roge Shadroui examines the history of the National Book Award from a political perspective in his article Political Prize: The National Book Award in FrontPageMagazine.com on March 5, 2004. The NBA is another award in the arts that has become just another political forum for those on the left.

A Salon article by Laura Miller ignores the politics. Her discussion of the rather off-hand method of choosing finalists makes Shadroui's article to be on target. While quotas for each political persuasion is out of the question, shedding a little light on what has happened to a significant award over the past 10-20 years might bring about what looks like needed change.

The prestigious Bancroft Prize in history was awarded to liberal author Michael Bellesiles for the book Arming America: The Origins Of A National Gun Culture which was widely hailed by pro-gun control supporters. Later, Columbia University, sponsor of the award rescinded the award because Professor Bellesiles fabricated data to support allegations he made in the book. Was the award given primarily because Professor Bellesiles supported a liberal shibboleth and the award committee wanted to insure that the book was widely read and discussed? We will never know. More on the Bancroft Prize fiasco here.