WORLD Magazine names Book of the Year Winners
June 22, 2015
ASHEVILLE, NC – Every summer since 1999, WORLD’s editors have dedicated an issue of WORLD Magazine to books, authors, and trends in the publishing industry.
To be eligible for consideration for this year’s awards, books must have been published between
May 1, 2014, and April 30, 2015. To make these selections, five WORLD writers read numerous
books, developed a short list of fourteen, and voted.
Editor-in-chief Marvin Olasky described the process this way: “We look for books that we like
and that WORLD Members will find accessible . . . books that are thoughtful and capable of
planting among our readers new ideas consistent with what the Bible teaches.”
While extensive reviews of each winner will be published in the June 27 “Books Issue” of
WORLD Magazine, we are pleased to announce the 2015 winners below:
Fiction WINNER: The Book of Strange New Things, by Michael Faber
These days, in books from secular publishers, we expect to see pastors depicted as hypocrites and
missionaries as agents of exploitation. Instead we find empathy and splendid writing in this poignant
work from Michael Faber.
Accessible Theology WINNER: enGendered: God’s Gift of Gender Difference in
Relationship, by Sam Andreades
In this insightful work, Andreades skillfully and truthfully guides readers through at least three crucial cultural debates: Are men and women different? How should husbands and wives help each other? What about same-sex marriage?
Current Events/Public Affairs WINNER: America in Retreat, by Bret Stephens
Stephens shows how isolationist rhetoric is on the rise in America along with balance-of-power
appeasement. The consequence may be more disorder than we bargained for, including world
war and the avoidable sacrifice of countless lives.
History/Biography WINNER: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, by Erik Larson
Larson masterfully tells the story of those responsible for the sinking of the Lusitania and makes
us empathize with the ordinary men, women, and children who were war’s collateral damage.
The appeal to emotion as well as intellect makes Dead Wake our history/biography book of the year.
To learn more about WORLD, its book reviews, and the clarity it brings to the news,
visit wng.org/booksoftheyear. Media inquiries should be directed to Jonathan Bailie at
1-800-951-4974 or [email protected].
