The Real Problem with Chicago's Shrinking Population
Recent Census numbers aren't as bad as they sound—except for one major factor. Since 1980, Chicago has lost more than a quarter of its black population.
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With Friends Like These …
They’ve rattled two of the biggest local projects in years—the Lucas museum and Obama library. How did Friends of the Parks become so powerful?
Why Anita Alvarez Is Still a Frontrunner
Think the embattled state’s attorney doesn’t stand a chance in the March primary? Think again.
Can Kamau Murray Build the Next Serena?
The tennis guru is on a mission to improve the lives of South Side kids. His tactic: helping them master the game so they can land college scholarships—or more.
On the Way
Sitting on a small campaign jet during Barack Obama's 2004 race for the U.S. Senate, I found myself lost in thought. The candidate, dressed in a crisp white shirt and...
The Worry
In the formative stages of Barack Obama's fame, no topic would make him or his aides more uncomfortable than his personal safety. When I first broached the subject, in July...
The Teachings of Toot
Save for his mother, no one in Barack Obama's life was more influential in shaping his character than his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, known affectionately among the family as "Toot." "I...
The Jealousy Factor
It's hard to say exactly when the moment arrived, but well into Wednesday's final presidential debate John McCain must have realized that he was not "whipping" Barack Obama's "you-know-what" and,...
The Fear Card
As the first biographer of Barack Obama, I have often found myself in a position where few journalists find comfort: defending the honor of a politician. Yet, over the past...
The Temperament Debate
Can a contest for the world's most important public office get any more uncertain than this? For all of his seriousness and sobriety, Barack Obama consistently seems to find himself...