The Pritzker Military Library Literature Award recognizes a living author for a body of work that has profoundly enriched the public understanding of American military history.  The recipient's contributions may be academic, non-fiction, fiction, or a combination of any of the three, and his or her work should embody the values of the Pritzker Military Library.  A national panel of historians, writers and individuals related to the study of American history and heritage - including the first recipient of the award James M. McPherson - reviewed nominations and definitive works submitted by publishers, agents, book sellers and other professional literary organizations.  The finalist recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the executive council of the Foundation established to oversee the award process.

James N. Pritzker states, "The selection committee has honored an individual whose life's work in the area of understanding and writing about military history is at the highest scholarly level.  Allan Millett's written work, teaching and other pursuits have educated and informed us all in a most profound way.  In creating this premiere annual award to recognize one author's lifetime commitment to scholarly writing on military topics we ultimately hope to contribute to a better understanding of the horrible complexities of war, past, present and future."

The Director of the Eisenhower Center for American Studies and Ambrose Professor of History, University of New Orleans and the Maj. Gen. Raymond E. Mason, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Military History, The Ohio State University, Allan R. Millett is a specialist in the history of America's military policy, twentieth century wars, and military institutions. 

He is author of many books including Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps; The Politics of Intervention: The Military Occupation of Cuba, 1906-1909; The General: Robert L. Bullard and Officership in the United States Army; and In Many a Strife: General Gerald C. Thomas and the U.S. Marine Corps. He is the co-author of For the Common Defense and A War to Be Won: Fighting the Second World War. 

In the past decade, Millett also has become a specialist of international stature on the history of the Korean War. He began his work on the war as a Fulbright Distinguished Professor, Korean National Defense University, in 1991, and a Fellow of the Korea Foundation, 1996.  In this area of scholarship, Millett has written Their War for Korea (2000) and A House Burning: The War for Korea (2005).  Four of his books are on the required reading list for officers of the U.S. Armed Services and he has contributed original essays to fifteen books on the Korean War, World War II, American historiography, foreign and defense policy and military history.  Dr. Millett also has written more than thirty articles for such publications as International Security, The Americas, Armed Forces and Society, Strategic Review, Journal of Strategic Studies, and Military History Quarterly.

Dr. Millett is a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.  His military experience included twelve years of reserve service in infantry units, including command of an infantry battalion, for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1989.

States Millett, "The Tawani Foundation and the Pritzker Military Library honor me with the second annual Pritzker Award for lifetime achievement in military history scholarship.  The award is especially satisfying since it is decided by a group of distinguished historians.  I share this honor with my two co-authors, Peter Maslowski and Williamson Murray, and with our loyal legion of graduate students at The Ohio State University.  I am indebted to the Mershon Center at Ohio State and to General and Mrs. Raymond E. Mason, Jr., who have supported my research."

Millett's nomination was submitted by two of his publishers, the University Press of Kansas and Harvard University Press. 

Michael Briggs, Editor In Chief of the University Press of Kansas, states, “Long before I began working with Allan Millett, I knew of him by reputation—as one of America's premier military historians.  In the ensuing years, his stature and contributions—including volume one of his Korean War trilogy published by Kansas—have continued to grow, further enlarging the boundaries for a field that combines rigorous scholarship and popular appeal. He is without question a consummate scholar and writer, utterly professional and reliable, traits that have illuminated every aspect of our publishing relationship. He brings to the table both a well-earned confidence and a willingness to listen to editorial advice, all in the service of an unrelenting commitment to excellence and high standards. I consider it an honor and a privilege to call him my colleague and friend."

Joyce Seltzer, Senior Executive Editor in History and Contemporary Affairs at the Harvard University Press, states, “I am delighted that our author, Allan R. Millett, has won the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.  He has contributed so substantially to the revitalization and reconceptualization of military history over the last four decades.  As the co-author, with Williamson Murray, of A War To Be Won: Fighting the Second World War, he continued his quest to broaden and deepen the field of military history so as to capture the fullest meanings and dimensions of war.  The book is a tour de force, bringing to life the innumerable people, places, and events occurring in both the European and Pacific theaters and providing a brilliant overall narrative that never loses sight of the critical significance and implications of the war."

The Pritzker Military Library Literature Award will be presented on October 4, 2008 during the Library's annual Liberty Gala at Chicago's historic Drake Hotel (140 E. Walton Place). The Library will also recognize the philanthropic efforts of the McCormick Foundation with the Founder's Award. The evening will include a tribute to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information on the Liberty Gala or to purchase tickets, visit the Gala website at: www.pmlgala.org.