For a distinguished book of non-fiction by an American author that is not eligible for consideration in any other category, Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).

Awarded to Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan by Herbert P. Bix (HarperCollins)

Columbia University President George Rupp (left) presents Herbert P. Bix with the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover (Random House), and "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by Dave Eggers (Simon & Schuster).