please welcome albert woodfox . >> hello my name is albert woodfox and i'd like to take this opportunity to thank the foundation for honoring my book solitarywith the american book award . i wrote solitary because i want to explore the horror of solitary confinement as being used in the prison system in america and around the world. solitary confinement destroys a human being. destroys spirit, dignity and respect. >> it is a great honor to bring this very vital book the american book award this year and again, my thanks to albert woodfox for participating in this afternoon's ceremony and also to leslie george for helping us to bring albert woodfox to you . joining us in a moment, the founder of the before columbus foundation, ishmael reed who will be honoring eleanor w. traylor for lifetime achievement. it is a great pleasure to welcome ishmael reed to the 41st annual american book awards . >> thank you very much. justin, thank you for all your hard work. i want to talk about eleanor traylor. one of our outstanding literary critics. eleanor traylor is a member of the blackaristocracy . a