Masa biography honored with multiple awards

The legacy of renowned Smokies photographer George Masa continues. George Masa: A Life Reimagined, a biography published by Smokies Life in 2024, has received regional and national accolades, a testament to the work of coauthors Janet McCue and Paul Bonesteel, who collaborated to uncover new details about the enigmatic and talented Japanese immigrant.

The book has received two regional awards: the 2024 North Caroliniana Society Book Award and a 2025 Award of Excellence from the East Tennessee Historical Society. Both organizations praised the book for its contributions to cultural and historical interpretation in their respective states.

Nationally, the biography has been recognized as a finalist in the 19^th National Indie Excellence^® Awards, which celebrates the literary achievements of independent publishers such as Smokies Life.

McCue, a Cornell University librarian, and Bonesteel, a documentary filmmaker, brought to the book their long-time curiosity about the visionary Japanese photographer whose dedication to art and conservation helped spur the national park movement in the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the creation of the Appalachian Trail. The book details many challenges that Masa endured as an immigrant during the Great Depression era—scrutiny in 1918 from the agency now known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, harassment from the Ku Klux Klan in 1921, and the collapse of the economy, his business, and his health in the early 1930s—while still choosing to devote himself to the conservation of the Southern Appalachians.

“George Masa: A Life Reimagined is a study in biographical excellence,” said historian and Smokies scholar William A. “Bill” Hart Jr. “Authors Janet McCue and Paul Bonesteel have painstakingly researched George Masa’s life and revealed his challenges and triumphs, highlighting his reputation as an artistic and gifted photographer, a founder of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and a contributor to the completion of the Appalachian Trail in the southern mountains. Their intimate and compelling biography allows us to fully appreciate this complex man and his legacy of lasting accomplishments.”

Since 2003, the North Caroliniana Society has recognized one book a year “that captures the essence of North Carolina by contributing powerfully to an understanding of the state.” Nominees—and ultimately award recipients—are chosen by a committee that privately surveys all books published during the year, then selects the volume it believes “makes a positive contribution and appears to have the best chance of standing the test of time as a classic volume of North Caroliniana.” Representatives from the society described Masa’s life story as the “unanimous choice” for the award’s 22nd year, noting that it is the first biography to receive this recognition in many years.

The East Tennessee Historical Society honored Masa’s biography through its Awards of Excellence program, established in 1982 to annually recognize individuals and organizations for significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, and interpretation of the region’s history. Eligible projects include exhibits, lectures, conferences, publications, print and broadcast media, teaching, and lifetime achievement.

“With precision and sensitivity, the authors portray Masa not only as an artist and environmental advocate but as a man constantly redefining himself,” the East Tennessee Historical Society wrote in its award program. “Through their collaboration, McCue and Bonesteel produced a compelling and deeply human portrait that expands our understanding of Appalachian history and the individuals who helped shape it. Their work ensures that Masa’s story is told with a more complete clarity and in the context of his life and remarkable contributions.”

The National Indie Excellence^® juried awards recognize outstanding achievements by independent publishers and self-published authors each year. NIEA honors those who produce “the highest quality books.” Established in 2005, NIEA’s entrants are meticulously judged by experts from various disciplines of the industry, including publishers, editors, authors, and book designers. Finalists are determined based on superior written content coupled with elements of an exemplary published product.

In paperback and e-book, George Masa: A Life Reimagined is available from the Smokies Life web store, major online retailers, and in park stores. The book includes many photos by Masa alongside historical documents and images. An exhibit about Masa’s life is on display at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Listen to a review of the book by photographer Michele Sons.