Award-winning Environmental Studies professor offers readers a deeper understanding of the natural world and the change we can affect by detailing the history of environmental progress, policy, and conflict in Yellowstone National Park.
Environmental Studies Prof. Randall Wilson has been named the winner of the 2025 Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize in American History for his newest book, “A Place Called Yellowstone: The Epic History of the World’s First National Park.” The award, presented by the New York Historical, is given annually to the best book of the year in the field of American history or biography.
Published in 2024 by Counterpoint, “A Place Called Yellowstone” highlights the historical significance of the park in United States history, while also pointing out the cultural and ideological divides that have led to conflict and tension since it was established as America’s first national park in 1872. Despite that turmoil, Yellowstone remains one of the few entities capable of bridging ideological divides in our nation.
“Randall Wilson’s remarkable book has redefined the concept of a biography,” said Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang, chair of The New York Historical’s Board of Trustees. “Randall’s sweeping epic illustrates why Yellowstone became America’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and how its tempestuous awesomeness has come to symbolize the fiery, beating heart of our evolving nation.”
In its 20th year of competition, the New York Historical award was created to promote the reading and study of American history. It includes an engraved medal, $50,000 cash prize to the author, and the title of American Historian Laureate. The award will be presented on April 25 at the Chair’s Council Weekend with History, an annual gathering of the New-York Historical Society’s most committed supporters.
“The New York Historical is one of our nation’s most venerable institutions, notable not only as a resource for preserving, exploring, and rethinking our past, but for charting a course for the future of American democracy,” said Wilson. “I am truly honored to be associated with The New York Historical and to be included among the incredibly distinguished past recipients of the Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize.”
“Randall Wilson’s remarkable book has redefined the concept of a biography.”
– Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang,
Chair of The New York Historical’s Board of Trustees
In a review for the Los Angeles Times, Lorraine Berry noted, “Wilson’s talent as a storyteller shines through in turning dry bureaucratic bumbling and crony corruption into a focus on individual exploits and entertaining tales. It makes for great reading.”
Wilson’s book was chosen from more than 150 submissions by a prize committee comprising historians and The Historical’s leadership. Last year’s winner was Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathan Eig for “King: A Life.” Other past award winners have included Beverly Gage, Alan Taylor, Ben Steil, and John A. Farrell. While typically highlighting political history and prominent world leaders, the award has also featured broader works that resonate in the current moment.
“Prof. Randy Wilson brings the same thoroughness and thoughtfulness to his scholarship as he brings to his classes, inspiring readers and students in like manner to learn more, think deeply, and take action that has positive impact,” said College Provost Jamila Bookwala. “It is an absolute honor for Gettysburg College to have Prof. Randy Wilson on our faculty.”
“A Place Called Yellowstone” is Wilson’s second foray into writing about the park and environmental history. His first book, “America’s Public Lands: From Yellowstone to Smokey Bear and Beyond,” was named an Outstanding Academic Title of the Year from Choice Reviews and won the John Brinckerhoff Jackson Prize from the Association of American Geographers.
As a member of Gettysburg’s faculty, Wilson teaches courses on environmental history and policy, natural resource management, and the geography of the American West. Gettysburg students have supported his award-winning works through research, while also creating their own impactful projects on issues ranging from park accessibility to the reintroduction of the wolf population. For Wilson, publishing his work and teaching students is about empowering people with knowledge and understanding about how we effect the world around us.
“It’s not just understanding natural science; it’s being able to communicate it and the difference that you can make in society,” said Wilson. “Making the world a better place often is not just holding all that information in, but sharing it with the wider world.”
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By Corey Jewart
Posted: 03/26/25