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The Atavist Magazine

@atavist.com
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One incredible true story every month. Part of Automattic Inc. magazine.atavist.com

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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 5h
When Jenna Smith was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, her parents—a scientist and a lawyer—feared her life might be unbearably short. But they channeled their concern into research and wound up making medical history. Issue 180 from @atavist.com magazine.atavist.com/2026/the-fam...
magazine.atavist.com
The Family That Beat a Rare Incurable Disease
When a little girl in Iowa was diagnosed with an obscure, potentially fatal kidney condition, her parents and their community came together to help her. They wound up making medical history.
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Couldn't be prouder that @atavist.com's story "'There Will Be No Mercy'" by @drewphilp.bsky.social has won the Michael Kelly Award, bestowed today at the @theatlantic.com's annual festival. www.youtube.com/watch?v=n23E...
youtube.com
The Atlantic Presents: The 2026 Michael Kelly Award
YouTube video by The Atlantic
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Longreads @longreads.com · 08/09/2026
"The only way to know that orphans in Gabon were being saved, he thought, was to save them himself." An excerpt from the new @atavist.com issue by Matthew Wolfe, about a robber with a conscience: longreads.com/2026/09/08/a...
longreads.com
The Thief Who Wanted to Save the World - Longreads
"An ex-cop pulled off the largest armed robbery in Austria’s history, with his friend’s mistress as his accomplice. But he wasn’t trying to get rich. He wanted to be a real-life Robin Hood."
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 04/09/2026
A great longread for the long weekend: “Wouldn’t it be right,” Gabriel asked, “to steal something from a bank and give it to the poor?” magazine.atavist.com/2026/the-ble...
magazine.atavist.com
The Ex-Cop Who Stole Millions in a Quest to Become a Real-Life Robin Hood
He pulled off the largest armed robbery in Austria’s history, with his friend’s mistress as his accomplice, to build an orphanage in Africa.
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 31/08/2026
It was the biggest armed robbery in Austria's history. The perpetrators: an ex-cop, and his friend's mistress. But they didn't do it to get rich. They planned to give the money away. magazine.atavist.com/2026/the-ble...
magazine.atavist.com
The Ex-Cop Who Stole Millions in a Quest to Become a Real-Life Robin Hood
He pulled off the largest armed robbery in Austria’s history, with his friend’s mistress as his accomplice, to build an orphanage in Africa.
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
@atavist.com has a project that breaths new life into old stories lost to CMS changes, shuttered publications, and other unfortunate events. We've already published 2 pieces and are always looking for more. Think you have a story that might work? Contact me! magazine.atavist.com/introducing-...
magazine.atavist.com
Breathing New Life Into Old Stories
Introducing Revived.
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Abby Sliva @abbysliva.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
This @atavist.com story has stuck with me for a while now about the uphill battle to gather data on women and children who are murdered by men in acts of femicide.
magazine.atavist.com
14,445 and Counting - The Atavist Magazine
Inside a Texas nurse’s quest to document the life and death of every woman killed by a man in America.
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Longreads @longreads.com · 06/08/2026
"People left the site after their shifts without changing clothes or showering, likely conveying radioactive dust home to their families. Some workers even warmed their lunch on top of machines in hazardous areas." An excerpt from the new @atavist.com issue: longreads.com/2026/08/06/r...
longreads.com
Secrets of the Atomic City - Longreads
"For decades, workers at a nuclear facility in Kentucky were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Management assured them nothing was wrong. Then four friends risked everything to reveal the trut...
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 04/08/2026
Another killer @atavist.com feature, and such a testimony to worker power and community: These friends blew the whistle on unsafe conditions at a facility that put everyone at risk, and this incredible saga needs to be a Netflix series immediately.
magazine.atavist.com
The Whistleblowers Who Exposed Decades of Nuclear Lies
In Paducah, Kentucky, workers at a revered uranium-enrichment plant were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Management assured them nothing was wrong. Then four friends risked everything to rev...
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Rainesford Stauffer @rainesford.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Extraordinary story from the @atavist.com: "Fowler and Deuschle have never shared their story in full—the details of what it was like to live, breathe, and possibly die from their commitment to the truth."
magazine.atavist.com
The Whistleblowers Who Exposed Decades of Nuclear Lies
In Paducah, Kentucky, workers at a revered uranium-enrichment plant were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Management assured them nothing was wrong. Then four friends risked everything to rev...
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 30/07/2026
"Was the dust bad for the environment? Maybe. But everyone at the plant acted like it was harmless. To prove this, a plant manager once sprinkled some on his sandwich and ate it." Issue no. 178, from award-winning writers Holbrook Mohr and Mitch Weiss. magazine.atavist.com/2026/toxic-l...
magazine.atavist.com
The Whistleblowers Who Exposed Decades of Nuclear Lies
In Paducah, Kentucky, workers at a revered uranium-enrichment plant were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Management assured them nothing was wrong. Then four friends risked everything to rev...
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
"What made Jenkins angriest was the memory of waking up each morning to find his bedsheets stained pale green. Residue from the plant had come right out of his pores." The story of 4 friends who risked everything to reveal deadly dangers at a U.S. nuclear site. magazine.atavist.com/2026/toxic-l...
magazine.atavist.com
The Whistleblowers Who Exposed Decades of Nuclear Lies
In Paducah, Kentucky, workers at a revered uranium-enrichment plant were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Management assured them nothing was wrong. Then four friends risked everything to rev...
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Katya Cengel @katyacengel.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Brave reporting by Alex Ronan for the @atavist.com A difficult but important read that makes you think – as good stories do –about what you would do in the same situation. No easy answers here. magazine.atavist.com/2026/pilands...
magazine.atavist.com
The Extremist in the Family
The Kerrs were devoted to one another and to their faith. But when one of their own rejected modern medicine in the name of God, they faced a dire question: What if her children ever needed a doctor t...
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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 12/07/2026
Gawd. If you have the stomach for it, read this, a kind of slow-motion horror story about how fundamentalist religion pulls people in, makes them monsters, destroys their relationships, & traumatizes or kills their children.
magazine.atavist.com
The Extremist in the Family
The Kerrs were devoted to one another and to their faith. But when one of their own rejected modern medicine in the name of God, they faced a dire question: What if her children ever needed a doctor t...
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 09/07/2026
🙏
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 06/07/2026
“It could be easy to say that we were neglectful,” Rachel said as she started to cry, “but this isn’t the end of the story yet.” Twice she said, “This isn’t over.” Twice she insisted, “It’s not too late.” *** A wrenching read on faith, family, and grief. magazine.atavist.com/2026/pilands...
magazine.atavist.com
The Extremist in the Family
The Kerrs were devoted to one another and to their faith. But when one of their own rejected modern medicine in the name of God, they faced a dire question: What if her children ever needed a doctor t...
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
The Pilands let their infant daughter die of an easily preventable illness. Then they waited for God to bring her back to life. A powerful, nuanced story of family, faith, murder, and grief from Alex Ronan. magazine.atavist.com/2026/pilands...
magazine.atavist.com
The Extremist in the Family
The Kerrs were devoted to one another and to their faith. But when one of their own rejected modern medicine in the name of God, they faced a dire question: What if her children ever needed a doctor t...
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Brendan O'Meara @brendanomeara.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Hey! You need to read Alex Ronan's incredible piece for @atavist.com ... THEN, come CNFriday, you're gonna listen to Ep. 535 of ye ol' CNF Pod to hear us break it down. Be forewarned, this story is ... a tough one. Maddening and tragic. magazine.atavist.com/2026/pilands...
magazine.atavist.com
The Extremist in the Family
The Kerrs were devoted to one another and to their faith. But when one of their own rejected modern medicine in the name of God, they faced a dire question: What if her children ever needed a doctor t...
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Katya Cengel @katyacengel.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Not sure how Barry Meier found this story about two girls taken on the run by their parents, but I am glad he did. Another great one from @atavist.com magazine.atavist.com/2026/mccann-...
magazine.atavist.com
The Fugitive Childhood of a Cocaine Smuggler's Daughters
When their parents ripped two young sisters from their privileged lives, gave them fake names, and took them on the lam, they thought it was because their father was in trouble with the IRS. It would ...
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 16/06/2026
🥳
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The Sunday Long Read @thesundaylongread.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Meredith and Erin grew up on the lam, and for a very long time, they had no idea why. It wasn’t until many years later that they discovered the truth about their father. A gripping story by investigative reporter Barry Meier & our top pick this week. magazine.atavist.com/2026/mccann-...
magazine.atavist.com
The Fugitive Childhood of a Cocaine Smuggler's Daughters
When their parents ripped two young sisters from their privileged lives, gave them fake names, and took them on the lam, they thought it was because their father was in trouble with the IRS. It would ...
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 04/06/2026
Thanks for reading! And we love libraries!
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Longreads @longreads.com · 04/06/2026
"The McCanns vanished, as did Sally and Steve. It wasn’t that hard; they were living in the golden age of fugitives." Read an excerpt from the new @atavist.com story by Barry Meier: longreads.com/2026/06/04/c...
longreads.com
The Fugitive Childhood of a Cocaine Smuggler's Daughters - Longreads
"When their parents ripped two young sisters from their privileged lives, gave them fake names, and took them on the lam, they thought it was because their father was in trouble with the IRS. It would...
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Brendan O'Meara @brendanomeara.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Editing my conversation with Mac Montandon. Here's his piece, which originally ran in Gawker in 2013, revived here by @atavist.com
magazine.atavist.com
My Brother's Murder
We hear about the shootings that grab headlines, but what about those that don’t?
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Love to see Carlos Barragan's book on this list. It grew out of "The Romance Scammer on My Sofa," an amazing piece he wrote for @atavist.com: magazine.atavist.com/2023/the-rom... www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/b...
nytimes.com
The Nonfiction Everyone Will Be Reading This Summer
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Sarah Weinman @sarahweinman.com · 02/06/2026
Barry Meier really is one of the best to ever do it, as his latest, for @atavist.com, demonstrates
magazine.atavist.com
The Fugitive Childhood of a Cocaine Smuggler's Daughters
When their parents ripped two young sisters from their privileged lives, gave them fake names, and took them on the lam, they thought it was because their father was in trouble with the IRS. It would ...
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
"Erin’s only hope of learning the truth about the events that had shattered her childhood was getting the boxes before the garbage collectors did." The latest issue of @atavist.com is a real stranger than fiction banger from the great Barry Meier. magazine.atavist.com/2026/mccann-...
magazine.atavist.com
The Fugitive Childhood of a Cocaine Smuggler's Daughters
When their parents ripped two young sisters from their privileged lives, gave them fake names, and took them on the lam, they thought it was because their father was in trouble with the IRS. It would ...
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Mark Armstrong @markarms.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
My Friday newsletter for @niemanstoryboard.org: National Magazine Award winners, @atavist.com @drewphilp.bsky.social @foodandwine.com, @sarahlkaufman.bsky.social niemanstoryboard.org/2026/05/22/s... #booksky #longreads
niemanstoryboard.org
Scenes from National Magazine Award winners - Nieman Storyboard
Plus: More AI cautionary tales, how to create a book x-ray, and a Nieman Fellow's new book on writing
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𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫 @robertmoor.com · 22/05/2026
A thousand congratulations to the great @drewphilp.bsky.social for winning the National Magazine Award in reporting for this harrowing, deeply humane story in @atavist.com . Richly deserved! magazine.atavist.com/2025/there-w... @seywarddarby.bsky.social
magazine.atavist.com
"There Will Be No Mercy": On the Frontlines of War in Ethiopia
When Ethiopia’s government launched a brutal two-year war in Tigray, the region’s largest hospital was overrun with victims. The medical staff risked everything to treat the wounded—and believe the wo...
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Longreads @longreads.com · 21/05/2026
The latest in @atavist.com's Revived series—which breathes new life into stories lost to dead links and shuttered publications—is "A Hollywood Ending" by @maccabeem.bsky.social, originally published by Gawker in 2013. Read the introduction on @longreads.com: longreads.com/2026/05/21/h...
longreads.com
‘Nothing Together’ - Longreads
My brother’s murder and its aftermath.
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Thrilled, honored, and frankly verklempt that @atavist.com won the National Magazine Award for reporting. Congrats to all the winners and nominees, especially in our category—exceptional work all around. Long live magazine journalism. asme.memberclicks.net/asme-announc...
asme.memberclicks.net
ASME Announces National Magazine Awards 2026 Winners
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 17/05/2026
I really love the care, time, and resources that @atavist.com dedicates to their incredible longform narrative features; they are always delicious reads.
magazine.atavist.com
The Undercover Agent Who Posed as a Taxidermist to Bust Colorado's Worst Poachers
The San Luis Valley was a wildlife poacher’s paradise. Then George Morrison arrived.
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
It's a special mid-month issue of @atavist.com—the latest installment in our Revived series, which breathes new life into stories lost to dead links and dead outlets. Thrilled to bring back this 2013 piece from Gawker by @maccabeem.bsky.social. magazine.atavist.com/2026/a-holly...
magazine.atavist.com
My Brother's Murder
We hear about the shootings that grab headlines, but what about those that don’t?
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Freelance Writing Network @freelancewnn.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Pitch (and read!!!) Atavist! They're great. In my personal experience, you also get super valuable feedback from a rejection. Can't speak highly enough of the team there.
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 10/05/2026
PITCH US!
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Rainesford Stauffer @rainesford.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The Atavist is on my "dream publications to pitch someday" list, so if you have a story that needs to be in the 8,000-30,000 words range, you should absolutely pitch so we can all read it:
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 06/05/2026
“Once they got faith in us, we couldn’t get rid of them. I mean, they just would not stop killing.” magazine.atavist.com/2026/san-lui...
magazine.atavist.com
The Undercover Agent Who Posed as a Taxidermist to Bust Colorado's Worst Poachers
The San Luis Valley was a wildlife poacher’s paradise. Then George Morrison arrived.
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 01/05/2026
We haven't done a wide call for pitches in a while. So here we are, calling! Submissions info at this link: magazine.atavist.com/submissions A flavor of our stories here: magazine.atavist.com/archive cc @studyhall.bsky.social
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
“You will have to survive using your own wits, common sense, and the god of your choice.” New @atavist.com story is here! magazine.atavist.com/2026/san-lui...
magazine.atavist.com
The Undercover Agent Who Posed as a Taxidermist to Bust Colorado's Worst Poachers
The San Luis Valley was a wildlife poacher’s paradise. Then George Morrison arrived.
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 23/04/2026
🙏
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 21/04/2026
The team @atavist.com always runs such incredible longform features. This is a great one on the Vietnam anti-war movement that feels especially timely.
magazine.atavist.com
The Young Avengers Who Fought the U.S. War Machine in Their Underwear
With thousands of soldiers dying in Vietnam, a group of friends in New York devised a plan to save lives.
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Katya Cengel @katyacengel.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
These young people believed their relatively peaceful actions could impact policy. A hopeful story about a dark time with an almost too good to be true courtroom scene towards the end that is perfect for the movies. The latest @atavist.com story by Stephen Wood magazine.atavist.com/2026/buffalo...
magazine.atavist.com
The Young Avengers Who Fought the U.S. War Machine in Their Underwear
With thousands of soldiers dying in Vietnam, a group of friends in New York devised a plan to save lives.
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tim d.o' @tee-dee-oh.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
"...Paul was his maternal grandparents’ fiftieth grandchild. Consider yourself advised, right off the bat, that this is a story about Catholics." hell of an opener from the latest Atavist.
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Longreads @longreads.com · 02/04/2026
"He and other peace activists came to view the contents of draft boards’ filing cabinets as no different from bombs or bullets: They were just tools that helped the government kill." Read an excerpt of the new @atavist.com story, by Stephen Wood: longreads.com/2026/04/02/c...
longreads.com
The Good Catholics of Buffalo - Longreads
With thousands of US soldiers dying in Vietnam, a righteous group of young New Yorkers embarked on a secret mission to bring the war machine to its knees.
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Jack El-Hai @jackelhai.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
"Not as secure as they think." Today's #history article pick from Damn History, a free newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to writer Stephen Wood & @atavist.com! Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe magazine.atavist.com/2026/buffalo...
magazine.atavist.com
The Young Avengers Who Fought the U.S. War Machine in Their Underwear
With thousands of soldiers dying in Vietnam, a group of friends in New York devised a plan to save lives.
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The Atavist Magazine @atavist.com · 31/03/2026
A plan as outrageous as it was outrageously simple. A conspiracy to save lives. A righteous violation of the law. Issue no. 173, "The Buffalo Raiders" magazine.atavist.com/2026/buffalo...
magazine.atavist.com
The Young Avengers Who Fought the U.S. War Machine in Their Underwear
With thousands of soldiers dying in Vietnam, a group of friends in New York devised a plan to save lives.
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Seyward Darby @seywarddarby.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
@atavist.com's new story reminded me to have a little faith in humanity. magazine.atavist.com/2026/buffalo...
magazine.atavist.com
The Young Avengers Who Fought the U.S. War Machine in Their Underwear
With thousands of soldiers dying in Vietnam, a group of friends in New York devised a plan to save lives.
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Peter Ward @peterwardjourno.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
For @atavist.com I wrote about The Old Time Sailors, a sea shanty band that rocked up in a small North Wales town led by its dark and mysterious leader, The Captain. It's a weird tale, and, even weirder, my dad is in it. magazine.atavist.com/2026/sea-sha...
magazine.atavist.com
How a Small Welsh Town Tried to Save a Popular Sea Shanty Band from 'the Captain'
When a scraggly band of folk musicians arrived to tour the UK, residents of a small Welsh town were enamored—until they learned that the band's leader ruled with an iron fist.
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s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 08/03/2026
Remember shantytok? This followup is WILD.
magazine.atavist.com
How a Small Welsh Town Tried to Save a Popular Sea Shanty Band from 'the Captain'
When a scraggly band of folk musicians arrived to tour the UK, residents of a small Welsh town were enamored—until they learned that the band's leader ruled with an iron fist.
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Longreads @longreads.com · 05/03/2026
"He sensed tension between the band members and Guzmán, and he noticed that the individual Sailors seemed to be scraping by." An excerpt from the new @atavist.com issue by Peter Ward—about the dark secret of a ShantyTok folk band: longreads.com/2026/03/05/s...
longreads.com
The Dark and Stormy Tale of a ShantyTok Band - Longreads
When a scraggly band of folk musicians arrived to tour the UK, residents of a small Welsh town were enamored—until they learned that the band’s leader ruled with an iron fist.
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