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Stephen Colbert received an anti-censorship award at the 47th annual American Book Awards, presented by the Before Columbus Foundation. The honor follows CBS’s decision to end The Late Show, whose prominent criticism of Donald Trump made it an important political platform; CBS cited economic reasons, which Colbert and others have questioned. The foundation also recognized several literary works and figures, including Nicholas Boggs, Adela Najarro, Karen Tei Yamashita, Mitchell Kaplan, Morgan Entrekin and Roger Malina.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has earned strong reviews and a substantial global opening, while increasing public interest in Homer and translations such as Emily Wilson’s 2017 edition. Wilson and Daniel Mendelsohn admire the film’s ambition and visual spectacle but argue that Nolan sacrifices essential elements of Homer’s poem, including Odysseus’s wit, the gods’ roles and the emotional credibility of his marriage to Penelope. They contend that the director turns Odysseus into a familiar Nolan protagonist—tormented and guilt-ridden—while the film’s treatment of war, cowardice and sentimentality is thematically inconsistent.

John Dickinson’s reputation as a cautious opponent of declaring independence has overshadowed his substantial influence on early American political thought and nation-building. Historian Jane Calvert and other scholars argue for reassessing his role, noting his widely read essays, authorship of early patriotic writing, and significant service during and after the Revolution. While some historians acknowledge his achievements but still place him below major founders, supporters contend that his principled reluctance in 1776 has unfairly diminished his legacy. Despite criticism from figures such as John Adams and later historians, Dickinson remains a key yet underappreciated contributor to America’s founding and early governance.

Thomas Jefferson’s legacy is reexamined as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, highlighting contradictions between his ideals of equality and his life as a slaveholder. Historians note his ideological malleability, with figures across political eras invoking him to support opposing views. Institutions he founded or influenced, such as the University of Virginia and Monticello, now grapple with presenting a fuller history that includes the experiences of enslaved people. Contemporary debates on race, immigration and national identity continue to shape how Jefferson is interpreted, while visitors seek personal understanding through engagement with his complex legacy.