Olson makes LA Times' 'Best Non-Fiction Book
of 2003 List'
For years James S. Olson has won awards for molding the minds
of Sam Houston State University students. Recently, Olson
has accumulated several accolades for his recent book, “Bathsheba's
Breast: Women, Cancer & History,” published by Johns
Hopkins University Press.
“Bathsheba’s Breast,” is an acclaimed history
of breast cancer from ancient times to present day, chronicles
various people who received breast cancer and more controversial
topics such as the gender differences in medicine.
Olson, who is author and editor of 40 books, was nominated
for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in History, won the 2002 Excellence
in Research Award in the History of Science Category, and
most recently was named by the “Los Angeles Times”
to a “Best Non-Fiction Book of 2003.”
Olson, a victim of cancer, said that winning awards for “Bathsheba’s
Breast” is simply “fulfilling,” because
he receives feedback from actual cancer patients.
“This book was close to my heart and to have that recognized
is very fulfilling,” Olson said. “It’s very
satisfying because I’ve received more comments on this
book (‘Bathsheba’s Breast’) than most of
the other ones combined.”
Despite being named to only one of 50 spots in the “Los
Angeles Times’ Best Non-Fiction Book of 2003 List.”
and the Pulitzer Prize nomination, Olson maintains his “Excellence
in Research Award” holds a special place in his heart
over the other accolades because it corresponds with science.
“That award is important because it’s in the field
of science,” said Olson, “and that is a field
I am not trained in, so to win that award was very fulfilling.”
Nick Owchar, from the Los Angeles Times, proclaims Olson’s
book is beneficial to current cancer patients and breast cancer
survivors.
"Olson’s book is an invaluable aid to those breast
cancer survivors with an interest in taking the long view
of their illness,” Owchar said. “Today's cancer
research offers plenty of hope to all those courageous people
on the journey initiated by their diagnosis, and ‘Bathsheba's
Breast’ is an important traveling companion whose most
promising chapters have yet to be written."
Olson is currently writing a book on the history of M.D. Anderson
Hospital covering everything from the patients and physicians,
to the oncologists and the study of cancer.
Olson has been a history professor at SHSU since 1972 and
has been chair of the History Department since 1988.
- END -
SHSU Media Contact: Eric
Barton
May 4, 2004
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