-- will be presented by eric sundquist. from the modern language association for best become published during the year, the christian award from identify beta kappa for best book in the humanities, and the choice outstanding academic book award. he is chair of the department of english and melon professor of humanities hat johns hopkins university. great school. gives me great pleasure to introduce eric sundquist. [applause] >> good evening. great pleasure to be here. on behalf of my fellow panelists, javari, andre, m.g., and laura, let me thank the national book foundation for the privilege of judging this year's nominations in the category of nonfiction. in a lifetime of reading i've not had a more gratifying, surprising, and educational experience. we had the pleasure of reviewing hundreds of books. 500-plus to be specific, across a wide range of genres and topics, encountering contemporary american writing. ... and then down to these five finalists. " book of ages" by jill lepore published by alfred a. knopf. [applause]