The Best American Magazine Writing 2002

by American Society of Magazine Editors

A treasury of great magazine pieces drawn from the winners of and finalists for the prestigious National Magazine AwardsIn the world of magazines, no recognition is more highly coveted than an "Ellie," the National Magazine Award presented by the American Society of Magazine Editors. This is the magazine equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. Nominees and winners are chosen by hundreds of editors, educators, and art directors from more than a thousand submissions. These selections are among the very best of those.

The Best American Magazine Writing anthology puts between the covers of a single book some of the most outstanding writing by some of the most eminent writers in this country.

"My Father's Brain"
Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker

"The Crash of EgyptAir 990"
William Langewiesche, The Atlantic Monthly

"Inside the Battle at Qala-i-Jangi"
Alex Perry, Time Magazine

"Dr. Daedalus"
Lauren Slater, Harper's Magazine

"Salt Chic"
Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue

"Playing God on No Sleep"
Anna Quindlen, Newsweek

"Sullivan's Travels"
Michael Wolff, New York Magazine

"Moving"
Anne Fadiman, The American Scholar

And much more! Brilliant and illuminating, this book is for anyone who appreciates magazine writing and journalism at their highest level.

The American Society of Magazine Editors is the professional organization for editors of consumer magazines that are edited, published, and sold in the United States. It sponsors the National Magazine Awards in association with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Journalism, Anthologies

512 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

The American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) is a non-profit professional organization for editors of print and online magazines which are edited, published and distributed in the U.S. Established in 1963, ASME currently has about 850 members nationwide. Among other things, ASME works to preserve editorial independence and speaks out on public policy issues, particularly those pertaining to the First Amendment.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most important articles I've ever read is in this book. Samantha Power's "Bystanders to Genocide" discusses the American complicity in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. This is an important document that is already having some effect in our government's reaction to the similar dreadful events happening in the Congo this year. There are other fantastic articles in here as well, but Powers' article is the standout.

[Linda Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among the highlights here Bystanders to Genocide/Samantha Power, Killing Libby/Mark Levine; also quite good: Dr Daedalus/Lauren Slater, Ring Tossed/Steve Rushin, My Father’s Brain/Franzen, Gone/Tom Junod, The Crash of Egypt Air 990/Wm Langewiesche, Salt Chic/Steingarten

[BarbaraW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great stories from American magazines that year. Well selected issues including health, political and pop culture dealt with. I miss the magazine age.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really, really enjoyed this collection, even though it is outdated by six years. good magazine writing (esp profile writing) is just so good - great rec, o'chang!

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really finish. I'll probably revisit this compilation when I'm between books.

[Nona]

read the one called "Gone" i think