Books with author The New York Times Editorial Staff

Tennis star Serena Williams burst into the spotlight when she was fourteen years old and has fascinated tennis fans and the general public ever since. Though undeniably known by many for being one of the greatest tennis players of all time, she is almost as famous for her role in the fashion world and her willingness to speak out on social and political issues that are important to her. This volume traces Serena Williams's life on and off the court to enable readers to understand the many sides of this fascinating public figure.

Birth control has existed in many forms over the course of history, but in the United States, the term itself was not in popular discourse until 1914. At that time, it was illegal to even distribute information about birth control. In the 1950s, the first oral contraceptive, known simply as "the pill" was developed. It was approved for use in the United States in 1960, and the uphill battle for religious and political approval began. This compilation includes New York Times articles that span a period of more than one hundred years. They provide vital context on birth control to those who want to know how we arrived at the medical, social, and political moment of today. Media literacy terms and questions are included to engage readers and activate critical thinking skills.

One of the core debates present at the founding of the United States has involved citizens' freedom to worship as they please. It is an issue that remains relevant today. This fascinating collection reveals religious liberty during the nation's earliest days, how religion influenced Sunday laws and liquor laws, and persecution faced by sects such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Areas of church and state conflict include school prayer, gay rights, and abortion. Modern day issues of transgender rights and travel bans to majority Islamic countries round out religious liberty debates that continue to evolve through the twenty-first century. Media literacy terms and questions will engage readers to consider the topic beyond the text.

Many popular social media websites and apps have one thing in common: celebrities looking to be worshipped. These social influencers come from all walks of life, and cater to young demographics with content including comedy routines, make-up advice, product reviews, and music videos. Watched by millions of viewers worldwide, they create diversion, provide commentary, endorse brands, and sometimes inspire the wrath of governments. With the aid of media literacy terms and questions, readers will discover how this comprehensive collection of articles reveals the ins and outs of internet commerce and culture.

Jack the Ripper. Charles Manson. Ted Bundy. Jeffrey Dahmer. Aileen Wuornos. These names conjure images of the worst of humankind. Much of what we know about these infamous predators came from news coverage at the time they were committing the murders that would scare and intrigue generations of readers. Sketches of these uniquely terrifying people emerged through descriptions of the victims and crime scenes, likely suspects, trials, sentences, and, in some cases, their own deaths. Grouped into four chapters that span the 1890s through 2010s, this book profiles nine of the most infamous serial killers in history.

Who really killed JFK? Was 9/11 an inside job? Has anyone seen Obama's birth certificate? Conspiracy theories have been around for years, often surrounding the lives of political figures and national tragedies. In recent years, conspiracy theories have been moving from the fringes to the mainstream, receiving national attention from Alex Jones' Infowars, and President Donald Trump's embrace of far-right conspiracies. The articles in this book trace conspiracy theories from their historical foundations to their modern representations, showing how these ideas can grow until they have a life of their own. Media literacy questions and terms will challenge readers to further analyze reporting styles, devices, and the veracity of sources.

In the age of social media networking and personal brands, a new form of fundraising is gaining significant traction. Whether you are a paleontologist seeking financial assistance for fossil excavation, or a musician looking to fund your first album, people are turning to crowdfunding as a way to realize projects, spread awareness about a cause, or even cover medical expenses. The New York Times articles collected in this volume give a sense of the great variety of crowdfunded projects, the particular advantages or drawbacks of the method, and the potential challenges and controversies that can arise from crowdfunding. Features such as media literacy questions and terms help readers understand how the reporting of the topic has developed.

To many Americans, the term big pharma evokes thoughts of greedy organizations that put profits ahead of people's health. It's difficult to put a price tag on drugs that improve or save lives. It's even harder to stomach the thought of being unable to afford medicines when we may need them most. With the price of pills reaching an all-time high, we are looking for justifications and turning to our government for solutions. The articles in this collection provide valuable coverage and insights into the practices of drug manufacturers, the driving forces behind the costs we face today, and what, if anything, can be done to satiate the hunger of big pharma. Media literacy questions and terms will engage readers beyond the text and aid them in considering the many facets of this complicated issue.

Why do we need to know about cult leaders? Because anyone can be manipulated by them. From the rich and famous to the poor and lonely, people believe in the worlds created by these extraordinarily charismatic and persuasive manipulators. But promises of a better life often lead to something dark, traumatic, or even fatal. Feature articles, op-ed pieces, and obituaries tell the stories of five of the most infamous cult leaders in American history: Charles Manson, Jim Jones, David Koresh, Heaven's Gate founder Marshall Applewhite, and Nxivm's Keith Raniere. Readers will learn about the people who sacrificed everything to follow them. Media literacy terms and questions deepen readers' understanding of reporting styles and devices.

Today's headlines shine light on the growing trend toward the legalization of marijuana, a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant whose use cuts across diverse classes of people. In this compilation of articles, readers encounter a journalistic history of cannabis use. Successive phases of fear (often coupled with racist attitudes toward Mexicans and Latinos) and embrace (by hippies, U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, and other segments of the counterculture) have often clouded sound judgment about the benefits and risks of the drug. These articles explore every facet of these diverse approaches, highlighting an array of medical, economic, and social perspectives on marijuana and those who use it.

When Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for his album "DAMN," critics announced that the award represented a belated acknowledgement of the cultural importance of hip-hop as a genre. The articles in this volume, ranging from music reviews to profiles, show the lives and careers of prominent hip-hop artists, including the controversies of Kanye West and the successes of Drake. The impact of these artists can be felt in the spheres of fashion, art, literature, and politics as well as in every sphere of music.

It started with an article and grew into a movement. #MeToo was born in the wake of a Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times investigative report on producer Harvey Weinstein's habitual sexual harassment of young women. The hashtag empowered women around the world to share their stories of sexual assault and abuse. Corporations responded by firing dozens of accused CEOs, media moguls, and movie stars, and politicians responded by sponsoring legislation against sexual harassment. This collection of articles tracks the movement from its start. It looks at the international response and inevitable criticism, as well as the future of the movement.