The Best American Magazine Writing

The Best American Magazine Writing is an annual anthology series that collects award-winning and notable journalism and essays from American periodicals. Published by Columbia University Press in collaboration with the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), the series serves as a definitive annual record of excellence in the field. It highlights the enduring power of long-form narrative and investigative reporting within the evolving media landscape, featuring works that have often won or been finalists for the National Magazine Awards.

Overview and History

The series was established in 2000, emerging from the prestigious National Magazine Awards program administered by ASME. It was created to provide a permanent, curated collection of the year's most outstanding magazine writing for both public readership and academic study. Published under the Columbia University Press imprint, the anthology has documented major societal shifts, from the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to debates on climate change and social justice. The series stands as a counterpoint to the decline of print, celebrating the depth and rigor possible in publications like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Harper's Magazine.

Selection Process and Criteria

The selection is intrinsically tied to the National Magazine Awards. The contents are primarily drawn from works that have won or been nominated for these awards across categories such as Feature Writing, Public Interest, Essays, and Columns. The series editor, in consultation with ASME, makes final selections, ensuring the anthology represents a diverse range of subjects, styles, and publications. Criteria emphasize literary merit, reporting excellence, originality, and substantive contribution to public discourse. Works from both large-circulation titles like Time and specialized journals like The Virginia Quarterly Review are considered.

Notable Editions and Editors

Each edition features a guest editor, typically a prominent writer or journalist, who writes an introduction and may influence the final selection. Notable guest editors have included Michael Lewis, renowned for Moneyball and The Big Short; Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild; and Ta-Nehisi Coates, known for Between the World and Me. The 2007 edition, guest-edited by Frank Rich, then of The New York Times, focused heavily on political commentary. The series has also been stewarded by longtime series editors such as Sid Holt, former chief executive of ASME.

Impact and Recognition

The anthology has become a vital academic and professional resource, used in journalism programs at institutions like the University of Missouri and Northwestern University. It validates magazine writing as a serious literary and journalistic form, with many featured pieces later expanded into bestselling books, such as Kathryn Schulz's "Lost & Found". The series itself has received critical acclaim, with reviews often appearing in major outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times Book Review. It highlights the critical role of fact-based, narrative-driven journalism in an era of digital fragmentation.

Analysis of Featured Works

The collected works provide a rich tapestry of early 21st-century American history. Investigative pieces have exposed systemic failures, such as those within the Veterans Health Administration or during the Water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Profound essays have explored identity, race, and culture, contributing to national conversations spurred by movements like Black Lives Matter. War reporting from Afghanistan and Iraq, personal memoirs dealing with illness, and deep dives into scientific realms like CRISPR illustrate the anthology's breadth. The writing consistently demonstrates a commitment to narrative complexity and ethical inquiry, often challenging readers' perceptions of institutions like the Supreme Court or Silicon Valley.

Category:American non-fiction books Category:Journalism awards Category:Anthologies