Best American Magazine Writing 2017

The power of journalism is highlighted in this year's anthology of National Magazine Awards finalists and winners, which include pieces on the carceral system, parenting, the University of Texas Tower mass shooting, the election, Obama's foreign policy legacy, democracy, Roger Ailes's predations, and nature expeditions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2017
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The power of journalism is on full display in this year's anthology of National Magazine Awards finalists and winners. The pieces, written by journalists driven to explore America's fault lines, offer a timely reminder of the importance of journalism in a world where it is under fire.

Shane Bauer's My Four Months as a Private Prison Guard (Mother Jones) is a harrowing account of the abuses within the carceral system. It provides a visceral portrait of the lives of those trapped within its walls. Sarah Stillman's article, "The Harsh Reality of Sex-Offender Registries," (The New Yorker) sheds light on the devastating impact these registries have on young people's lives, often ruining their chances of a normal and fulfilling life.

In two different considerations of parenting, Nikole Hannah-Jones explores the challenges of finding a school for her daughter in a rapidly changing, racially divided Brooklyn (New York Times Magazine). Michael Chabon takes his thirteen-year-old son to Fashion Week in Paris (GQ), showcasing the complexities of father-son relationships.

Pamela Colloff delves into the aftermath of the 1966 University of Texas Tower mass shooting, which changed the course of one survivor's life (Texas Monthly). Siddhartha Mukherjee paints a poignant portrait of the art and agony of oncology in his article "The Cancer Patient as Artist" (New York Times Magazine).

Other selections in the anthology address the shocks of the election, including Matt Taibbi's irreverent dispatches from the campaign trail (Rolling Stone) and George Saunders' captivating account of Trump's rallies (The New Yorker). Jeffrey Goldberg engages in a thoughtful conversation with President Obama about his foreign-policy legacy (The Atlantic). Andrew Sullivan expresses concerns about the future of democracy (New York). Gabriel Sherman reveals the women of Fox News' role in bringing to light Roger Ailes's predations (New York).

Rebecca Solnit contributes a wide-ranging Harper's commentary, Becca Rothfeld ponders women waiting from The Odyssey to Tinder (Hedgehog Review), and bold expeditions into nature are featured. David Quammen ventures to Yellowstone to consider the future of wild places (National Geographic), and Mac McCle's article explores the impact of climate change on the Arctic (National Geographic).

These powerful and thought-provoking pieces showcase the resilience and dedication of journalists in the face of adversity. They remind us of the importance of investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, and the ability to shed light on the hidden corners of society. The National Magazine Awards serve as a testament to the power of journalism and the impact it can have on our understanding of the world.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 136 x 204 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231181594