2007 National Book Awards

The National Book Foundation presented the 58th Annual National Book Awards for best book in each of the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people’s literature. Fran Lebowitz emceed the ceremony. The winners each gave short acceptance speeches. In addition Terry Gross received the first Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, presented by Ira Glass. Joan Didion was the recipient of the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, presented by Michael Cunningham.

National Book Awards were presented to: Tim Weiner, author of Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA (nonfiction), Denis Johnson, author of Tree of Smoke (fiction), Robert Haas, author of Time and Materials (poetry), and Sherman Alexie, author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (young people’s literature). Cindy Johnson, Denis Johnson’s wife, accepted on her husband’s behalf. close