Esquire
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A Timeline of the Top-Selling Christmas Gifts... Ever.
A year-by-year look back at the must-have presents that changed childhoods forever, and a whole lot of Elmo.<p>Remember the Furby? Tickle Me Elmo? How about Beanie Babies? We collected the hottest gifts that drove parents crazy throughout the decades. And if you were one of the lucky recipients of any …
Why Aretha Franklin Meant So Much to Barack Obama
The Queen of Soul and the former president had a long relationship.<p>Just moments into the late Aretha Franklin's powerful rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, attendee Barack Obama was wiping tears from his eyes.<p>In a clip of the powerful moment, …
Aretha FranklinThis Super-Luxe Book Collection Is the Perfect Gift for a Fashion-Loving Bibliophile
Loewe's new box set is what happens when you say, "Books, but make it fashion."<p>Loewe, the luxury fashion label best known for its use of superb leathers, is getting sentimental this fall. The brand is launching a set of limited-edition classic books—and they are <i>pretty</i>. The hardcovers are …
BooksSome States Are Very Committed to Killing People
Nebraska's use of fentanyl for an execution is certifiably macabre.<p><i>(Permanent Musical Accompaniment To This Post)</i><p><i>Being our semi-regular weekly survey of what's goin' down in the several states where, as we know, the real work of governmentin' gets done, and where she's bound to put a blanket on</i> …
IowaDoes Donald Trump Know Who Aretha Franklin Was?
His response to the legendary singer's death is confusing and appalling.<p>By this point, it's been very clearly established that Donald Trump is not very good at much of anything. He is not a terribly smart man, and, by most accounts, also not a well man. And today, as the world mourns Aretha …
Donald TrumpAretha Franklin's Only Film Role Was Legendary
She almost didn't make it into The Blues Brothers.<p>Aretha Franklin, who died Thursday at 76, earned her title as Queen of Soul for her enduring anthems like "Respect" and "Think." And the music legend also sang those songs in her first and only fictional movie role, starring in the 1980 movie <i>The</i> …
Aretha FranklinA Renowned Survival Expert Has Some Advice for Making It Out of the Trump Administration Alive
Laurence Gonzales wrote the books on survival—and he's never been more scared in his life.<p>It's a sign of the times that when looking for a light summer read, I turned to Laurence Gonzales's 2003 book, <i>Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why</i>, about thrill-seekers and bad-luck sufferers trying to …
Donald TrumpThis Dude Chewed and Swallowed a Hunk of Bloody Meat to Terrorize Vegans at a Vegan Festival
Let's hear it for reasonable discourse.<p>Last weekend in Amsterdam, some folks interested in vegan lifestyles gathered to eat vegan dishes and share vegan thoughts at a vegan food festival. It was a nice enough scene. Naturally, a man sporting a blond ponytail and a "Go vegan and die" tank top joined …
DietsThe Voice of God Is Aretha Franklin
She harnessed the spirit of the choir to craft songs on life and love and yes, respect.<p><i>(Optional Video Accompaniment To This Post)</i><p><i>I have to tell you, the voice of God, if you really want to know, is Aretha Franklin.</i><p>—Marianne Faithfull<p>Modern Christian music bugs the hell out of me, you should pardon …
Aretha FranklinNewspapers Have Faced Down Dictators, So They Should Face Down This Obvious Clown
In an alliance of editorials, they're also coming to grips with their own shortcomings.<p><i>Congress shall make no law...</i><p>To tell you the truth, I was preparing to mock the idea of a couple hundred newspapers' getting together all at the same time to punch back at <i>El Caudillo del Mar-a-Lago.</i> It seems like …
JournalismTrump's Supreme Court Pick Could Be Seated Just in Time for a Massive Conflict of Interest
This seems like a concern in a society governed by the rule of law.<p>Of the many dog-and-pony shows currently mid-performance in and around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, The Interview Negotiations are among the more farcical. The crack legal team representing Donald J. Trump, American president, are …
Donald Trump‘Respect’ Was Originally Written by Otis Redding—But Aretha Franklin Made It Legendary
Her most famous song has a surprising history.<p>Legendary artist Aretha Franklin passed away Thursday morning after several days in hospice care, a representative confirmed to the AP. Though the 76-year-old is gone, she will continue to live on through her music, which included hits like “Natural …
Soul MusicAretha Franklin Won't You Come Home?
At her best, The Queen of Soul has a fullness of tone that can upend small objects.<p>Aretha Franklin died Thursday at the age of 76. Below is Charlie Haas' March 1982 profile of the Queen of Soul. Read Esquire's full obituary here.<p><i>"Hey Nineteen, That's 'Retha Franklin. She don't remember the Queen of</i> …
Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin's Most Unforgettable Vocal Performances
Her voice inspired social change and brought world leaders to tears.<p>Aretha Franklin is impossible to define. In a time when everything is iconic and stunning and must-see, none of those words seem to do her justice because Franklin's legacy transcends vocabulary words. Instead, maybe the best way …
MusicAretha Franklin's Voice Changed History. Its Power Will Never Be Forgotten.
The Queen of Soul has died at the age of 76.<p>Aretha Franklin's career soundtracked the greatest moments of change in the postwar United States and, more than once, captivated a nation divided by its prejudices. Demanding attention, understanding, and <i>r-e-s-p-e-c-t</i>, her songs became anthems for the …
MusicKelsey Grammer Got Tattooed Near His Balls So He Wouldn't Cheat on His Wife
And you thought romance was dead.<p>Kelsey Grammer has his wife's name tattooed on a genital-adjacent patch of skin where it's not likely to be seen by the general public. And like all tragic tattoos, there's an equally tragic backstory.<p>Grammer was famously married to a Real Housewife of Beverly …
Beverly HillsDonald Glover and Rihanna Are Reportedly Working on a Secret Film Project
Or they're just having fun in Cuba with Atlanta director Hiro Murai.<p>Donald Glover's had a pretty damn good run for the last year or so: Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes, <i>Star Wars</i>, etc. The only thing missing? How about a collaboration with Rihanna? That might be the next thing for Glover, as a photo …
Donald GloverElizabeth Warren Put a Stake in the Ground. We Should Pay Close Attention.
If corporations want to be treated like people then they should be punished like them, too.<p>It is not often that you see a politician put a stake in the ground, run a big bright flag up it, and declare that this is where I stand, dammit. This is what Senator Professor Warren, a daughter of Oklahoma, …
Middle-classEvery Argument Against Idris Elba Playing James Bond Is Bullshit
There's no reason why the actor can't play the iconic character.<p>Last week, rumors began to circulate that James Bond producers were strongly considering Idris Elba to play the iconic character of 007. Even Elba himself had a little fun with the rumors, posting a couple of harmless tweets. But …
James Bond3 Can't-Miss Ways to Wear a Jean Jacket Right Now
No matter your style.<p>The denim jacket may have roots in workwear, but nowadays it's become a different beast entirely. It's not just a classic, it's remarkably versatile—if you know how to style it the right way. That's where we come in. We've pulled together three different ways to wear one jean …
Men's FashionMatt Groening Just Keeps Going
The creator of The Simpsons and Futurama extends his cartoon multiverse into the realm of hard-drinking princesses and neurotic elves with Disenchantment.<p>Matt Groening will forever be known as the guy behind <i>The Simpsons,</i> now the longest-running prime-time scripted series in television history. Hey, …
Matt GroeningShia LaBeouf, Sleazelord, Eats a Steak Bare Handed in a Suit
If you think you can make him use cutlery, you don't understand the Summer of Sleaze.<p>Shia LaBeouf, your timing is impeccable.<p>Just as we at Esquire named the summer of 2018 The Summer of Sleaze, the menswear god and Sleaze Mt. Rushmore shoe-in got himself photographed in quite the sleaze-adjacent …
Donald Trump JrDo Better Than Rum and Coke This National Rum Day
Everything you need to make Hemingway proud.<p><i>These are the</i> Esquire Essentials<i>, pieces you need to take a road trip, throw a party, or otherwise rise to the occasion.</i><p>We're here to broaden your rum horizons beyond Captain Morgan and Diet Coke mixers. Not that those are necessarily bad things. But …
RumThere Are Vacations and There Are Getaways. It's Time You Took the Getaway.
Everything you need to make a successful escape—even if it's only for a few days.<p>For the sake of my blood pressure, I needed to get out of America.<p>My eyes turned to Mexico. What better way to answer the hatred and vitriol directed at the country than by spending my hard-earned American green there? …
Social MediaAnsel Elgort: How I Got My Style
From his first big purchase, to his go-to footwear.<p>If you give Ansel Elgort a pair of sneakers, he's going to want another pair. And another. And another. When it comes to the 24-year-old Brooklynite's look, sneakers play a huge part. They're a cornerstone, really. We caught up with the star of <i>Baby</i> …
Ralph LaurenClearance-Gate Is Nothing But Amusing
President Trump revoked John Brennan's security clearance. So what?<p>Well, this is some petty, banana-republic bullshit, isn't it? From <i>The New York Times</i>:<p>Mr. Trump’s decision to revoke Mr. Brennan’s security clearance was announced by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary. Ms. …
Donald TrumpOur Large Adult Leader Is Going After Everybody Who Dissed Him
His reasoning for revoking John Brennan's security clearance will melt your brain.<p>Omarosa and Paul Manafort are occupying far too many headlines for the liking of Donald Trump, American president. So it's time for some next-level <i>Mean Girls</i> behavior from our large, adult leader. What better way to …
Donald TrumpYou Can Bathe in Beer at This Resort in Japan
A new twist on your sad beer shower.<p>If you've grown tired of regular beer showers—the kind where you drink an ice cold beer while standing in the shower—how about going for a beer bath? This one will actually have you lying in a vat of beer.<p>As <i>Us Weekly</i> reports, the Hinotani Onsen is a hot spring …
Trails9 Best Gifts for Whisky Lovers
A modern whisky drinker deserves to drink it in style.<p>Whisky is not something that can be rushed in how it's made—or how it's enjoyed. So why not appreciate it even more with innovative barware that highlights the drink's barrel-aged craftsmanship? Here are nine gifts for the modern whisky lover, …
West ElmExclusive: Get Timex + Todd Snyder's New Vintage-Inspired Watch a Full Day Early
The Beekman officially launches tomorrow. But you can get it today.<p>The hits just keep on comin' from the partnership between Timex and Todd Snyder. The latest is a new model called the Beekman, which was inspired by a vintage style Snyder found while perusing the watchmaker's (extensive) archive. …
Vintage