From the Editor

The reader will note that this issue contains an essay about Prohibition in Buffalo, New York. I had hoped to run this essay in the Spring 2010 issue alongside Julien Comte's "'Let the Federal Men Raid': Bootlegging and Prohibition Enforcement in Pittsburgh," but was unable to do so because of space constraints, and for that I have already apologized most profusely to the author, and now offer to you the same mea culpa, while imploring you to read this article in comparison with Mr. Comte's.

This will be my last issue as editor. In July, quite unexpectedly, I was named to an administrative post at my university. It is an extremely time- and attention-consuming position. It would be unfair to the Association, to the authors, and to you the reader to attempt to continue the job of editor.

It has been my pleasure to serve the Association on the editorial staff of Pennsylvania History since 1999, when my name first appeared as the book review editor for the Autumn 1999 issue—eleven and a half years if anyone is counting! In that time I have had the great joy of meeting and collaborating with hundreds of fine historians and regular people. Jeff Davis, who will also be stepping down as associate editor after five and one-half years, has been a tremendous asset and a terrific source of collegiality and friendship. He edited five very popular special issues and always stood ready to serve in other capacities as well. Book review editors Tom Kiffmeyer (2005-2007) and Dan Barr (2008-present) have done excellent and hard work in a job that is, unfortunately, rarely noticed. I have also had the great fortune of working with dozens of dedicated and talented Editorial Board members. Further, the staff at the Pennsylvania State University Press journals division, Julie Shippee in particular, has regularly produced for us handsome and timely volumes. The journal and the PHA have played greatly important roles in my development as a scholar, a teacher, and, most important, a person. Therefore it is indeed with great sadness that I leave this position, but before I do, it is incumbent upon me to publicly thank all of you, the members of the Pennsylvania Historical Association, who have afforded me this great privilege and honor. Whomever you select as my replacement will be fortunate indeed to assume this mantle of responsibility to operate a journal in which we all should share enormous pride.