In the autumn of 1971, two county health inspectors walked up a driveway in East Hampton, New York. At the end of it stood a large shingled house, three stories of weathered gray set back from the Atlantic Ocean. Two women were living inside. One was 76 years old. The other was 53. They were … Read more
She was born in a Colorado mining camp and died in a Georgetown townhouse. In between, Evalyn Walsh McLean owned the Hope Diamond, entertained presidents, and watched her family fall apart around her. Her father, Thomas Walsh, arrived in America as a penniless Irish immigrant. He spent two decades chasing gold before he found it. … Read more
Han frygtede ikke bare snavs. Han frygtede det. Ikke på den måde, folk griner ad, men på den måde, der styrer, hvordan du trækker vejret, hvordan du bevæger dig, hvordan du findes. Og det værste var, at han ikke selv havde valgt det. Som barn var hele hans liv bygget op omkring frygt. Hver dag … Read more
On the afternoon of April 28, 1881, Billy the Kid sat shackled in a second-floor room of the Lincoln County courthouse, sentenced to hang in fifteen days. Through the window he could hear the hammering of men building the gallows. Deputy James Bell stood guard beside him. Deputy Bob Olinger was across the street at … Read more
On 10 July 1940, the German Luftwaffe launched a massive aerial campaign against the United Kingdom, beginning the Battle of Britain. For months, German bombers and fighters attacked British airfields, ports, and cities, including London, Birmingham, and Coventry, in an attempt to gain air superiority ahead of a possible invasion. Despite the odds, the Royal … Read more
Robert Taylor, one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men, raised his right hand before Congress in October 1947 and denounced what he called signs of communist activity in the film industry. In an ornate hearing room packed with spectators, the matinee idol known as “the man with the perfect profile” named colleagues he believed were … Read more
Spalem w mojej taksowce od trzech miesiecy, kiedy podwiozlem pasazera, ktory zmienil moje zycie. Bylem na dnie, bezdomny, bez grosza, zyjąc na kawie ze stacji benzynowych i napiwkach, ktore udało mi się uzbierac. Potem ten dobrze ubrany nieznajomy wsiadł do mojej taksówki, spojrzał na mnie w lusterku wstecznym i zbladł. „Mój Boże”, szepnął. „Wyglądasz dokładnie … Read more
In the climate-controlled vault of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Dr. Rebecca Chen examined a donation that had arrived from an estate auction in Charleston, South Carolina. The object before her was a remarkably preserved family portrait dated 1873, showing the prominent Hartwell family in their parlor. At fifty-three, Rebecca … Read more
The telegram lands on General Eisenhower’s desk at 8:47 hours, March 2nd, 1945. Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, Reims, France. It’s from Patton. Of course, it’s from Patton. “Have taken Trier with two divisions. Do you want me to give it back?” Eisenhower stares at the message for three full seconds. Then he does something … Read more
Ilse Hess was born Ilse Pröhl on June 22, 1900, in Hanover, then part of the German Empire. She grew up as one of three daughters in a wealthy, conservative, and patriotic family. Her father, Friedrich Pröhl, was a doctor. In March 1920, he was killed during the Kapp Putsch, a failed right-wing attempt to … Read more