Lukas Prize Finalists Announced, Spotlighting Baldwin Biography and Ukraine War Book

A biography of James Baldwin and a personal account of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are among the finalists for the prestigious Lukas Prizes.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The finalists for the annual Lukas Prize awards, which honor exceptional works of literary journalism and history, have been announced. The $10,000 Lukas Book Prize finalists include a deep dive into the war in Ukraine, while the $10,000 Mark Lynton History Prize finalists feature a biography of author James Baldwin. The Work-in-Progress Prizes, each worth $25,000, also recognized several promising new works across a range of topics.

Why it matters

The Lukas Prizes are highly regarded in the journalism and non-fiction literary communities, with past winners including renowned authors like Robert Caro and Jill Lepore. The finalists this year showcase a diverse array of important and impactful works, covering topics from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the history of capitalism and the American West.

The details

The Lukas Book Prize finalists include Danielle Leavitt's 'By the Second Spring: Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine,' which provides a personal account of the conflict. Other nominees in that category are works examining topics like urban arson, American homelessness, and the impact of 'forever chemicals.' For the Mark Lynton History Prize, Nicholas Boggs' 'Baldwin: A Love Story,' a acclaimed biography of author James Baldwin, is a finalist, alongside books on the history of capitalism, ancient India, and a 19th century photograph. The Work-in-Progress Prizes recognized several promising new works across a range of subjects.

  • The Lukas Prize finalists were announced on February 19, 2026.

The players

Lukas Prize Project

An awards program established to honor the late investigative journalist J. Anthony Lukas, which recognizes exceptional works of literary journalism and history.

Columbia Journalism School

One of the institutions that oversees the Lukas Prize Project, along with the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.

Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University

One of the institutions that oversees the Lukas Prize Project, along with the Columbia Journalism School.

Danielle Leavitt

Author of 'By the Second Spring: Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine,' a finalist for the Lukas Book Prize.

Nicholas Boggs

Author of 'Baldwin: A Love Story,' a finalist for the Mark Lynton History Prize.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winners of the Lukas Prizes will be announced at a later date.

The takeaway

The Lukas Prize finalists this year showcase a diverse array of important and impactful works, covering topics from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the history of capitalism and the American West. The recognition of these finalists underscores the continued importance of literary journalism and non-fiction storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world.