Texas Historical Commission Awards TAMIU Professor

The Texas Historical Commission has named Texas A&M International University Regents professor Jerry Thompson as the winner of the 2004 T.R. Fehrenbach Book Award for his book Civil War & Revolution on the Rio Grande Frontier: A Narrative and Photographic History.

In his book, Dr. Thompson outlines the story of the fighting that erupted in Zapata County only days after the shots fired at Fort Sumter initiated the American Civil War.

Thompson's book is an illustrated history that narrates the deadly toll of war featuring more than 125 vintage images taken by a skilled Prussian photographer, Louis de Planque and other photographers.

Civil War & Revolution on the Rio Grande Frontier: A Narrative and Photographic History covers not only the Civil War itself, but the guerilla fighting that continued long after the official end of the war, and the fatal raids and mercenary armies that devastated both sides of the border, as well as the "justice" that would sometimes amount to random hanging.

Thompson holds a doctorate in History from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has been a member of the TAMIU faculty since 1985.

Civil War & Revolution on the Rio Grande Frontier: A Narrative and Photographic History is available at stores or direct from Texas A&M University Press or by calling 800.826.8911 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu