I had planned on doing one of those hokey ‘Best of 2007’ lists ONLY if I had a day in which nothing else meaningful came to mind. Well… I have to say [yawn] that the lack of sleep is finally catching up with me and at the risk of making mistakes writing something ‘publishable,’ I would much rather have a little fun and bestow upon my friends and associates some meaningless accolades. As a result, my wonderfully drowsy and sleep-deprived mind has spawned the first annual Golden Kepi’s. This highly coveted award symbolizes the best in the field of history-related contributions. Congrats to all the 2007 winners:

Best Book: Stealing The General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor by Russell S. Bonds

Best Article: Annihilation of a Regiment, America’s Civil War (July 07) by J. David Petruzzi

Best DVD: Still Standing: The Stonewall Jackson Story, Franklin Springs Family Media, Richard G. Williams Jr.

Best Website: Civil War Interactive (CWi)

Best Battlefield Photos: Draw The Sword, Jennifer Goellnitz 

Best Blog: Rantings of a Historian, Eric J. Wittenberg

Best Blog Post: Never one to pass up the bandwagon, Living Rangerously, Mannie Gentile (Nov. 19)

Best Preservationist Event: CWPT Appreciation Picnic at Ellwood Plantation

Best Re-enactment: Gathering of Eagles II: June 2-3, Hosted by Lee’s Lieutenants

Best Cause: Save Oakwood Cemetery, Sons of Confederate Veterans

Best Tour Taken: Stonewall Jackson Headquarters, Winchester, VA

Best 2007 Award ‘Giverer’: Me