The Atlantic Out Loud

The Thrilla in Manila nearly killed Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. By Vann R. Newkirk II From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How a kid from Long Island willed his way to the top of American comedy By Adrienne LaFrance From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the challenges traditional dictionaries face in a digital world, highlighting Merriam-Webster's adaptations amidst declining viability. Discover how lexicographers strive for inclusivity while navigating changing language norms. Delve into the struggles of Digital Dictionary, grappling with financial setbacks during the pandemic and misaligned educational initiatives. Understand the future of lexicography, focusing on innovative strategies and social media engagement as the industry adapts to evolving complexities in language.

Forty years after Spinal Tap, history’s most hapless band turns it up to 11 one last time. By James Parker From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a new memoir, Susan Cheever searches for the wellspring of her father’s genius. By Adam Begley From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tidiest explanation for the pop star’s success is that she befriended an underestimated audience of girls and young women. That’s only part of the story. By Spencer Kornhaber From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel and the United States delivered a blow to Iran. But it could come back stronger. By Graeme Wood From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A thousand years ago, Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji, the world’s first novel. Who was she? By Lauren Groff From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Letter to America’s Discarded Public Servants By William J. Burns From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠October 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The country gave its citizens the right to die. Doctors are struggling to keep up with demand. By Elaina Plott Calabro From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠September 2025 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices