Professor of Political Science William Taubman was awarded the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for his biography, "Khrushchev: The Man and His Era." The book is unique for its inclusion of material from sources which became available only after the fall of the Soviet Union. Taubman was also the recipient of the National Book Critics Circle prize last month.

While writing the book, Taubman admits that he dreamed of winning the Pulitzer. "Over the 20 years it took to write the book, I must admit that two or three times I fantasized that something like this might happen, but each time I, or my wife Jane, quickly repressed the thought lest my expectations become totally unrealistic," he said.

Taubman revealed that he was surprised about the decision because of the mystery surrounding the selection process. "The whole Pulitzer process is wrapped in deepest secrecy," said Taubman. "They don't reveal who the finalists are until they announce the winner. So there is no way of knowing if you are even being considered. I didn't get the news until 3:15 [Monday] afternoon, 15 minutes after the winners were publicly revealed."

Pulitzer finalists are selected by special juries, according to the Pulitzer website. "Nominated finalists are selected by the Nominating Juries for each category as finalists in the competition," stated the Web site. "The Pulitzer Prize Board generally selects the Pulitzer Prize Winners from the three nominated finalists in each category."

Taubman began writing the book more than 20 years ago. It was originally going to focus on Khrushchev's foreign policy. However, Taubman became more interested in Khrushchev's character and the book developed into a biography.

Taubman utilized new sources that became available only after the Soviet Union collapsed, including recently- opened archives in Russia and Ukraine. The book focuses on Khrushchev's personal and political lives. Taubman interviewed Khrushchev's friends and family in order to gain a true understanding of the Soviet leader.

"[The Pulitzer is] a well deserved prize and a great day for Bill, Jane and for Amherst College," said President Anthony Marx. "The prize also validates again the notion of a great liberal arts college combining teaching that inspires great scholarship, and great scholarship invigorating teaching."

The Pulitzer Web site quotes the book jacket of the novel, which describes the biography as "a historical narrative with penetrating political and psychological analysis, this account brims with the life and excitement of a man whose story personifies his era."