Thursday, May 30, 2013

THE ARMY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN U.S. ARMY HISTORY WRITING

Savas Beatie title The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Vol. II: Antietam wins for Reprint category
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., May 22, 2013 – The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Vol. II: Antietam edited by Thomas Clemens was selected as the 2012 winner of The Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Writing Award for the reprint category. The Army Historical Foundation has an annual awards program to recognize books and articles that have made a distinctive contribution to U.S. Army history.

“It is great to see Ezra Carman's premiere achievement recognized by the Army Historical Foundation; a fine organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of America's military past,” said Editor Thomas Clemens. “Carman labored many years to write the most detailed study of the Maryland Campaign ever created. Having an organization of military historians, veterans and enthusiasts endorse his effort is very gratifying, and of course the efforts by the Savas Beatie staff made it all possible. It was inspiring, and a bit intimidating, to work on the manuscript with Carman's ghost looking over my shoulder, and a pleasure to work with the people at Savas Beatie.”

The Maryland Campaign of September 1862, Vol. II: Antietam is second volume of Ezra Carman’s The Maryland Campaign of September 1862. Editor Thomas G. Clemens, recognized internationally as one of the foremost historians of the Maryland Campaign, spent more than two decades studying Antietam and editing and annotating Carman’s manuscript.

“All of us here at Savas Beatie are pleased that Dr. Clemens’ work has been bestowed with this prestigious award," explained Savas Beatie’s Managing Director Theodore P. Savas. "He has spent decades researching Carman’s magisterial account."

Candidates are nominated by their publishers. A select Awards Committee of distinguished military historians and writers carefully judge the finalists. Each finalist is judged against the following four criteria: Significance to U.S. Army History, quality of writing (e.g. clarity, style and analysis), historical accuracy, and presentation (e.g. use of maps, photographs or other materials).


ABOUT THE ARMY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

The Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Awards program was established in 1997 to recognize authors who make a significant contribution to the literature on U.S. Army history. Its goal is to promote greater public appreciation for the contributions that America’s Army – Active, Reserve, and National Guard – has made to the nation in 233 years of service.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND EDITOR

Ezra Carman was born in Oak Tree, New Jersey, on February 27, 1834, and educated at Western Military Academy in Kentucky. He fought with New Jersey organizations throughout the Civil War. He died in 1909 on Christmas day and was buried just below the Custis-Lee mansion in Arlington Cemetery.

Thomas G. Clemens earned his doctoral degree at George Mason University, where he studied under Maryland Campaign historian Dr. Joseph L. Harsh. Tom has published a wide variety of magazine articles and book reviews, has appeared in several documentary programs, and is a licensed tour guide at Antietam National Battlefield. A retired professor from Hagerstown Community College, he also helped found and is the current president of Save Historic Antietam Foundation, Inc., a preservation group dedicated to saving historic properties.

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