2025 British Academy Book Prize
Awarded annually since 2013, the British Academy’s non-fiction book prize recognises work that searches for truth and reason in difficult places, and shines a light on the connections and divisions that shape cultural identity worldwide.
Spanning a broad range of subjects from the global politics of women’s health to Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church, these books lead readers across continents and the pivotal moments in their history.
Each title offers a new perspective on issues of global importance, united by rigorous research and a remarkable ability to tell powerful stories in an engaging and compelling way.
2025's books
Commenting on behalf of the judges, chair of the panel Professor Rebecca Earle FBA said:
“The Burning Earth is a magisterial account of the interconnections between human history and environmental transformation. It is vivid in detail and beautifully written – important reading for anyone seeking to understand the origins of today’s climate crisis. Amrith is a remarkable scholar whose global perspective reveals the impact of the environment on human history, as well as our impact on the environment.
"In fact, as he shows, it’s not really possible to separate these two. It is never an easy task to choose one winner from an exceptional shortlist of six, but our panel agreed that The Burning Earth exemplified the spirit of the prize: to deepen understanding of our world.”
The 2025 British Academy Book Prize is supported by the Hawthornden Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
Our bookshop partner is the London Review Bookshop.