Jun
21
A book by Dr. David Skaggs, a professor emeritus of history, has won first place in the Academic Scholar Division of the Local History Publication Awards, presented by the Center for Archival Collections.
The committee called Oliver Hazard Perry: Honor, Courage, and Patriotism in the Early U.S. Navy the “hands down winner†in its division and an “important work of significance by a major voice in the field.†Skaggs taught at BGSU from 1965-98.
The winning entry in each division receives a $300 cash prize and a plaque.
In the Independent Scholar category, the winner was …Nothing Personal Just Business …: Prohibition and Murder on Toledo’s Mean Streets, by Kenneth Dickson. In the same category, Rita Turnwald’s History of Ottoville and Vicinity 1845-2001 received honorable mention from the selection committee as an important contribution to the Putnam County village, local historical societies, and libraries.
Dickson was hailed by the committee as “a very dogged researcher. Focusing on one local incident, he broadens interest in parallel events with national impact from Detroit and Chicago to St. Louis.†His book tells the true story of the Prohibition-era conflict between Toledo saloonkeeper Jack Kennedy and mobster Yonni Licavoli and his gang.
The awards committee reviewed six books this spring, and the CAC is now accepting nominees for next year’s honors. More information is available on the CAC’s website.