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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 4.1/5 Stars.
 25

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

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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.
 76

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 3.1/5 Stars.
 8

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.
 264

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

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.
 64

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

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

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.
 264

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, Paperback

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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