Longstreet:
The Confederate General Who Defied the South earns $50,000 as exceptional work that amplifies the
vital nature of historic battlefields as irreplaceable literary
sources
WASHINGTON, June 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural $50,000 American Battlefield Trust Prize for
History has been awarded to historian Elizabeth Varon for Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied
the South, a richly reported biography of the complicated Civil
War leader who after the war encouraged an examination of the roots
of the conflict and advocated for racial reconciliation.
Varon's work was selected from among nearly 100 entries for the
new prize, which seeks to underscore the irreplaceable perspective
and primary research value of preserving the battlefields on which
our nation was forged – during conflicts which we still seek to
better understand today.
Dr. James McPherson, Pulitzer
Prize winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom and one of the
prize's three judges, called Varon's work "a literary and research
achievement." "The special virtue of this book is it tells us the
whole story of Longstreet, for the
decades after the war as well as the war itself," said McPherson,
professor emeritus at Princeton
University. "It's beautifully crafted and original in its
good many insights."
In accepting the recognition, Varon said, "It is a humbling
honor to win this inaugural award from an organization, American
Battlefield Trust, that does so much to promote and revitalize
the study of America's formative military conflicts. I am
especially grateful to be recognized with such an impressive group
of fellow finalists, representing the dynamism of the field and the
centrality of landscapes to the historical imagination."
The American Battlefield Trust Prize for History recognizes an
outstanding published work focused on military history or a
biography central to the nation's formative conflicts — the
Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Although the
Trust has protected more than 58,000 acres at nearly 160
sites related to those conflicts, many more remain
threatened. The prize seeks to encourage further preservation
by highlighting the way historic landscapes aid and inform
researchers. Because it is endowed by a generous donor, the prize
program diverts no funds from the Trust's critical
mission.
"An excellent book can ignite the imagination," said Trust
President David Duncan. "Reading
about the dynamic figures and events of the past inspires millions
of Americans to travel to historic sites where they can stand in
the footsteps of the past, often thanks to the work of historic
preservation organizations who ensure that such places are
safeguarded for future generations."
A selection committee winnowed the list of nominees
from nearly 100 from 24 different publishers to 11
finalists, which were then considered by this year's expert panel
of judges: McPherson, Dr. James Kirby
Martin, professor emeritus at University of Houston and Dr. Joan Waugh, professor emeritus at
UCLA.
The works of two other authors also were recognized with
$2,500 honorable mentions: D.
Scott Hartwig's I Dread the
Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the
Maryland Campaign and Friederike
Baer's Hessians: German Soldiers in the American
Revolutionary War. Each of the three titles focuses on a key
discipline within the field of military history — a biography of a
notable leader, an analysis of an iconic campaign and a thematic
examination of a pivotal group. And each relied upon the power of
place for the research that underpinned it.
The inaugural awards will be presented in September, during the
Trust's annual Grand Review weekend in Raleigh, N.C. Publishing houses may submit
nominations of 2024 titles for next year's award after October 1. Further details on the prize may be
found on the American Battlefield Trust website.
Professor Elizabeth R. Varon is
the Langbourne M. Williams Professor of History at
the University of Virginia;
her winning title is published by Simon & Schuster.
Friederike Baer is an associate
professor of history and the Division Head for Arts and Humanities
at Penn State Abingdon College; her work is published by
Oxford University Press. D.
Scott Hartwig spent 34 years
interpreting history for the National Park Service, including two
decades as supervisory historian at Gettysburg National Military
Park; his Antietam titles are published by Oxford University Press.
About the American Battlefield Trust: From a
grassroots organization started by historians 30 years ago, the
American Battlefield Trust has grown into one of the most
successful private heritage land preservation organizations in the
nation. The Trust is dedicated to preserving America's hallowed
battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there
and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization
has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the
Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War, representing more
than 155 sites in 25 states. Its 350,000 members and supporters
believe in the power of place and the continued relevance of
history as a means to fully understand our rights and
responsibilities as Americans. Learn more at
www.battlefields.org.
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SOURCE American Battlefield Trust