Dispatch

The Most-Read Articles of 2009

In a year of financial upheaval, it’s not surprising to see which Atlantic print articles drew the most online attention. Four of our ten most-read stories were about the economy. The others dealt with the kinds of meaning-of-life issues that loom large as fortunes fade. What is the secret of happiness? Why do so many marriages fail? How can we stave off illness and death? And do world leaders have a human side?

There's a bright spot in the midst of all of this brooding: the online popularity of these long-form stories is proof that intellectual curiosity is alive and well. Joshua Wolf Shenk’s report on happiness, which drew 1.6 million page views, clocked in at more than 11,000 words. So did David Goldhill’s extensive essay on health care, which attracted more than a million clicks. Americans might have slimmer wallets than in years past. But our appreciation for deep, thoughtful writing appears to be as full as ever.

—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz