26 Aug 2024 2024 Evans Biography Finalist & Evans Handcart Award Winner

by Da Quanisha Parks

The University of Utah Press is pleased to announce that Amy Tanner Thiriot has received the Evans Handcart Award for Slavery in Zion: A Documentary & Genealogical History of Black Lives & Black Servitude in Utah Territory, 1847­­­­–1862. The University of Utah Press is also pleased to note that Dale L. Morgan: Mormon and Western Histories in Transition by Richard L. Saunders was named an Evans Biography Award Finalist. In previous years, The University of Utah Press has won and had finalist of the Evans Biography and Evans Handcard Awards. Since it was published in 2023, Slavery in Zion has won the Dwight L. Smith award from the Western History Association and the Juanita Brooks Best Book in Utah History award from the Utah State Historical Society.

Slavery in Zion: A Documentary & Genealogical History of Black Lives & Black Servitude in Utah Territory, 1847­­­­–1862 combines genealogical and historical research to reveal events and relationships unknown or misunderstood for well over a century. Thiriot documents around 100 Black men, women and children who were enslaved or indentured within Utah Territory. One juror on the regional committee noted: “This book is a meticulously researched reclamation project that bears significant fruit. This work corrects some historical errors and illuminates other areas, while acknowledging that there is still work to be done. It makes contributions not only to the history of slavery in the Utah Territory, but also adds to the broader history of slavery in the American West.” University of Utah Press Director Glenda Cotter remarked that “We are pleased by this acknowledgment of the importance of Amy Tanner Thiriot’s very careful and thorough work. We’re proud to have published this significant contribution to Utah and the nation’s history.”

The University of Utah Press had the pleasure of hosting “A Conversation on Mormon Mormon Biographies” with the author of Dale. L. Morgan: Mormon and Western Histories in Transition. Richard L. Saunders is joined by Stephen C. Taysom, Lindsay Hansen Park and Gregory A. Price, winner of the 2016 Evan Biography Award with Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History. If you are interested in a lively and insightful conversation on biography, moderated by the University of Utah Press acquiring editor Jedediah Rogers, visit the University of Utah Press YouTube or blog. Slavery in Zion, Dale. L. Morgan, Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History and may be purchased through the University of Utah Press by calling 800-621-2736, ordering online, or by visiting your local bookstore.

Interesting in local bookstores in Salt Lake Valley?

Check out our latest blog featuring Marissa’s Bookstore!

Interested in more events with the University of Utah?

Check out our upcoming events!

Da Quanisha Parks currently works for the University of Utah Press as a graduate research assistant for marketing while earning an MS in Environmental Humanities.