John’s Top Longreads of 2012
Here are some things I think are worthy of the time required.
They are either highly engrossing or highly pertinent.
Most are both. I hope you enjoy them!
- “The Innocent Man, Part One & Part Two” This one’s showing up on many “best of 2012” lists. A story about our justice system as a whole, and a deeply personal story about one case in particular.
- “The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever” We’ve all gone bowling, but there’s more to it than a lot of us know. Regardless, this story, like much of the best sports writing, is not really about the sport, but about magic moments, heartbreak, and camaraderie.
- “Obama’s Way” I’d read just about anything written by Michael Lewis. I hope some day this article becomes a book which becomes a movie.
- “The frequent fliers who flew too much” Remember the Pudding Guy who gamed the system for airline miles? This story’s just as good.
- “Death Takes a Policy: How a Lawyer Exploited the Fine Print and Found Himself Facing Federal Charges” Read this or listen to the NPR story.
- “The Secret History of Guns” Here’s an article that soberly lays out how America’s gun control debate got where it is today.
- “Guns ‘R Us” A reporter works behind the counter of a gun store in Arizona shortly after the shooting in Tucson.
- “The Lost Projects of Louis C.K.” As is usually the case, his is an overnight success story many many years in the making.
- “Lottery Winner Jack Whittaker’s Losing Ticket” I think about this guy every time the media gets the public riled up about Powerball jackpots.
- “A Pickpocket’s Tale” This one made it just under the wire.
