On June 7, Washington Monthly announced the 2023 winners of the Kukula Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Book Reviewing. Professor Zephyr Teachout was named co-winner in the larger publication category for her review of four books that explore themes of employees’ rights, surveillance of workers, artificial intelligence, and COVID published in The New York Review of Books.
A panel of six judges, including esteemed journalists, editors, authors, and publishers, chose Professor Teachout’s review as a winner among 100 other submissions and five other finalists. Submissions are evaluated based on “clear and artful exposition, original and persuasive theses, and ability to enlighten readers with new and valuable information.”
A letter from Washington Monthly informing Teachout of her win read:
Your review earned high praise from the three judges who read submissions in your category, including New York Times reporter and author Jason DeParle. Your essay on “a fresh and provocative topic—employee surveillance and its dehumanizing effects—really stayed with me,” he told us. Fellow judges Peter Osnos and Amy Waldman agreed, praising the piece as a model of serious, thoughtful long-form book criticism that addresses some of the most urgent issues of our time.
Read the complete 2023 Kukula Award announcement in Washington Monthly.
Read Professor Teachout’s review “The Boss Will See You Now” in The New York Review of Books.
About the Kukula Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Book Reviewing
The Kukula Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Book Reviewing is the only journalism prize dedicated to highlighting and encouraging exemplary reviews of serious, public affairs-focused books. The award honors the memory of Kukula Kapoor Glastris, Washington Monthly’s longtime and beloved books editor.
Learn more at washingtonmonthly.com/kukulaaward.