Garrett Epps has many credentials. At the School of Law, he is both a professor and the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics Research Scholar. A Harvard-educated former journalist, Epps wrote for The New York Times and The Washington Post. He is also the author of several books, the most recent of which – “Democracy Reborn: The Fourteenth Amendment and the Fight for Equal Rights in Post-Civil War America” – is up for an Oregon Book Award.
Every year the annual Oregon Book Awards recognizes outstanding authors in various genres including poetry, novel, creative non-fiction and children’s literature. This year, three University professors – Epps, John Bellamy Foster and Ben Saunders – are finalists to receive the Francis Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction.
Epps’ book, a general-interest narrative set in 1866, is centered around the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted rights to former slaves.
“It was written to explain the most important change in the Constitution since 1787 in a way people will enjoy and understand, and I hope it succeeds,” Epps explained in a phone interview from Baltimore.
Epps said that while winning would be an honor, just being a finalist is actually the most flattering part. The fact that his book was nominated meant someone read it and found it worthwhile, he said.
“It made me very proud of my book and also to be a part of the University of Oregon,” Epps said.
Saunders said more than that, it made him proud to be a part of Oregon.
“It should be no surprise that a large number of authors who live in this state are based at the University,” he said. “To be honest, I think it says more about the wonderful state of Oregon – the fact that this state recognizes and supports the achievements of writers.”
Saunders’ book, “Desiring Donne: Poetry, Sexuality, Interpretation,” is focused on the role played by desire in interpretive practice. He emphasizes Jacobean poet John Donne.
“It has really been one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me, in professional terms,” Saunders, an associate English professor, said in an e-mail.
“In the end, I suppose I’m saying that literary criticism is far more than a (perhaps slightly peculiar) mode of verbal analysis,” he said. “It’s actually a (perhaps slightly peculiar) act of love.”
Foster, a professor in the sociology department, wrote “Naked Imperialism: The U.S. Pursuit of Global Dominance” on the transformation in U.S. global policy and ideology.
A collection of essays, “Naked Imperialism” examines the idea that global capitalism makes way for future barbarism.
While the Oregon Book Awards is sponsored by Literary Arts, the Portland-based non-profit group doesn’t decide who receives them. Every year, different judges from out of state are selected for each category, said Director of Programs and Events Susan Denning.
“We just hire the judges and instruct them to do their best,” Denning said. “We ask them to use literary merit as the sole criteria.”
Judging the non-fiction category this year is Robert Polito, director of the writing program at the New School in New York City.
The Oregon Book Awards winners will be determined on Dec. 2 at the Portland Art Museum. Following the ceremony, all 24 finalists will be invited to take part in the Oregon Book Awards Authors Tour, which visits libraries and independent bookstores throughout the state.
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Three professors among finalists for book award
Daily Emerald
October 20, 2007
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