Ruth Mostern won a book prize from the Association for Asian Studies

Ruth Mostern, professor in Pitt’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, won a book prize from the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) for her history of China’s Yellow River.

One Joseph Levenson Prize is awarded each year to an English-language book whose focus is on China before 1900. The AAS recognizes nonfiction books that increase understanding of the history, culture, society, politics or economy of China.

Mostern’s “The Yellow River: A Natural and Unnatural History” describes 3,000 years of how humans have shaped the natural system, and vice versa. The director of Pitt’s World History Center also incorporated her innovative digital history work into “The Yellow River,” which is informed by archival research and geographical information system records.

Mostern will be honored at the AAS 2023 Awards Ceremony on March 18.