The Atavist Magazine

One incredible true story every month. Part of the @automattic family, and sister publication to @longreads.

[Evan Ratliff @ev_rat]

RIP Brian Wilson, musical genius and cultural treasure. Years ago, @atavist resurfaced the late Jules Siegel's legendary 1967 profile of Wilson, first published in Cheetah magazine, as Wilson was struggling to complete Smile:

[Jack El-Hai @Jack_ElHai]

"A narrow notch."

Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to writer @cassidyjrandall & @atavist!

Read/subscribe to Damn History: https://t.co/fue2o3nUz1

https://t.co/gINmhEuU0q

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Lena Rowat skied 1,600 grueling miles across the Coast Range to quiet her demons. But she didn’t begin to silence them until tragedy struck. Atavist no. 163, by @cassidyjrandall, is here. https://t.co/TY9qgURtF9

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Thrilled that we've won the 2025 MOLLY National Journalism Prize. (In their words, "this annual contest celebrates the best in impactful, accountability reporting and narrative storytelling.") Congrats @RNatourious and @emangaza48!

[Texas Observer @TexasObserver]

Winner: @RNatourious and @emangaza48 for "Coming to America," published in @atavist.

https://t.co/96ChawSXLK

🧵(2/5)

[Miranda Green @mirandacgreen]

I'm excited to finally share an investigation I've been working on for over a year.

It's a piece that started in New York's diamond district, took me to the heart of celebrity in Beverly Hills and taught me a lot about the legal system and crypto in Miami.

I hope you enjoy

[Longreads @Longreads]

The new issue from our sister publication, @atavist, is here! Read an excerpt of ALL THAT GLITTERS, a big story by @mirandacgreen about NYPD corruption, diamonds, a crypto scam, and more.

https://t.co/XKsQOuQ91B

[ScrippsHowardAwards @SH_Awards]

Congratulations to @atavist for being named a #SHJAwards finalist in Excellence in Narrative Human-Interest Storytelling, honoring Ernie Pyle, for "Coming to America.”

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Thrilling news: Our story "Coming to America" has been shortlisted for the Refugee Reporting category of the One World Media Awards. Congrats to writer @RNatourious and photographer @emangaza48—and all the other shortlisted journalists!

https://t.co/YIV8ChrbjF

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

[Stefan voice] This one has it all: NYPD corruption, Floyd Mayweather Jr., diamonds, Kim Kardashian, crypto, alleged Ponzi schemes, an enormous house with an in-ground trampoline.

Issue no. 162 from @mirandacgreen, ALL THAT GLITTERS, is here.

https://t.co/bNaDlFRIIZ

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Before our next issue drops this week, check out our subscriber-only photo essay from @yam2803 on the outdoorsmen keeping an ancient tradition alive in the mountains of Central Asia.

https://t.co/4rHVJMD1Ac

[Overseas Press Club @opcofamerica]

Tonight, we celebrate @RNatourious and @emangaza48 for winning the Madeline Dane Ross Award for their work in the @atavist, titled “Coming to America.” Watch acceptance remarks here: https://t.co/o02IiN0Mf0 #OPCAwards86

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

We couldn't be more thrilled to have "Coming to America" recognized with a National Magazine Award. @RNatourious and @emangaza48 told Layan Al Baz's story with empathy and heart, and the result is everything journalism can be. Thank you, ASME!

https://t.co/2PboenToUR

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Teens everywhere dreamed of being part of The Squad—but not everything was as it seemed. The docuseries "Bad Influence," based on our story "Crushed," premieres on Netflix today. https://t.co/3ZnRzES4JP

[Longreads @Longreads]

"Since the race’s inception, nine pilots had perished from mountainside crashes, unexpected plummets, or rogue lightning storms."

An excerpt from the new @atavist story, "The Balloon that Fell from the Sky," by @NickGDavidson: https://t.co/Cn2GwiTx0t

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Ballooning's biggest race pushes teams to fly as far as possible before landing. Thirty years ago, two of those teams drifted into Belarusian airspace. Only one survived.

From @NickGDavidson comes Atavist no. 161: "The Balloon that Fell from the Sky."
https://t.co/e9yWsk57wo

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s doomed journey to the South Pole captivated the world. But hidden within the legend was a story that has never been told—a love affair between two of the crew who survived. From @llegrarosenberg, it's Atavist no. 160:

https://t.co/ZquyySjz6s

[The Atavist Magazine @atavist]

We're thrilled as well—congratulations, Rhana!

[Rhana Natour @RNatourious]

Thrilled to learn that our @atavist piece "Coming To America" is a National Magazine Award finalist! Thank you to ASME for the honor & to the incredible Layan Albaz for sharing her story. Editor: @seywarddarby, photography: @emangaza48. https://t.co/UDftKBog7M

[Longreads @Longreads]

"Tension had simmered between the federal and Tigrayan governments in recent months, but Saba couldn’t fathom that anyone in power would be 'stupid enough to start a war.'” @drewphilp @atavist

https://t.co/THzJGS6q0w

[Teklehaymanot G. Weldemichel @TeklehaymanotG]

Can't share this important article enough. It's a window into what life under the hell of the #TigrayGenocide looks like.

Survivors maybe walking around with straight face on, but Saba's story here is a representation of what everyone is going through.

[Drewphilp @drewphilp]

It’s been one of the deadliest wars of the 21st century and could amount to a genocide— and you may have never even heard of it.

Read my piece two-years-in-the-making for @atavist