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\u2019s Wolfson History Prize shortlist.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhether or not you agree with their arguments, these six books will inspire and provoke,\u201d says Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

More historical reading inspiration<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Looking for a great read? Here\u2019s BBC History Magazine<\/em>\u2019s <\/strong>Books of the Year for 2021<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Looking for an escapist read? Here are our favourite works of <\/strong>historical fiction<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
What is the Wolfson History Prize? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
The\u00a0Wolfson\u00a0History 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\u2019s 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n
Previous winners have included Mary Beard, Anthony Beevor, David Abulafia and Amanda Vickery.<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s Wolfson History Prize was awarded to Sudhir Hazareesingh\u2019s Black Spartacus:<\/em>\u00a0The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture<\/em>, an in-depth exploration of the leader the Haitian Revolution<\/a>.<\/p>\n
On the podcast | <\/strong>Sudhir Hazareesingh on Toussaint Louverture\u2019s revolutionary life<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Who are the judges of the Wolfson History Prize 2022?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>This year there are four judges on this year\u2019s Wolfson History Prize judging panel:<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>David Cannadine (chair) | <\/strong>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<\/li>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>Richard Evans | <\/strong>Regius Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Cambridge<\/li>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>Carole Hillenbrand | <\/strong>Professor Emerita of Islamic History at the University of Edinburgh and Professorial Fellow (Islamic History) at the University of St Andrews<\/li>\n
Diarmaid MacCulloch\u00a0| <\/strong>Fellow of Saint Cross College and Campion Hall, and Professor Emeritus of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Wolfson History<\/strong> Prize 2022 shortlist<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The six books shortlisted for the\u00a0Wolfson\u00a0History Prize 2022 were announced on 21 April 2022<\/strong>. The following titles have made this year\u2019s shortlist.<\/p>\n
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The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Marc David Baer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>| Published by Basic Books<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the judges said: \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
From this author | What if the Ottomans had lost the battle of Lepanto?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
On the HistoryExtra<\/em> podcast | Marc David Baer discusses <\/strong>the <\/strong>Ottoman <\/strong>\u201cAge of Discovery\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Buy this book now on Amazon<\/a> | Waterstones<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Malcolm Gaskill<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>| Published by Allen Lane<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the judges said: \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch | <\/strong>Malcolm Gaskill on The Ruin of All Witches<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
On the HistoryExtra<\/em> podcast | Malcolm Gaskill <\/strong>discusses <\/strong>a forgotten witch hunt in New England<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Buy this book now on Amazon<\/a> | Waterstones<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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Devil-Land: England Under Siege, 1588-1688<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Clare Jackson<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>| Published by Allen Lane<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the judges said: \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
From this author | <\/strong>Why England was seen as a \u201cpariah state\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
On the HistoryExtra<\/em> podcast | Clare Jackson discusses<\/strong> the turbulent Stuart century<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Buy this book now on Amazon<\/a> | Waterstones<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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Going to Church in Medieval England<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Nicholas Orme<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>| Published by Yale University Press<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the judges said: \u201cAn engaging and often moving account of how religious life was woven into people\u2019s everyday experiences from Anglo-Saxon times to the Reformation. A sparkling book.\u201d<\/p>\n
From this author | <\/strong>Your guide to religion and worship in the Middle Ages<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
On the HistoryExtra<\/em> podcast | Nicholas Orme <\/strong>explores <\/strong>the church in medieval England<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Buy this book now on Amazon<\/a> | Waterstones<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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God: An Anatomy<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Francesca Stavrakopoulou<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>| Published by Picador<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the judges said: \u201cOriginal and courageous. This ambitious yet readable discussion of the physicality of God enhances our understanding of the history of monotheistic religions and Western culture.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Buy this book now on Amazon<\/a> | Waterstones<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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Fallen Idols: Twelve Statues That Made History<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Alex von Tunzelmann<\/strong> | Published by Headline<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the judges said: \u201cIntelligent, illuminating and thoroughly enjoyable. A well-researched book that uses carefully chosen case studies to shed light on a topic of contemporary debate.\u201d<\/p>\n
From this author | <\/strong>\u201cDebates about statues are often posed in simplistic primary colours\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
On the HistoryExtra<\/em> podcast | Alex von Tunzelmann on the <\/strong>great statue debate: should they stand or fall?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
Buy this book now on Amazon<\/a> | Waterstones<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
When will the Wolfson History Prize 2022 winner be announced?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The winner of the Wolfson History Prize 2022 will be announced on\u00a0Wednesday 22 June 2022<\/strong>\u00a0in a ceremony at the Wallace Collection in London.<\/p>\n
To mark the 50th anniversary of the prize, the winner will be awarded \u00a350,000, while each of the other shortlisted authors will receive \u00a35,000.<\/p>\n
Read more about the Wolfson History Prize on the <\/strong>official website<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
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