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Richard Ovenden’s Burning the Books shortlisted for Wolfson History Prize

Posted on 21/04/2021

Huge congratulations to Richard, head of the Bodleian Library, whose wonderful Burning the Books: A History of Knowledge Under Attack, has been shortlisted for the £40,000 Wolfson History Prize.

The winner will be announced on June 9th, and the paperback of Burning the Books – complete with striking new cover – will be released on May 27th. You can pre-order it here.

‘A wonderful book, full of good stories and burning with passion’ SUNDAY TIMES, BOOKS OF THE YEAR

‘Compelling, fascinating and rewarding’ LITERARY REVIEW

‘When books burn, it is more than just words under attack . . . this extraordinary book should stir us to thinking and to action’ FINANCIAL TIMES

This marks the second year running that an FBA title has been recognised the UK’s most prestigious history prize, following John Barton’s 2020 shortlisting for A History of the Bible.

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The Hay Festival is in full swing, one of the biggest literary events of the year, and returning as always with an amazing programme of leading writers ✍️

This time round you can catch @lucy_worsley discussing legendary writer Agatha Christie (27th), Thomas Halliday taking us back into deep time (28th), @clarakiyoko spinning the tale of a Japan fractured by an infamous monster (29th), @sixteenthcgirl debating the role of country houses (30th), and @jonathancoewriter in conversation about his Orwell Prize shortlisted novel #Bournville (31st).

Later in the week Sally Adee discusses the history of bioelectricity (1st), Joseph Sassoon explains the defining forces of 19th-century Bombay (2nd), Mary Berry shares baking tips (3rd), James Naughtie chats about his thrilling third novel (3rd), @peterfrankopan shines a light on the history of our engagement with the natural world and climate (3rd), and A C Grayling works out the Socratic question (4th).

Happy Hay! 📚 Make sure to let us know if you are attending any of the events, and we hope all of our followers have a brilliant sunny back holiday weekend 🌞

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$The Hay Festival is in full swing, one of the biggest literary events of the year, and returning as always with an amazing programme of leading writers ✍️ This time round you can catch @lucy_worsley discussing legendary writer Agatha Christie (27th), Thomas Halliday taking us back into deep time (28th), @clarakiyoko spinning the tale of a Japan fractured by an infamous monster (29th), @sixteenthcgirl debating the role of country houses (30th), and @jonathancoewriter in conversation about his Orwell Prize shortlisted novel #Bournville (31st). Later in the week Sally Adee discusses the history of bioelectricity (1st), Joseph Sassoon explains the defining forces of 19th-century Bombay (2nd), Mary Berry shares baking tips (3rd), James Naughtie chats about his thrilling third novel (3rd), @peterfrankopan shines a light on the history of our engagement with the natural world and climate (3rd), and A C Grayling works out the Socratic question (4th). Happy Hay! 📚 Make sure to let us know if you are attending any of the events, and we hope all of our followers have a brilliant sunny back holiday weekend 🌞$

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