Writing Vandiver wrote, co-wrote or edited 24 books, most centered on the American Civil War. Almost half of his books were still in print at the time of his death, including his first book Ploughshares Into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate Ordnance (1952). His 1977 book Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing, was a runner-up for a National Book Award. He also published over 100 scholarly articles or reviews. Vandiver was awarded many honors for his work. Among these were honors from two Civil War Round Tables (Houston and Baton Rouge). The Houston Civil War Round Table renamed their annual award of merit the Frank E. Vandiver Award in 1985. Vandiver was also awarded a distinguished service award from the Houston chapter of the Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution, and was named an honorary professor at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion in Paraguay. Personal life The Houston Chronicle described Vandiver as "a colorful and articulate man with much personal charm". He was married twice. His first wife Carol Sue Smith died in 1979. In 1981 Vandiver married Renee Aubry Carmody. He had three children. Vandiver died at his home in College Station, Texas on January 7, 2005. Selected works Ploughshares Into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate Ordnance (1952) Rebel Brass: The Confederate Command System (1956) Mighty Stonewall (1957) Jubal's Raid: General Early's Famous Attack on Washington in 1864 (1960) Their Tattered Flags: The Epic of the Confederacy (1970) Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing (1977) — runner up for National Book Award Blood Brothers: A Short History of the Civil War (1992) Shadows of Vietnam: Lyndon Johnson's Wars (1997) 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Civil War (1999) 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About World War II (2000) References External links Frank E. Vandiver, obituary from Texas A&M University Guide to the Frank E. Vandiver papers, 1947-c. 1977 (Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA) 1926 births 2005 deaths 20th-century American historians American male non-fiction writers Presidents of Texas A&M University Rice University faculty University of North Texas University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts alumni Tulane University alumni Harold Vyvyan Harmsworth Professors of American History Historians from Texas 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American academics