The Crader Family Book Prize recognizes a first book, which best exemplifies the values of the Crader Family Endowment for American Values: individual liberty, constitutional principles and civic virtue. The field and subject matter are open to any area of US, European or Latin American history, but must examine the historical development of the political, religious and economic heritage of Western Civilization, or events directly related to them. The prize includes an honorarium of $1,000.
The winner of the inaugural award in 2013 was Mark Rawitsch, former Dean of Instruction at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif., for his book, “The House on Lemon Street: Japanese Pioneers and the American Dream,” published in 2012 by the University Press of Colorado. Dr. Chris Edelson, Assistant Professor of Government at American University, was the 2014 winner, with his “Emergency Presidential Power,” published by the University of Wisconsin Press in 2013.
To be eligible, each book must be peer-reviewed, published by an academic, university or commercial press in 2012, 2013, or 2014, written by a sole author, and be a single work, rather than an edited collection, anthology or translation. Works that are self-published, in languages other than English, or only exist as e-books will not be considered. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2015. The author must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Publishers may nominate as many works as they believe meet this criteria and should submit five (5) copies of each book to be considered to: Dr. Wayne Bowen, Chair – Department of History, Crader Book Prize Committee, One University Plaza – MS 2960, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.
The Crader Family Endowment for American Values exists within the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, is managed by the chair of the Department of History and is dedicated to education, research and public engagement in the historical traditions of the United States of America and Western Civilization. The endowment’s objectives are to increase knowledge and appreciation of the political, religious and economic heritage of this nation and the West, and the values of individual liberty, constitutional principles and civic virtue that are at the foundation of this society. The endowment is named in honor of the Crader Family: Stan and Debbie Crader, and the late Don Crader, of Southeast Missouri.