Finalist: A Beautiful Mind , by Sylvia Nasar (Simon & Schuster )

Bestowed posthumously, commemorating the centennial year of his birth, in recognition of his musical genius, which evoked aesthetically the principles of democracy through the medium of jazz and thus made an indelible contribution to art and culture.

For their stories on corruption in the entertainment industry, including a charity sham sponsored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, illegal detoxification programs for wealthy celebrities, and a resurgence of radio payola.

For its clear and detailed coverage of a shooting rampage in which a state lottery worker killed four supervisors then himself.