A Conversation Between Leo Tolstoy and Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mike Magee The English translator of Leo Tolstoy’s epic Russian novel, “War and Peace”, Richard Pevear, writes in his introduction, “The book is set in the period of the Napoleonic wars (1805-1812) and tells the interweaving historical events of two very different families of the Russian nobility – the severe Bolonskys and the easygoing Rostovs […]

We Had Plenty Of Warning. Will Microbes Finally Force Modernization of the American Health Care System?

Mike Magee Science has a way of punishing humans for their arrogance. In 1996, Dr. Michael Osterholm found himself rather lonely and isolated in medical research circles. This was the adrenaline infused decade of blockbuster pharmaceuticals focused squarely on chronic debilitating diseases of aging. And yet, there was Osterholm, in Congressional testimony delivering this message: […]

Is There a “Famous Trio” in Human Science For the 21st Century?

Mike Magee Yale historian, Frank M. Snowden wisely notes in his 2020 book, “Epidemics and Society”, that “We must avoid the pitfall of believing the driver of scientific knowledge is ever a single genius working alone.” To make his point, Snowden tells the story of what he terms “The Famous Trio” – three different scientists […]

COVID-19 Through An Ecological Lens.

Mike Magee It is fair to say that the vast majority of Americans know more about viruses today than they did 24 months ago. The death and destruction in the wake of COVID-19 and its progeny has been a powerful motivator. Fear and worry tend to focus one’s attention. Our collective learning’s are evolving. We […]

Covid – “A Mirror for Social Thought and Plausible Action.”

Mike Magee As we enter the third year of the Covid pandemic, with perhaps a partial end in sight, the weight of the debate shows signs of shifting away from genetically engineered therapies, and toward a social science search for historic context. Renowned historian, Charles E. Rosenberg, envisioned a similar transition for the AIDS epidemic […]

This Is Not My First Pandemic.

Mike Magee This is not my first pandemic. When I was a little boy –70 years ago – I was lying on an examination table on a Sunday morning, in my underwear, in my father’s office that was attached to the house. The door to the room was closed and my brothers and sisters were […]

Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham Reflections on Jan. 6th.

Mike Magee On the one year anniversary of the June 6th Insurrection, historians were well represented by two of their own – Jon Meacham and Doris Kearns Goodwin – who were invited to address members of Congress in a session moderated by Carla D. Hayden, Librarian of Congress. Here is a review for your reflection […]

« go back — keep looking »