The Nobel Peace Prize is the world’s most prestigious award, as Jay Nordlinger argues in this erudite and insightful history. He has written not only the go-to reference book for the prize and its laureates but also an important philosophical reflection on the nature of “peace” in modern times.

On average, religious people are much happier than others.

On average, religious people are much happier than others.

The suffering of Mother Teresa.

Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize is likely to be the high water mark of climate-change hysteria.

The Queen of England found herself helpless before Princess Diana's angry and demanding constituency.

American society has always been unconventional in its search for men of Washington's mold, who care less for power and glory than for freedom, democracy, and doing right.

The use of social criteria may be fine for affluent investorswho assume the extra risk to achieve their perceived political goals and the Gates Foundation has set a higher standard.