Ha Jin was awarded the 1999 National Book Award in fiction for his novel Waiting last week at the foundation's 50th anniversary ceremony. Waiting tells the story of Lin Kong, a Chinese soldier in the People's Liberation Army, who is torn between two women. Part African American, Asian American, and Native American, Ai delivers dramatic monologues in the shoes of such celebs as Lenny Bruce , Marilyn Monroe , and even U.S. Presidents. Japan in the Wake of World War II , by John W. Dower , was awarded the nonfiction award.
Defeat relates the transformation of Japan in the aftermath of World War II .
For young people's literature, Kimberly Willis Holt was awarded a National Book Award for When Zachary Beaver Came to Town . Media maven Oprah Winfrey was also recognized by the foundation. With Oprah's nod, book club authors have catapulted to the top of the best-seller lists. The lowest recorded temperature in the world was -129 degrees Fahrenheit in Vostok, Antarctica.