Wolfson History Prize 2022: the shortlist revealed

By Kev Lochun

Published: Thursday, 21 April 2022 at 12:00 am

The radical years of the Stuart dynasty, the role of the church in medieval life, an examination of how statues define our history and an exploration of the concept of God are among the topics that feature in this year’s Wolfson History Prize shortlist.

First awarded in 1972, the annual Wolfson History Prize recognises authors who excel in writing readable and scholarly history for a general audience.

“Whether or not you agree with their arguments, these six books will inspire and provoke,” says Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation.

Some of the titles in the 2022 shortlist explore the importance of religion throughout the centuries. Others demonstrate that modern social and political divisions are nothing new.

“They offer the opportunity to learn more about what mattered to previous societies and to reflect on the significance of the past to current concerns and debates.”

What is the Wolfson History Prize?

The Wolfson History Prize was created to champion the best and most accessible historical writing and to highlight the importance of history to modern life. This year marks the prize’s 50th anniversary.

Previous winners have included Mary Beard, Anthony Beevor, David Abulafia and Amanda Vickery.

Last year’s Wolfson History Prize was awarded to Sudhir Hazareesingh’s Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, an in-depth exploration of the leader the Haitian Revolution.

On the podcast | Sudhir Hazareesingh on Toussaint Louverture’s revolutionary life

Who are the judges of the Wolfson History Prize 2022?

This year there are four judges on this year’s Wolfson History Prize judging panel:

David Cannadine (chair) | Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University, a Visiting Professor of History at the University of Oxford, the editor of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Richard Evans | Regius Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Cambridge
Carole Hillenbrand | Professor Emerita of Islamic History at the University of Edinburgh and Professorial Fellow (Islamic History) at the University of St Andrews
Diarmaid MacCulloch | Fellow of Saint Cross College and Campion Hall, and Professor Emeritus of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford

Wolfson History Prize 2022 shortlist

The six books shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize 2022 were announced on 21 April 2022. The following titles have made this year’s shortlist.

The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs

Marc David Baer | Published by Basic Books

What the judges said: “A hugely impressive sweeping narrative. Covering seven centuries, this book adds a new perspective to global history by emphasising the role of this longstanding and important dynasty.”

From this author | What if the Ottomans had lost the battle of Lepanto?
On the HistoryExtra podcast | Marc David Baer discusses the Ottoman “Age of Discovery”
Buy this book now on Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World

Malcolm Gaskill | Published by Allen Lane

What the judges said: “A riveting micro-history, brilliantly set within the broader social and cultural history of witchcraft. Drawing on previously neglected source material, this book is elegantly written and full of intelligent analysis.”

Watch | Malcolm Gaskill on The Ruin of All Witches
On the HistoryExtra podcast | Malcolm Gaskill discusses a forgotten witch hunt in New England
Buy this book now on Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

Devil-Land: England Under Siege, 1588-1688

Clare Jackson | Published by Allen Lane

What the judges said: “A masterpiece that will change our view of the 17th century. Exciting and well-written, it provides fresh insights by looking at England through European eyes.”

From this author | Why England was seen as a “pariah state”
On the HistoryExtra podcast | Clare Jackson discusses the turbulent Stuart century
Buy this book now on Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

Going to Church in Medieval England

Nicholas Orme | Published by Yale University Press

What the judges said: “An engaging and often moving account of how religious life was woven into people’s everyday experiences from Anglo-Saxon times to the Reformation. A sparkling book.”

From this author | Your guide to religion and worship in the Middle Ages
On the HistoryExtra podcast | Nicholas Orme explores the church in medieval England
Buy this book now on Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

God: An Anatomy

Francesca Stavrakopoulou | Published by Picador

What the judges said: “Original and courageous. This ambitious yet readable discussion of the physicality of God enhances our understanding of the history of monotheistic religions and Western culture.”

Buy this book now on Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

Fallen Idols: Twelve Statues That Made History

Alex von Tunzelmann | Published by Headline

What the judges said: “Intelligent, illuminating and thoroughly enjoyable. A well-researched book that uses carefully chosen case studies to shed light on a topic of contemporary debate.”

From this author | “Debates about statues are often posed in simplistic primary colours”
On the HistoryExtra podcast | Alex von Tunzelmann on the great statue debate: should they stand or fall?
Buy this book now on Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

When will the Wolfson History Prize 2022 winner be announced?

The winner of the Wolfson History Prize 2022 will be announced on Wednesday 22 June 2022 in a ceremony at the Wallace Collection in London.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the prize, the winner will be awarded £50,000, while each of the other shortlisted authors will receive £5,000.

Read more about the Wolfson History Prize on the official website

BBC History