Nell Lake

This tour de force pursues two basic lines of narrative: a more intimate story in an Illinois gas station, where its workers struggle and customers complain as gas prices climb.…

We admired the lively writing in this piece and Lake’s smart take on its subject. More than just an entertaining story about a man with an unusual job, it’s got…

This is a piece with a somewhat boilerplate topic: a child in need of radical surgery and her mother’s emotional struggles. But we thought Theriault did well in reporting for…

While we wished for a central character to focus this narrative, we enjoyed its overall drive—and its fresh topic. We loved the strong voice in the line, “What followed defies…

This short narrative tells a wonderful, heartwarming tale; it’s built on essential, particular details; it pursues themes—in this case, of generosity, goodwill and small-town charm. Add Barry’s genius for structuring…

This deadline narrative takes an interesting tack: Given sole access to the 15-year-old girl married to a man accused of raping her, Kenney writes her story from the girl’s point…

In this investigative piece, Rozen traces contacts between members and affiliates of the Bush administration and an Iranian exile with a reputation for tall tales. Rozen builds on the case…

This series is a great example of how good storytelling can help us understand issues in new and illuminating ways. Godines describes her descent into mental illness with dramatic skill.…

As the auto writer for the Los Angeles Times, Neil got the chance to drive a replica of Karl Friedrich Benz’s first gas-powered car. While describing the run with pleasure,…

This essay appeared in Best American Travel Writing 2004. In much of his writing, Haines is a cross-cultural guide, seeking to take his readers into foreign worlds, to help them…