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1979 Pulitzer Prizes

See 1979 Board Members

Journalism

Point Reyes Light, a California weekly

For its investigation of Synanon.

Finalists:

National Reporting

James Risser of Des Moines Register

For a series on farming damage to the environment.

Finalists:

International Reporting

Richard Ben Cramer of The Philadelphia Inquirer

For reports from the Middle East.

Finalists:

Feature Writing

Jon D. Franklin of Baltimore Evening Sun

For an account of brain surgery.

Finalists:

Commentary

Russell Baker of The New York Times

Finalists:

Criticism

Paul Gapp of Chicago Tribune

Finalists:

Editorial Writing

Edwin M. Yoder Jr. of The Washington Star

Finalists:

Feature Photography

Staff Photographers of Boston Herald American

For photographic coverage of the blizzard of 1978.

Finalists:

Local General or Spot News Reporting

Staff of San Diego (CA) Evening Tribune

For its coverage of the collision of a Pacific Southwest air liner with a small plane over its city.

Finalists:

Local Investigative Specialized Reporting

Gilbert M. Gaul and Elliot G. Jaspin of Pottsville (PA) Republican

For stories on the destruction of the Blue Coal Company by men with ties to organized crime.

Finalists:

Editorial Cartooning

Herbert L. Block of The Washington Post

For the body of his work.

Finalists:

Spot News Photography

Thomas J. Kelly III of Pottstown (PA) Mercury

For a series called "Tragedy on Sanatoga Road."

Finalists:

Special Citations

Books, Drama & Music

The Stories of John Cheever, by John Cheever (Knopf)

Finalists:

Drama

Buried Child , by Sam Shepard

Finalists:

History

The Dred Scott Case , by Don E. Fehrenbacher (Oxford Univ. Press)

Finalists:

Biography

Days of Sorrow and Pain: Leo Baeck and the Berlin Jews , by Leonard Baker (Macmillan)

Finalists:

Poetry

Now and Then , by Robert Penn Warren (Random)

Finalists:

General Nonfiction

On Human Nature , by Edward O. Wilson (Harvard Univ. Press)

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Music

Aftertones of Infinity , by Joseph Schwantner

First performed by the American Composers Orchestra on January 29, 1979 in Alice Tully Hall New York City.

Finalists:

See 1979 Board Members