The Richard W. Leopold Prize, first given in 1984, was designed to improve contacts and interrelationships within the historical profession where an increasing number of history-trained scholars hold distinguished positions in governmental agencies. This prize recognizes the significant historical work being done by historians outside academe. The Leopold Prize is given by the Organization of American Historians every two years for the best book written by a historian connected with federal, state or municipal government. Areas of study include: foreign policy, military affairs broadly construed, the activities of the federal government or biography in one of the foregoing areas. These subjects cover the concerns and the historical fields of activity of Professor Leopold, retired from the Department of History at Northwestern University. Richard W. Leopold was President of the Organization of American Historians 1976-1977.

The winner must have been employed in a government position for at least five years. If the author has accepted an academic position, the book must have been published within two years from the time of the change. Verification of current or past employment with the government must be included with each entry.

Each entry must be published during the two-year period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. One copy of each entry must be received by each committee member by October 1, 2007. Final page proofs may be used for books to be published after October 1, 2007 and before January 1, 2008. If a final page proof is submitted, a bound copy of the entry must be received no later than January 7, 2008. No late submissions will be accepted. If a book carries a copyright date that is different from the publication date, but the actual publication date falls during the correct time frame making it eligible, please include a letter of explanation with each copy of the book sent to committee members.

The author of the winning book will receive $1,500. The publisher of the book will be honored with a certificate of merit. The award will be presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the OAH in New York, New York, March 28-31. One copy of each entry, clearly labeled "2008 Richard W. Leopold Prize Entry," must be mailed directly to:

Daniel P. Carpenter
Department of Government
Littauer Center G-8 (North Harvard Yard)
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138

Jeffrey J. Crow
North Carolina Office of Archives and History
4610 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4610

Donald J. Pisani (Committee Chair)
Department of History
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019