In recent years, several books have attempted to piece together what really happened behind the doors of power in Ireland's Magdalene laundries, including Emer Martin’s novel 'The Cruelty Men,' Claire Keegan’s novella 'Small Things Like These,' and new collection of essays, 'A Dublin Magdalene Laundry: Donnybrook and Church-State Power in Ireland,' edited by Mark Coen, Katherine O’Donnell and Maeve O’Rourke.

It was touted as a sedative with no hangover. It was hailed as non-addictive. It was rumored to present no side effects. It was trumpeted in medical journal ads as “astonishingly safe” and “completely non-poisonous.”

To be the writerly son of a writerly father is not always the easiest vocation. When that parent is as famous as Andre Dubus, it must be doubly difficult. But who knows: Maybe it can make for great art? One might ask Andre Dubus III.

Pope Francis mentioned Teilhard de Chardin, S.J., at the close of his Mass in Ulaanbaatar on Sunday. Might this mean the great priest-paleontologist is finally being recognized by the Vatican for his genius?

Saint Augustine still captures our imaginations 16 centuries after he lived. What is it about this theologian, philosopher, preacher and memoirist that makes him such a perennial favorite?

The dog days of August are also the first week of school for millions of students, parents and teachers. Want some advice on how to handle it? Generations of America contributors have had thoughts on the subject.