Brookville, NY – On October 23, 2025, the Society of Presidential Descendants will host its 2025 Biennial Presidential Leadership Book Awards at the iconic University Club in New York City. The evening will be a rare gathering of America’s most prominent political families, as descendants of U.S. presidents come together to honor the authors who bring presidential history to life through powerful storytelling and scholarship.
Established to recognize outstanding works of non-fiction that deepen public understanding of the American presidency, the biennial award celebrates books that combine original insight, literary excellence, and historical depth. This year’s finalists—selected from a highly competitive field of nine distinguished titles—will be announced in early September. One winner, chosen by a panel of distinguished judges, will be revealed live during the October gala.
“This evening recognizes both scholarship and impact, celebrating authors who are historians as well as compelling storytellers,” said Tweed Roosevelt, president of the Society of Presidential Descendants and executive chairman of the Roosevelt School at Long Island University. “These are the voices shaping how we remember, interpret, and learn from our presidents.”
The event, hosted by former Congressman Steve Israel, will celebrate excellence in presidential scholarship and honor Mark K. Updegrove—president and chief executive officer of the LBJ Foundation—as the 2025 Distinguished Presidential Historian. Updegrove, an acclaimed author and leading authority on the American presidency, is being recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the public’s understanding of presidential leadership and legacy, including his work as director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and head of the LBJ Foundation.
The Presidential Leadership Book Awards offer guests an extraordinary opportunity to be immersed in history and conversation, surrounded by the descendants of past presidents and the authors who illuminate their stories for future generations.
https://societyofpresidentialdescendants.org/biennial-presidential-leadership-book-award/
