May 26, 2010

SIU Press wins nine awards from historical society

by K.C. Jaehnig

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Press garnered nine awards from the Illinois State Historical Society at its annual awards luncheon April 24 in Springfield. The awards recognize the collection, preservation and/or the interpretation of some aspect of the state’s history.

Eight of the nine awards went to scholarly works published by the press, with Robert E. Hartley’s book titled “Paul Simon: The Political Journey of an Illinois Original,” receiving the society’s superior achievement award, its highest honor.

Six scholarly publications won certificates of excellence, the second-highest award given. These were: “Abraham Lincoln as a Man of Ideas,” by Allen C. Guelzo; “Chicago’s Irish Legion: The 90th Illinois Volunteers in the Civil War,” by James B. Swan; “The Gambler King of Clark Street: Michael C. McDonald and the Rise of Chicago’s Democratic Machine,” by Richard C. Lindberg; “Lincoln the Inventor,” by Jason Emerson; “Lincoln Lessons: Reflections on America’s Greatest Leader,” by Frank J. Williams and William D. Pederson; and “Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: Echoes of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer,” by A.E. Elmore.

In addition, John Harpster’s book, “The Railroad Tycoon Who Built Chicago: A Biography of William B. Ogden,” received a merit award.

In the publications category for single works, Cleo Caraway’s reminiscence, “Growing Up in a Land Called Egypt: A Southern Illinois Family Biography,” also won a certificate of excellence.

For a closer look at the award winners, or to order them, visit the press online at www.siupress.com. A promotion code, SIUF10, entered at the website check-out, will allow University faculty, staff, students, alumni and library donors a 20 percent discount on their orders.