On the RTRP blog, Rick Brookhiser asks what articles in the first 54 years of NR’s history are “must reads.” Oddly, he didn’t include the last piece I wrote for the magazine. I assume he hasn’t gotten to it yet. Even so, he offers a very good list. Here are four that make mine:

1. The mission statement in the first issue–you know, the one about standing athwart history and all that. I know, this can’t fail to make such a list, but Rick doesn’t mention it. Maybe because it’s so darn obvious. But that’s like releaseing a greatest hits album by The Who and not including “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” You’ve heard it a zillion times, but it remains a classic.

2. The editorial on Roe v. Wade on its 25th anniversary. If memory serves, this appeared in the first issue edited by Rich Lowry.

3. The essay by Allan Bloom that formed the basis of The Closing of the American Mind. The book is usually better than the movie, and in this case the book is better than the article. But the article got it started, and it shows how a little piece in a magazine can go on to make a big impact.

4. Rick is too modest, so I’ll include it: “The Numinous Negro,” by Mr. Brookhiser himself, August 20, 2001. The world was about to change, but this piece has staying power.