The Best American Magazine Writing 2007 [Paperback]

The American Society of Magazine Editors (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231143915 | ISBN-13: 978-0231143912 | Publication Date: November 8, 2007 | Edition: Revised

This year's selection includes William Langewiesche's probing investigation in Vanity Fair of the slaughter of twenty-four Iraqis in Haditha; C. J. Chivers's chilling account in Esquire of the 2004 hostage crisis in Beslan, which killed 331 people, 186 of them children; Susan Casey's revelation in Best Life of a virtually unknown, Texas-sized garbage dump resting at the bottom of the Pacific ocean; and Andrew Corsello's harrowing portrait in GQ of Robert Mugabe's mad rule and two men-a white farmer and a fiery black priest-who strive for forgiveness instead of hate.

The collection also includes Vanessa Grigoriadis's hilarious portrait of fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld in New York Magazine; Christopher Hitchens's profile of survivors of Agent Orange in Vanity Fair; Sandra Tsing Loh's coverage of the stay-at-home-mommy debate in the Atlantic Monthly; Paul Theroux's thoughts on the dangers of anthropomorphism and our misconceptions about birds in the Smithsonian; Janet Reitman's unraveling of the mysteries of Scientology in Rolling Stone; and the work of nine other exceptional writers.

(October 2007)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

All of the essays in the series' eighth year exhibit a timeless prose in the midst of meeting deadlines. But many also resonate with a special sense of timeliness, such as the insightful Rules of Engagement by William Langewiesche, a detailed study for Vanity Fair of the U.S. massacre of Iraqi citizens in the town of Haditha. Other essays have a similar sense of urgency: Inside Scientology by Janet Reitman for Rolling Stone—the result of a nine-month investigation—is a terrific and balanced look at an organization whose top leaders assert that false ideas, including the concepts of God, Christ, and organized religion, date back 75 million years to the work of an evil galactic warrior named Xenu. C.J. Chivers's The School for Esquire is a harrowing account of the three-day siege by Chechen terrorists of a grammar school in the Russian town of Beslan. Other, lighter pieces include Vanessa Grigoriadis's skillful depiction for New York of the crazy-like-a-fox business and personal lifestyle of Karl Lagerfeld, Boy Prince of Fashion. (Dec. 26)
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About the Author

The American Society of Magazine Editors is a nonprofit professional organization for editors of print magazines that are edited, published, and sold in the United States, as well as editors of online magazines. It sponsors the National Magazine Awards in association with the Columbia School of Journalism.

(1/26/08)

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press; Revised edition (November 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231143915
• ISBN-13: 978-0231143912
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best, January 12, 2008

By 

Fran Swallow "Constant Reader" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best American Magazine Writing 2007 (Paperback)

A series of excellent prize-winning articles, ranging from the deeply touching "The Other Side of Hate" by Andrew Corsello to Ian Parker's inspired and funny analysis of fellow writer Christopher Hitchens. Not a clinker in the lot!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, December 14, 2008

By 

Dean Adams (Red Wing, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best American Magazine Writing 2007 (Paperback)

There are two or three quite decent examples of good writing in this tome and it is well worth the inexpensive purchase price.