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Book Awards » National Book Award - General Nonfiction

National Book AwardCategories: Poetry, Young Reader's Literature, General Nonfiction, Literary Fiction
The National Book Awards were first awarded in 1950 by a consortium of American book publishers. The mission of the nonprofit National Book Foundation, which now oversees the awards, is to “celebrate the best of American literature, expand its audience, and to enhance cultural value of good writing in America”. The awards are presented each Fall in 4 genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people’s literature. Winners receive a $10,000 cash prize and a crystal sculpture.

2020
The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X
The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X
Author: Les Payne, Tamara Payne
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

2019
The Yellow House
The Yellow House
Author: Sarah M. Broom
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 3

Other Versions: Paperback

2018
The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke
The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke
Author: Jeffrey C. Stewart
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

2017
The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia
The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia
Author: Masha Gessen
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2

Other Versions: Paperback

2015
Between the World and Me
Between the World and Me
Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 24

Other Versions: Hardcover

2014
Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China
Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China
Author: Evan Osnos
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 3

Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD, Paperback, Audio CD (Unabridged)

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2013
The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Author: George Packer
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 4

Other Versions: Audio CD (Unabridged), Paperback

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2012
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
Author: Katherine Boo
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 42

Other Versions: Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback

2011
The Swerve: How the World Became Modern
The Swerve: How the World Became Modern
Author: Stephen Greenblatt
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 6

Other Versions: Hardcover, Paperback

2010
Just Kids
Just Kids
Author: Patti Smith
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 75

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback

2009
The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt
The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt
Author: T.J. Stiles
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

2008
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family
Author: Annette Gordon-Reed
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 7

Other Versions: Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio CD (MP3 Una)

2007
Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA
Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA
Author: Tim Weiner
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 11

Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback

2006
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
Author: Timothy Egan
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 203

Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio CD (Library ed.), Audio CD (MP3)

2005
The Year of Magical Thinking
The Year of Magical Thinking
Author: Joan Didion
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 300

Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio CD (Abridged), Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback

2004
Arc of Justice : A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age
Arc of Justice : A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age
Author: Kevin Boyle
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 9

Other Versions: Audio CD, Audio Cassette, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback

2003
Waiting for Snow in Havana : Confessions of a Cuban Boy
Waiting for Snow in Havana : Confessions of a Cuban Boy
Author: Carlos Eire
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 62

Other Versions: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD (Unabridged,Unabridge), Audio CD (Unabridged,MP3 - Una)

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2002
Master of the Senate : The Years of LBJ, Vol. III
Master of the Senate : The Years of LBJ, Vol. III
Author: Robert A. Caro
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 5

Other Versions: Hardcover

2001
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression
Author: Andrew Solomon
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 22

Other Versions: Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio CD (Abridged), Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback

2000
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
Author: Nathaniel Philbrick
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 263

Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback

1999
Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II
Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II
Author: John W. Dower
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 11

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover

1998
Slaves in the Family
Slaves in the Family
Author: Edward Ball
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 54

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Cassette, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover

1997
American Sphinx : The Character of Thomas Jefferson
American Sphinx : The Character of Thomas Jefferson
Author: Joseph J. Ellis
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 39

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD (Unabridged), Paperback, Paperback

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1996
An American Requiem : God, My Father, and the War That Came Between Us
An American Requiem : God, My Father, and the War That Came Between Us
Author: James Carroll
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 12

Other Versions: Hardcover

1995
The Haunted Land : Facing Europe's Ghosts After Communism
The Haunted Land : Facing Europe's Ghosts After Communism
Author: Tina Rosenberg
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 8

Other Versions: Paperback

1994
How We Die : Reflections on Life's Final Chapter
How We Die : Reflections on Life's Final Chapter
Author: Sherwin B. Nuland
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 31

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback

1993
The United States : Essays 1952-1992
The United States : Essays 1952-1992
Author: Gore Vidal
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 3

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover

1992
Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story
Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story
Author: Paul Monette
  • Currently 2.8/5 Stars.
 2

Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover

1991
Freedom
Freedom
Author: Orlando Patterson
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover

1990
The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance
The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance
Author: Ron Chernow
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 5

Other Versions: Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged)

1989
From Beirut to Jerusalem
From Beirut to Jerusalem
Author: Thomas L. Friedman
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 63

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback

1988
A Bright Shining Lie : John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam
A Bright Shining Lie : John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam
Author: Neil Sheehan
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 11

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback

1987
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
Author: Richard Rhodes
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 11

Other Versions: Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback

1986
Arctic Dreams
Arctic Dreams
Author: Barry Lopez
  • Currently 2.9/5 Stars.
 5

Other Versions: Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback

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1985
Common Ground : A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families
Common Ground : A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families
Author: J. Anthony Lukas
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 10

Other Versions: Paperback

1984
Andrew Jackson: The Course of American Democracy, 1833-1845 (Andrew Jackson)
Andrew Jackson: The Course of American Democracy, 1833-1845 (Andrew Jackson)
Author: Robert V. Remini
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 1

Other Versions: Paperback

1983
Henry James: The Conquest of London, 1870-1881 (Life of Henry James, Bk 2)
Henry James: The Conquest of London, 1870-1881 (Life of Henry James, Bk 2)
Author: Leon Edel
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

1982

 No Award Given

1964

 No Award Given

1963
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
Author: Nathaniel Philbrick
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 263

Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback

1962
The City in History: Its Origins, Its Transformations, and Its Prospects
The City in History: Its Origins, Its Transformations, and Its Prospects
Author: Lewis Mumford
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover

1961
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich : A History of Nazi Germany
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich : A History of Nazi Germany
Author: William L. Shirer
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 9

Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged), Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover

1960
James Joyce (Oxford Lives S.)
James Joyce (Oxford Lives S.)
Author: Richard Ellmann
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 2

Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio CD (Unabridged), Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover, Hardcover

1959
Mistress to an Age: A Life of Madame de Stael (Time Reading Program Special Edition)
Mistress to an Age: A Life of Madame de Stael (Time Reading Program Special Edition)
Author: J. Christopher Herold
  ?

1958
The Lion and the Throne: The Life and Times of Sir Edward Coke : 1552-1634
The Lion and the Throne: The Life and Times of Sir Edward Coke : 1552-1634
Author: Catherine Drinker Bowen
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1

Other Versions: Paperback

1957
Russia Leaves the War: Soviet-American Relations 1917-1920 Vol. 1
Russia Leaves the War: Soviet-American Relations 1917-1920 Vol. 1
Author: George F. Kennan
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

1956
American in Italy
American in Italy
Author: Herbert Kubly
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

1955
Measure of Man on Freedom, Human Values, Survival and the Modern Temper
Measure of Man on Freedom, Human Values, Survival and the Modern Temper
Author: Joseph Wood Krutch
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback

1954
A Stillness at Appomattox (Army of the Potomac, Bk 3)
A Stillness at Appomattox (Army of the Potomac, Bk 3)
Author: Bruce Catton
  ?

Other Versions: Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover

1953
The Course of Empire
The Course of Empire
Author: Bernard DeVoto
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 2

Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback

1952
The Sea Around Us
The Sea Around Us
Author: Rachel Carson
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1

Other Versions: Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover

1951
Herman Melville (American Men of Letters Series)
Herman Melville (American Men of Letters Series)
Author: Newton Arvin
  ?

Other Versions: Hardcover

1950
The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Author: Ralph L. Rusk
  ?

Other Versions: Hardcover
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