Stories, too good to put down

A collection of some of the best links from around the web, manually curated.

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The Really Big One


Guest curated by Tim Urban

Americans associate earthquakes with California’s San Andreas Fault. But only recently did scientists discover that the big, big earthquake will hit America’s Pacific Northwest. When it does, it will be by far the most devastating natural disaster in US history. Massive earthquakes in that region occur every 243 years on average, but it’s been 315 years since last one. The Pacific Northwest is due.

From Weekly Filet #217, in July 2015.

The Wetsuitman

One of those rare stories that captivate you right from the start and never let you go. Last winter, two bodies washed ashore in Norway and the Netherlands. They were wearing identical wetsuits. The police never managed to identify them. This journalist did. A sad, true story, masterly reported and told.

From Weekly Filet #214, in June 2015.

The Untold Story of Silk Road

The thrilling story of the obscure online marketplace Silk Road, often referred to as the Ebay for drugs. Created by one man in 2011, it created more than 1 billion dollars in sales before it was shut down by the FBI (but not before Silk Road’s founder allegedly hired a hitman to kill one of his employees the FBI had tracked down). Great reporting, great storytelling. This is part one, part two will be released on May 14.

From Weekly Filet #206, in May 2015.

Thomas Quick: the Swedish serial killer who never was

Forget about Stig Larsson, this is a real Skandinavian crime thriller. Thomas Quick was Sweden’s most notorious serial killer, having confessed to more than 30 murders. Until, well until a documentary filmer took a closer look and found that no evidence linked Quick to any of those murders. Quick had simply fooled the police and judges. But why? Read the piece, and you’ll know. Great read.

From Weekly Filet #90, in November 2012.

Resurrecting The Champ

A captivating story of a fallen boxing champion, told in what’s journalism at its best. Frist of all, you don’t need to be into boxing to appreciate this article, as it is not about boxing at all, but about how things in life can go all wrong pretty quickly. While the story of “The Champ” itself is already worth your attention, the way it is told is what makes it really shine. The article is basically a making-of of itself, with the author candidly mixing in his personal story and his feelings while reporting someone else’s story. Surely one of the best pieces I’ve read all year.

From Weekly Filet #35, in September 2011.

Here Be Monsters

How desperate a situation do you need to be in to consider killing and eating your friend to survive? Read this article and you will know. This a captivating and gruelling story of three teenagers who were lost in the Pacific Ocean for an incredible 51 days. A travel to the abysses of humanity that started with a bottle of Vodka.

From Weekly Filet #20, in May 2011.

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