The Best American Magazine Writing 2018

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Pub Date Dec 18 2018 | Archive Date Aug 31 2019

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Description

In a time of reckoning, this year’s National Magazine Awards finalists and winners focus on abuse of power in many forms. Ronan Farrow’s Pulitzer Prize–winning revelation of Harvey Weinstein’s depredations (New Yorker), along with Rebecca Traister’s charged commentary for New York and Laurie Penny’s incisive Longreads columns, speak to the urgency of the #MeToo moment. Ginger Thompson’s reporting on the botched U.S. operation that triggered a cartel massacre in Mexico (National Geographic/ProPublica) and Azmat Khan and Anand Gopal’s New York Times Magazine investigation of the civilian casualties of drone strikes in Iraq amplify the voices of those harmed by U.S. actions abroad. And Alex Tizon’s “My Family’s Slave” (Atlantic) is a powerful attempt to come to terms with the cruelty that was in plain sight in his own upbringing.

Responding to the overt racism of the Trump era, Ta-Nehisi Coates’s “My President Was Black” (Atlantic) looks back at the meaning of Obama. Howard Bryant (ESPN the Magazine) and Bim Adewunmi (Buzzfeed) offer incisive columns on the intersections of pop culture, sports, race, and politics. In addition, David Wallace-Wells reveals the coming disaster of our climate-change-ravaged future (New York); Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham’s ESPN the Magazine reporting exposes the seamy sides of the NFL; Nina Martin and Renee Montagne investigate America’s shameful record on maternal mortality (NPR/ProPublica); Ian Frazier asks “What Ever Happened to the Russian Revolution?” (Smithsonian); and Alex Mar considers “Love in the Time of Robots” (Wired with Epic Magazine). The collection concludes with Kristen Roupenian’s viral hit short story “Cat Person” (New Yorker).

In a time of reckoning, this year’s National Magazine Awards finalists and winners focus on abuse of power in many forms. Ronan Farrow’s Pulitzer Prize–winning revelation of Harvey Weinstein’s...


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ISBN 9780231189996
PRICE $19.95 (USD)

Average rating from 14 members


Featured Reviews

I had already read many of these in the Atlantic, New Yorker and other titles, but the choices this year were striking for the cohesive theme of reckoning: the rising tide of #MeToo, the frank examination of racism and power in sports, even the inclusion of the New Yorker short story "Cat Person," which has been one of the best diagnostic tools I've seen recently (you either got it, or you didn't, and if you were hostile and didn't get it, or tried to explain to me why what I saw there wasn't there....). This would be a really useful and economical collection from which to teach a discussion or writing course.

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I will definitely be adopting this text in the Spring 2019 semester. I will admit to having been a fan of the anthology for several years and I was very excited to get an early look at 2018’s collection. From Ronan Farrow to Ta-Nehisi Coates (who, blissfully, seems to be becoming a staple of the anthology) the writers featured in this collection are some of the strongest voices out there right now. The subject matter will likely invoke passionate and engaging discussions that allow me to guide my students through critical thinking and writing, as well as home the skills of civil discourse. I am thrilled with this collection. Best year yet.

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The Best American Magazine Writing 2018 is a must have for any writer. Not only does this anthology give you insight to the world of 2018's national award finalist, but it gives you a glimpse at today's Issues. These award finalist's writing will have you on the edge of your seat as you explore topics like racism, the cartel massacres in Mexico, and investigations on maternal mortality.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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It feels as though writing and/or journaling could make for a great New Year's resolution. Here are a couple of ideas to help with getting started. Learning the craft of writing (or just being attuned to current events and good writing) means exposing oneself to high quality examples. In fact, we are always looking for short pieces to share with students and this collection (over 500 pages and recently published by Columbia University Press) offers some great ideas: THE BEST AMERICAN MAGAZINE WRITING 2018 edited by Sid Holt for the American Society of Magazine Editors. Articles from Rebecca Traister, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and others deal with heavy, critical issues like the #MeToo movement, race relations, international atrocities, maternal mortality, and robotics. When reviewing this book, I learned that the Ellie Awards are distributed each year by the American Society of Magazine Editors and they have a searchable database of past winners and finalists. Those chosen for this recent edition were published in a variety of places like the New Yorker, ProPublica, Wired, ESPN, NPR and Smithsonian. Definitely give THE BEST AMERICAN MAGAZINE WRITING 2018 a look -- if only to introduce yourself to a new author and/or publication.

Other awards and sources for the "best" journalism pieces of 2018 include lists from Longreads, from Longform, via David Brooks (the Sidneys), and/or the Pulitzer Prizes for Journalism. Plus, The Atlantic journalist Conor Friedersdorf will publish a list of 100 choices later in the new year (here are his recommendations for 2017).

Links in live post:
https://longreads.com/best-of-2018/
https://longform.org/lists/best-of-2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/24/opinion/best-journalism-sidney-awards.html
https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2018,
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/08/slightly-more-than-100-fantastic-articles/567574/

https://asme.magazine.org/asme/2018-national-magazine-awards
https://asme.magazine.org/asme/national-magazine-awards/winners-finalists

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I actually missed a few of these great pieces when they were first published. What is great about this collection is that while many of the pieces will of course have been talked about a lot when they first came out, the Best American Magazine Writing 2018 collects pieces not just from “general interest” magazines and therefore serves as a corrective for the bubble-like way we experience culture today. I for example rarely read sports articles or technology articles and found myself fascinated by ESPN’s Howard Bryant on the NFL and the athletes inequality protests. People who have a disdain for Buzzfeed for example, thinking of it as a place of just listicles and quizzes might miss out on Bim Adewunmi’s culture essays. This collection shares them. After finishing this book a reader should have a very good idea of the big cultural conversations that occurred in 2017/18 and it’s quite satisfying. Thanks to Columbia University Press and Netgalley for the ARC

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Thank you for the opportunity to read for a review. I am still reading, rereading articles and diving into research to educate myself about the events and policies. Thank you.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review and grow as a better informed person.

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A group of essays articles that are so well written so fascinating thought provoking perfect for discussions. Groups.A standout Ronan Farrows work an article that Brought Harvey Weinstein down .Article after award winning article I will continue to dip into these articles and recommend them. #netgalley #columbiajournalisim.

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This series offers the best reporting available each year, and this issue covers everything from the Weinstein investigation and the attempted coverup by the accused to Obama's farewell party. Some of the best writers are featured including Ronan Farrow. Well worth your time to read.

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Excellent writing about serious topics, so you may need to brace yourself or just set your expectations accordingly. It's tough to go wrong with these highly talented authors. Recommended.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!

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Informative and interesting. Good stuff for would-be writers and readers.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

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