University of South Alabama Press Release

University of South Alabama, Office of Public Relations

April 10, 2007
Contact: Leigh Patton, (251) 460-6211

Gaillard's Book Wins Book of the Year from Alabama Library Association

University of South Alabama Writer-in-Residence and author Frye Gaillard received the Alabama Library Association’s adult nonfiction award for 2007 for his book Cradle of Freedom: Alabama and the Movement that Changed America.

“I was delighted to learn that Cradle of Freedom has been named nonfiction book of the year by the Alabama Library Association,” Gaillard said. “This is a recognition that any writer would be honored to receive, but especially so in this case.”

Gaillard has been a Writer-in-Residence in the history and English departments at USA since 2005. Gaillard’s experiences as a journalist, author, freelance writer and founder of a publishing house have allowed him to become a mentor for students.

In 2000, Gaillard began a three-year research and writing project about the Civil Rights Movement that led to his award-winning book. The book has also won the 2005 Lillian Smith Award from the Southern Regional Council in Atlanta.

Frye Gaillard

“Cradle of Freedom attempts to tell the most important story in the recent history of our state, which is our pivotal role in the civil rights struggle that has made us a little more free,” Gaillard said.

Each year, the Alabama Library Association presents awards in categories for juvenile, young adult, adult fiction and adult nonfiction. The Author Awards Committee encourages, recognizes and promotes interests in Alabama authors and their books, whether the books are about Alabama or another subject. The awards are based on literary merit.

“The committee unanimously felt that Frye Gaillard's Cradle of Freedom was excellently written and made a significant contribution to the historical record of the state,” Timothy Berry, chair of the Author Awards Committee for the Alabama Library Association, said. “We are more than pleased to offer Mr. Gaillard our award for adult nonfiction.”

In order for an author to be honored, he or she must be born in Alabama and have lived in Alabama for at least five years. The book, however, must have been published within the past three calendar years prior to the year of the Association Convention at which the award is presented.

The Alabama Library Association will host its awards ceremony in Mobile on April 19 for this year’s winners.

Gaillard received his bachelor’s degree in history from Vanderbilt University in 1968. He is the author of 19 books and was nominated for an Emmy in 1995. Gaillard’s book Cradle of Freedom: Alabama and the Movement that Changed America is available at the USA Bookstore.