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 explanation” and were captivated by the triumphant, beautifully written ending. Read more
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 of view. So although a trial story, its main character … Read more
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 that the administration bases foreign policy on bad advice and … Read more
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 experience another culture’s deep difference—and also its humanity. In this … Read more
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, he ties the car to the history of Los Angeles … Read more
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. She’s also clearly interested in being a good journalist, in … Read more
This is a portrait of elderly nuns and the work of David Snowdon, a professor of neurology who has enrolled the nuns in a study on aging. Through several nuns, Dunkel makes clear the remarkable contribution that the women are … Read more
We include this piece in part because of its strong authorial presence. Sedensky guides readers through his portrait of Fred Phelps with a firm hand. Here’s an example: “They’re not doing this to save you. They’re doing it to save … Read more
Xan Rice had recently met Martin Adler when Adler was shot and killed at a rally in Somalia. Four days later Rice offered this account. We liked the vivid photo-like description the piece begins with. We liked the tight structure: … Read more
This piece won an American Society of Newspaper Editors’ Distinguished Writing Award for Deadline Reporting. We admire the friendly, human voice, the determination to find a fresh way to describe the fury of a hurricane, the resultant evocative descriptions. Read more
