University of Nebraska Press

University of Nebraska Press is a prominent academic publisher affiliated with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Established in the mid-20th century, it has grown into a major publisher of scholarly works, literature in translation, and titles focusing on the Great Plains, Native American studies, and military history. The press is widely recognized for its Bison Books imprint, which revitalizes significant out-of-print works, and for its commitment to publishing influential series and award-winning titles.

History

The press was founded in 1941 under the direction of the university's chancellor, Edgar Burnett. Its early publications were closely tied to the academic strengths of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, focusing on regional history and the natural sciences of the Great Plains. A significant early milestone was the publication of the multi-volume *History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark*, cementing its interest in exploration narratives. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it expanded its lists under directors like Virginia Faulkner and Willis G. Regier, moving into literary translations, particularly from European languages, and establishing its reputation in Native American studies. The acquisition of the Bison Books imprint in the 1960s allowed it to republish classic works of Western Americana and literature, greatly expanding its reach to general readers.

Publications and series

The press publishes approximately 150 new titles annually across a wide range of disciplines. Its scholarly output is organized into notable series such as *Studies in the Anthropology of North American Indians*, *France Overseas: Studies in Empire and Decolonization*, and *The Mexican Experience*. The Bison Books imprint is its flagship trade paperback line, renowned for bringing back into print seminal works by authors like Mari Sandoz, Wright Morris, and Willa Cather. Other key imprints include Potomac Books (specializing in military and political history), Flyover Fiction (dedicated to contemporary Midwestern literature), and it manages the publication of scholarly proceedings for the American Philosophical Society. The press also publishes several academic journals, including *Great Plains Quarterly* and *Great Plains Research*.

Notable authors and works

The press's catalog features a distinguished roster of authors and landmark works. It is the primary publisher for the works of chronicler Mari Sandoz, including *Crazy Horse: The Strange Man of the Oglalas*. Through its commitment to translation, it has published English editions of major international figures like Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness of Iceland and the acclaimed Czech author Bohumil Hrabal. Notable works in its list include John G. Neihardt's *Black Elk Speaks*, N. Scott Momaday's Pulitzer Prize-winning *House Made of Dawn* (in the Bison edition), and the seminal ethnographic work *The Omaha Tribe* by Alice Cunningham Fletcher and Francis La Flesche. Contemporary authors published include Ted Kooser, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and Louise Erdrich.

Governance and operations

As part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the press operates under the oversight of the university's administration and an editorial board of faculty scholars. Its editorial offices are located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The press utilizes a hybrid distribution model; its titles are distributed in the United States by Longleaf Services, a consortium providing services to several university presses. International distribution is handled by partners including the Eurospan Group in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, UBC Press in Canada, and East-West Export Books in the Asia-Pacific region. This structure supports its mission to disseminate scholarly and regional work globally.

Awards and recognition

The press and its authors have received numerous prestigious awards. These include the National Book Award, with titles like Timothy Egan's *The Worst Hard Time* winning in the Nonfiction category. Its translations have been recognized with prizes such as the National Translation Award for works from Icelandic and French. The American Book Award has been awarded to several of its publications in Native American studies. The press itself has been honored by the Association of American University Presses for design and marketing excellence, and its Bison Books imprint has been celebrated for preserving the literary heritage of the American West.

Category:University presses of the United States Category:Book publishing companies based in Nebraska Category:University of Nebraska–Lincoln