By now, we've learned that the blurbs on the covers of books should be taken with a grain of salt, but I've been known to be critical of the Organization of American Historians from time to time (viz., for example, here). It came as a pleasant surprise some months ago, therefore, when Joyce Appleby told me that my article,"Murder and Biblical Memory: The Legend of Vernon Johns," had been chosen to appear in the premier volume in an annual series that Palgrave/MacMillan will publish and the OAH will sponsor, The Best American History Essays, 2006. I found this paragraph about it particularly -- well -- both amusing and flattering:

In this debut volume, former OAH and AHA president Joyce Appleby has gathered ten of the best American history essays and articles from over three hundred learned and popular journals published in the last year. Written by such eminent historians as Joseph Ellis, Ralph E. Luker, and Thomas J. Sugrue, the book's essays cover all aspects of American history, from the early days of the republic to the twentieth century.

"Eminent." Did you get that? Duke University and Durham, North Carolina? Did you get that? Allegheny College? Did you get that? Virginia Polytechnic Institute? Delaware Humanities Forum? Did you get that? Lincoln University? The Martin Luther King Papers Project? Emory University? Antioch College? Morehouse College? I was run out of every one of them. Did all you all get that? Eminent. Your laughter and applause are welcome in comments.

Ralph E. Luker - 2/15/2006

Garrow's arrest shortly after he led the charge against Ellis might suggest to all of us that any one of us might well find ourselves accused.

Sherman Jay Dorn - 2/15/2006

I'll certainly chime in here!

Sherman Jay Dorn - 2/15/2006

I'll take a pass on deciding whose glass houses are more fragile (though I'm not sure what precisely Garrow's foibles mean vis-a-vis Ellis, other than reflecting on Garrow's character). Ellis is certainly eminent in terms of his writing.

Ralph E. Luker - 2/13/2006

Sherman, Joe Ellis actually is eminent; and I think that we should be charitable about his case. After all, David Garrow was the loudest voice calling for Joe's censure ... and then David was arrested for assault of a staff member at Emory's law school ...

Nathanael D. Robinson - 2/13/2006

... kick 'em in the ass with it. You deserve the recognition.

Rebecca Anne Goetz - 2/13/2006

We bow before the mighty Ralph!! :) (Seriously, congratulations. Now, does the OAH pay you and add you to its list of Distinguished Lecturers?)

Jonathan Dresner - 2/13/2006

Hip, hip, hooray!

Oscar Chamberlain - 2/13/2006

Amen! Amen!

Sharon Howard - 2/13/2006

We are not worthy! We are not worthy!

Sherman Jay Dorn - 2/13/2006

And, of the two others mentioned, I'd *much* rather be associated with Tom Sugrue. He's eminent and ethical, to boot.