"The Man With the Golden Arm" is a novel by Nelson Algren dealing with drug addiction. Published by Doubleday in November 1949, it won Algren the first National Book Award, in 1950. Nelson Algren Nelson Algren (March 28, 1909 - May 9, 1981) was a legendary American writer. ... The National Book Award is one of the most important literary prizes in the United States, presented annually for the best books by living U.S. citizens published in the U.S. The awards have been presented since 1950 in at least one category, and are presently awarded in each...