“Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” by Jason De León wins the 2024 National Book Award for Nonfiction

Jason De León has been awarded the 2024 National Book Award for Nonfiction for his groundbreaking work, Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling. This book sheds light on the complex world of human smuggling, focusing on the personal stories of those navigating the perilous journeys across Central America and Mexico. Based on seven years of ethnographic work, De León explores the economic, social, and environmental forces that drive migration, offering a nuanced look at this urgent global issue

You can watch the full ceremony from the National Book Awards here (Jason De León’s speech starts at 1:56:35). You can read about Jason’s award here posted by the UCLA Newsroom.