In 1938, F. Scott Fitzgerald received a story from family friend and aspiring writer Frances Turnball, who was looking for feedback on her writing. In response, Fitzgerald crafted a letter containing advice for young writers, thinkers, and dreamers worthy of marble etching. The letter begins:

Dear Frances:

I've...

Let's be honest, nobody will be staying up until 2 a.m. this summer to watch Olympic racewalkers (joggers pretending to "speed walk") on USA or MSNBC. Not to take anything away from the racewalkers, nor the equestrians, synchronized swimmers, and badminton players, either, but these events are for most people......

A coastline of purple flowers, long green grasses, and neatly tide-swept black sand beaches give California's Lost Coast the illusion of eerie perfection. "A secluded camper's paradise," one might think. The eagles soaring gracefully above the rolling cliffs and roaring sea complete the living postcard, and at the entrance of...