedy proved that his confidence far surpassed his talent
Heat Wave
Michael Mann’s new book, which serves as both a prequel and a sequel to his classic 1995 film, brings back the heat
The “It” Factor
A new book revisits the life of Elinor Glyn, one of Hollywood’s early influencers
The Draper Touch
The 20th-century decorator Dorothy Draper transformed the interiors of Manhattan’s Carlyle hotel, West Virginia’s Greenbrier, and more with her signature Hollywood Regency style
Putin Confidential
Eight questions with Philip Short, the author of a new Putin biography, on the Russian president’s early years—and what Bill Browder got wrong
French Exit
Five titans of the Parisian literati have left one of the city’s most distinguished publishing houses, amid accusations that Sarkozy is now pulling the strings
A History of Cool
Slick Rick, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J … Janette Beckman photographed them all, chronicling New York’s creative set from the 80s to today
Staff Picks
This week, don’t miss the tale of one hospital’s pandemic triumphs and screwups; a searing account of Kabul’s fall; and a history of the Getty dynasty
