This investigation shows how small-scale "artisanal" cobalt mining in Congo fuels the industry of smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles that rely on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

How an esoteric piece of farm equipment created America’s breadbasket — and threatens to destroy it.

"Narcissists are imitators par excellence. And they do not copy the small, boring parts of selves." An excerpt from n+1 editor Kristen Dombek's first book, The Selfishness of Others: An Essay on the Fear of Narcissism.

Six stories about notebooks and note-taking from David Sax, Belle Boggs, Joan Didion, and more.

Our top stories of the week, as chosen by the editors at Longreads.

Behind-the-scenes at an award-winning newspaper, gutted by staff cuts and figuring out how to survive with fewer resources.

To understand why the same Middle Americans and white working class who would have voted Democratic in different decades now supported Trump and the Tea Party, a far-thinking sociologist looks beyond sociological studies and travels to Louisiana to speak to people directly. Her book is an astonishing portrait of paradox and what she calls the "deep stories" that involve more feelings than facts.

When I relax my hands and open my eyes to see Paulo striding along the bridge toward me with another goddamned cigarette between his lips, I fleetingly see him for what he is again: the sprawling thing from my dream, all sparkling spires and reeking slums and stolen rhythms made over with genteel cruelty. I know that he glimpses what I am, too, all the bright light and bluster of me. Maybe he’s always seen it, but there is admiration in his gaze now, and I like it. He comes to help support me with his shoulder, and he says, “Congratulations,” and I grin. I live the city. It thrives and it is mine. I am its worthy avatar, and together? We will never be afraid again.

An excerpt of Ruth Franklin’s biography of Shirley Jackson, the author of seventeen books and many short stories including “The Lottery,” the bulk of which were written while she was immersed in raising—and being influenced by—her four children.

The Republican nominee has divided conservative media commentators, hosts, and personalities, who either see Trump as the right candidate to shake up a corrupt establishment, or a "frightening" and "train wreck" of a choice.