The many reasons Lost shouldn’t have happened.

A mother on her autistic child’s progression and regression.

On the future of Britain’s finances.

An oral history of the University of Texas Tower massacre.

In search of the perfect lie detector test.

An investigation into how Hollywood abuses animals.

“I’ve tried therapy, drugs, and booze. Here’s what helps.”

On hit-and-run deaths, and in particular, that of Tiara Nichelle Jackson on the Beltway.

How a commuter college in Miami became a chess powerhouse.

An essay on music and family, sparked by the author’s realization that his speakers sucked.

A glimpse into the overcrowded California State Prison, Los Angeles County.

On digital animators’ quest to capture the endlessly complex human face.

A profile of the reclusive musician.

On the life of a small-town druggist in Colorado.

When a writer’s daily routine gets out of control.

One morning, as I gobbled my doughnut and slurped my coffee, thinking to myself, "What a fantastic doughnut, what an amazing coffee," I realised that I had not just thought this but was actually saying aloud, "What a fantastic doughnut! What a totally fantastic experience!", and that this was attracting the attention of the other customers, one of whom turned to me and said, "You like the doughnuts, huh?"

The monologist as a young man.

How an academic found herself imprisoned by Qaddafi.

A jury recommends life in prison; the judged orders a death sentence.

On the actress’s stellar year.

"The Colonel went out sailing. He spoke with Turk and Jew . . ."

He doesn’t really know. Never really has, actually, and that’s the way he likes it.

The story of Jeb Bush and Terri Schiavo.

A profile of Sage Kimzey, the 20-year-old king of rodeo.