Books on imperialism, Indigenous sovereignty and gun control shortlisted for $101K historical writing prize
McGill University administers the Cundill History Prize, a global prize for English-language writing
Books on imperialism, Indigenous sovereignty and gun control have made the shortlist for the 2024 Cundill History Prize.
The $75,000 US ($101,119 Cdn) prize annually recognizes the best historical nonfiction work of the year, which exhibits literary excellence and broad appeal. It is administered by McGill University in Montreal and is open to books about any historical period or subject, by authors of all nationalities from across the world.
Stuart A. Reid, nominated for The Lumumba Plot, is the only Canadian to make the 2024 shortlist.
The complete shortlist is:
- Judgement at Tokyo by Gary J. Bass
- They Called It Peace by Lauren Benton
- Shadows at Noon by Joya Chatterji
- Native Nations by Kathleen DuVal
- Gun Country by Andrew C. McKevitt
- Before the Movement by Dylan C. Penningroth
- The Lumumba Plot by Stuart A. Reid
- Revolusi by David Van Reybrouck, translated by David Colmer and David McKay
"One element that stands out among the brilliant books on this shortlist is their timeliness," said jury chair and British historian Rana Mitter in a press statement. "Although all are products of years of deep research, they touch on topics – the balance between freedom and responsibility, the need to account for and atone for war, the continuing rise of the Global South – that speak to major issues in the present day."
The 2024 jury is rounded out by historian American Nicole Eustace, Canadian journalist and writer Stephanie Nolen, Nigerian historian Moses Ochonu and American historian Rebecca L. Spang.
Three finalists will be named on Oct. 3. The two runners-up will each receive $10,000 US ($13,476 Cdn).The winner will be announced on Oct. 30.
Last year's winner was Tania Branigan for her book Red Memory.
Other previous winners also include Marjoleine Kars, Camilla Townsend, Julia Lovell and Maya Jasanoff.
Corrections
- This article has been updated to reflect the fact that Stuart A. Reid is Canadian.Sep 16, 2024 9:19 AM ET
