FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Dr. Elliott West, professor of history at the University of Arkansas, has claimed yet another prestigious honor for his book, "The Contested Plains: Indians, Goldseekers, and the Rush to Colorado."

PEN Center USA West recently announced the winners of its 1999 literary awards competition. Among five nominees nationwide, "The Contested Plains" was selected as Best Research-Based Nonfiction. This represents the book’s fourth national award since its publication in 1998.

"Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of this award is the fact that it is nominated and judged by other writers," said West.

PEN Center USA West - the abbreviation originally stood for Poets, Essayists, and Novelists - is an organization of professional writers and journalists, dedicated to the promotion of literature and freedom of expression in the United States.

PEN founded its literary awards competition in 1982 to honor outstanding works published or produced in the western United States. Award categories include fiction, poetry, journalism, children’s literature and screenplay, among others.

In the category of research-based nonfiction, West beat out five other nominees, including UA alumnus Gordon Grice, who graduated from the University’s creative writing program in 1993. West’s award for such a victory is a $1,000 cash prize and a trip to Los Angeles for the PEN Center honors banquet in October.

West’s book chronicles the history of the American Great Plains in a narrative that weaves together two stories - that of the people and that of the land. Over the past year it has won nationwide acclaim, including several prestigious awards.

The Western Writers of America foundation selected "The Contested Plains" as Best Western Nonfiction - Historical. In addition, the book has been awarded the prestigious Ray Allen Billington Prize by the Organization of American Historians and the Frances Parkman Award for best book in U.S. History.

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