The WQ's Most Read Stories of 2010

2010 has been a big year for the WQ. In addition to launching a redesigned website (with full archive access for subcribers!), we’ve started this blog, created a Facebook page, launched a Twitter feed, and produced a few podcasts. As we (and, we hope, you) wait with anticipation for our Winter 2011 issue to arrive from the printer, here’s a list of the WQ pieces that were the most popular on the Web this year. Happy New Year!

“America: Land of Loners?” by Daniel Akst

Americans, plugged in and on the move, are confiding in their pets, their computers, and their spouses. What they need is to rediscover the value of friendship.

“The Enterprise of Nations” by David S. Landes

Critics have tried to explain away the West’s centuries-long economic domination of the globe; they would do better to study its lessons.

“Gandhi’s Invisible Hands” by Ian Desai

Behind the rise of Mahatma Gandhi was a little-recognized team of followers he carefully recruited including his secretary, Mahadev Desai.

“Celebrity Jane” by Brooke Allen

A review of two books that consider various aspects of the Jane Austen industry.

“The Arab Tomorrow” by David B. Ottaway

The Arab world today is ruled by contradiction. Turmoil and stagnation prevail, as colossal wealth and hypermodern cities collide with mass illiteracy and rage-filled imams. In this new diversity may lie disaster, or the makings of a better Arab future.

“The Despair of Zion” by Walter Reich

Any effort to bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians must reckon with the fact that bitter experience has taught many Israelis to doubt that their foes want a lasting concord.

“The Case for Selective Failure” by Ross Terrill

Hardly anyone wishes for a total Chinese collapse, but certain setbacks should be welcomed.

“America’s Changeable Civil War” by Christopher Clausen

A century and a half after the first state seceded from the Union, a lively debate over what caused the Civil War continues.

“Listening Tour” by Megan Buskey

The complicated reasons behind the meaning of silence.

“Turkey’s Role Reversals” by Michael Thumann

In Turkey, secularists cling to a decaying old order while pious Muslims lead the way toward modernization. But will the upstarts create a genuinely pluralist new order?

Photo credit: Paul Moody via flickr

COMMENTS (1)

The (new) re-designed site looks great! And the podcast and video feeds are very interesting and informative. I love my WQ, which I've been receiving since Fall 2002. Since then I have acquired ALL the WQ issues back to #1 (with 1990 a missing gap). Keep up the great work you all do here! Happy New Year, ~ Scott T. Shier, Michigan

Posted by: Scott Shier | 1/24/11

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and in no way represent the views or opinions of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. This section is moderated by the wilson quarterly staff.

The WQ's Most Read Stories of 2010

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