As the U.S. military steps up attacks on insurgent forces in Afghanistan, it's a good time to review the unhappy history of that land and its would-be conquerors dating to Alexander the Great. (Today)

Book review of "The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential ... in Business and in Life" by Leo Babauta (Today)

This weekend offers stargazers one last good opportunity to pull out their telescopes and view Saturn's narrowing rings before they go dark and Saturn slides down into the evening twilight. (Today)

Much of the popular history of America written these days focuses on three wars -- the Revolutionary, the Civil and World War II -- and the trend shows no sign of flagging. (Yesterday)

Colm Toibin has done something so quietly beautiful in his newest novel that it may, at first, confuse readers. (Yesterday)