Lots has been written about the Nobel Peace Prize, but like any widely discussed and hotly debated subject, there's wheat and there's chaff. Of the sources we've seen, here are a few standouts.
— Irwin Abrams & Scott London
The Nobel Peace Prize: Recommended Sources
Hailed by the American Library Association as an "outstanding reference work," this authoritative survey of the Nobel Peace Prize details the evolution of the prize, delves into the role and mechanics of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and profiles a century of laureates. Originally published in 1988 and revised and expanded in 2001, the book was described by Choice magazine as "a wonderful reference work" — "The introductory material and all the biographic entries are concise, well-written, meet high academic standards, and are enjoyable as well."
The authorized edition of the Nobel lectures in peace, published in eight volumes, presents a detailed introduction to each prize, the official announcement of the award by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the presentations speeches by the chair of the committee (or other representative), biographies of the laureates, and extensive notes and bibliographies. The first three volumes, covering the years 1901-1970, were edited by Frederick Haberman. Volumes 4-7, covering 1971-2000, were edited by Irwin Abrams. Volume 8 (2001-2005) was edited by Irwin Abrams and Scott London.
This special issue of Peace and Change, the respected journal of peace research, looks back on the first century of the Nobel Peace Prize with academic essays by such noted scholars as Charles Chatfield, Øyvind Tønnesson, Peter Van Den Dungen, Irwin Abrams, Olav Njølstad, and Ivar Libæk, Asle Sveen and Øivind Stenersen. Among the questions taken up are what makes the Nobel Peace Prize unique, the decision-making process of the Nobel committee prior to the World War II, and the trends that have shaped the prize's evolution over the years.
Other Excellent Sources: