cover image The Pulitzer Prize: The Inside Story of America's Most Prestigious Award

The Pulitzer Prize: The Inside Story of America's Most Prestigious Award

Douglas Bates, J. Douglas Bates. Carol Publishing Corporation, $19.95 (291pp) ISBN 978-1-55972-070-0

Bates, a former newspaper editor in Oregon and Washington State, might have chosen a more appropriate subtitle: ``Journalism's Most Prestigious Award.'' The prizes, established by publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) and awarded under the aegis of Columbia University, are the most valued that a paper or a reporter receives. But Bates's contention that in literature the Pulitzer is ``America's version of the Nobel Prize'' is arguable. Explaining the way the prizes are awarded, the author creates suspense by introducing readers to the finalists in the 1990 specialized-reporting category, a technique that works admirably, with the winner--Tamar Stieber of the Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal --revealed in the penultimate chapter. Bates's demystifying book reveals the luncheon menus of the 1990 Pulitzer Board members--crab and stuffed snapper--and jurors--``broccoli with something white on it''--during deliberations, looks at the celebrations of winners whose careers are given a ``jump-start'' by the award, and balances the gossip with sound reporting to both laud and criticize the award decisions over the years. (July)