literature

Inside The Eerie True Stories That Inspired ‘The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow’

Washington Irving's famous tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and its iconic headless horseman were inspired by a mix of real history and spooky folklore.

By Natasha Ishak • Sep 20, 2022

Inside The Eerie True Stories That Inspired ‘The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow’

Washington Irving's famous tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and its iconic headless horseman were inspired by a mix of real history and spooky folklore.

By Natasha Ishak • September 20, 2022

Inside The Devastating Death Of Ernest Hemingway, The Author Whose Work Defined America’s ‘Lost Generation’

Ernest Hemingway famously struggled with alcoholism and mental illness for decades before taking his own life in 1961.

By Kristen Winiarski • Aug 2, 2022

Inside The Devastating Death Of Ernest Hemingway, The Author Whose Work Defined America’s ‘Lost Generation’

Ernest Hemingway famously struggled with alcoholism and mental illness for decades before taking his own life in 1961.

By Kristen Winiarski • August 2, 2022

Inside Teratophilia, The Bizarre ‘Monster’ Fetish That’s Become Increasingly Popular

Taken from the ancient Greek words for “love” and “monster,” teratophilia involves the sexual attraction to fantasy creatures like Bigfoot — and sometimes real-life people with deformities.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 26, 2022

Inside Teratophilia, The Bizarre ‘Monster’ Fetish That’s Become Increasingly Popular

Taken from the ancient Greek words for “love” and “monster,” teratophilia involves the sexual attraction to fantasy creatures like Bigfoot — and sometimes real-life people with deformities.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 26, 2022

The True Story Of Karl May, The Adventure Writer Who Became Hitler’s Favorite Author

In the 19th century, a German author named Karl May wrote a series of novels set in the American West — which later influenced the worldview of Adolf Hitler.

By Jessica O'Connor • Mar 23, 2022

The True Story Of Karl May, The Adventure Writer Who Became Hitler’s Favorite Author

In the 19th century, a German author named Karl May wrote a series of novels set in the American West — which later influenced the worldview of Adolf Hitler.

By Jessica O'Connor • March 23, 2022

How Did Edgar Allan Poe Die? Inside The Mysterious Demise Of The Famed Gothic Writer

After suffering from mysterious hallucinations for four days straight, Edgar Allan Poe died of unknown causes in Baltimore at age 40 on October 7, 1849.

By Katie Serena • Feb 17, 2022

How Did Edgar Allan Poe Die? Inside The Mysterious Demise Of The Famed Gothic Writer

After suffering from mysterious hallucinations for four days straight, Edgar Allan Poe died of unknown causes in Baltimore at age 40 on October 7, 1849.

By Katie Serena • February 17, 2022

Inside Jack London’s Story, From The Gold Rush To Literary Fame

From adventurer to author to activist, John Griffith London led a dramatic life in keeping with his celebrated novels like "White Fang" and "The Call of the Wild."

By Leah Silverman • Feb 1, 2022

Inside Jack London’s Story, From The Gold Rush To Literary Fame

From adventurer to author to activist, John Griffith London led a dramatic life in keeping with his celebrated novels like "White Fang" and "The Call of the Wild."

By Leah Silverman • February 1, 2022

55 History Books That Will Change Your Outlook On Life

Missed out on the classics or looking for something new? Check out some of the best history books of all time, from ancient marvels to Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction.

By Leah Silverman • Nov 8, 2021

55 History Books That Will Change Your Outlook On Life

Missed out on the classics or looking for something new? Check out some of the best history books of all time, from ancient marvels to Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction.

By Leah Silverman • November 8, 2021

21 Images Of Hunter S. Thompson, The Gonzo Writer Too Weird For This Planet

Booze, bullets, and Bill Murray: enjoy these engrossing photos of counterculture icon Hunter S. Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism.

By Alexander Baldwin • Oct 11, 2021

21 Images Of Hunter S. Thompson, The Gonzo Writer Too Weird For This Planet

Booze, bullets, and Bill Murray: enjoy these engrossing photos of counterculture icon Hunter S. Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism.

By Alexander Baldwin • October 11, 2021

This Week In History News, Sept. 5 – 11

Mysterious stone balls unearthed at Neolithic Scottish tomb, 800-year-old Merlin texts translated, Napoleon's hat containing traces of his DNA goes up for auction.

By All That's Interesting • Sep 10, 2021

News

This Week In History News, Sept. 5 – 11

Mysterious stone balls unearthed at Neolithic Scottish tomb, 800-year-old Merlin texts translated, Napoleon's hat containing traces of his DNA goes up for auction.

By All That's Interesting • September 10, 2021

What Happened When A White Man “Became” Black In Mid-20th Century America

In an attempt to understand a non-white life in America, John Griffin dyed his skin "black" and set off to the South. His experience, recounted in Black Like Me was, as you might expect, painful.

By John Kuroski • Aug 31, 2021

What Happened When A White Man “Became” Black In Mid-20th Century America

In an attempt to understand a non-white life in America, John Griffin dyed his skin "black" and set off to the South. His experience, recounted in Black Like Me was, as you might expect, painful.

By John Kuroski • August 31, 2021