Joseph J. Spengler Best Book Award

In 2004 the Society established the Joseph J.
Spengler Prize for the best book in the history of economics. Beside the honor, there is a stipend of $500 plus travel expenses up to $500 to attend the presentation at the Society's annual conference.

Selection Process

Eligibility: Original, authored (non-edited) books in the history of economics published, in English originally, during the three calendar years preceding the HES Meeting at which the award is presented. Scholarly books and monographs are eligible, but neither textbooks, nor doctoral dissertations, are eligible.

Nomination process: Up to two nominations can be made per publisher for books published in the period of eligibility. Publishers should send a nominating note, and four copies of the book to the Secretary of HES by December 1 of the year preceding the HES meeting in which the award is presented. Individuals may "self-nominate" by sending a covering note and two copies of the book to the HES Secretary by December 1. Similarly, HES members may nominate an eligible book by sending a note and two copies of the book to the HES Secretary by December 1 (it is suggested that the nominator check with the Secretary to insure that the book has not already been nominated). Books may be re-nominated in successive years while eligible de novo.

The Secretary of the HES is Tim Leonard. The Chair of the 2007-08 Spengler Book Prize Committee is Ross Emmett .