Ohio University Press' "Set the Ploughshare Deep" Garners American Library Association Honor

Contact: Media Specialist Jess Goode, (740) 597-1793 or goode@ohio.edu

ATHENS, Ohio (June 19, 2001) -- Naming it one of "The Best of the Best from University Presses," The American Library Association this week is honoring Timothy Murphy's "Set the Ploughshare Deep: a Prairie Memoir," published by Ohio University Press.

"Ploughshare" and Ohio University Press are among the 40 books and 18 universities that the ALA is honoring in the university press "Best of the Best" category. "Ploughshare" was chosen from over 375 titles submitted to the ALA, and shares this recognition with books published by Cambridge, Columbia, the Smithsonian and Yale.

"'Set the Ploughshare Deep' is one of the best books ever written about the harsh life of the northern plains and the resilient spirit of the people who live there," said poet David Mason. "Murphy knows the farmers and hunters of his community as no other poet has known them. He writes both prose and verse as if each word were a drop of his own blood - sparingly, and with utter conviction. By its art, this book transcends regionalism. It is a thoughtful song of praise."

The book's combination of prose and poetry, illustrated by Charles Beck's rustic woodcuts, allows a rare glimpse into the lives of the farmers of America's Great Plains.

Murphy's anecdotes cover his own trials as a farmer -- punctuated by floods, droughts, storms and bad luck. Hunting stories counterbalance Murphy's farming misfortunes. Running throughout the book is the Murphy family history, starting with E.J. Murphy in the late 19th century, as well as that of their friends and neighbors.

Founded in 1964, Ohio University Press is recognized for its literary studies, African and international studies, Western Americana and regional lists. Ohio University Press publishes about 48 new books a year and has more than 550 titles in print.