United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ Indian-American physician-author Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee‘s latest work, “The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human,” has earned a coveted spot on the longlist for the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. This annual prize, worth GBP 50,000, aims to honor outstanding non-fiction works from authors of any nationality and features Mukherjee’s book among the twelve contenders from around the globe.
Dr. Mukherjee, a cancer physician and researcher based in New York and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University, explores the profound significance of the cell, the foundational unit of life, in his longlisted book. Described as both panoramic and intimate, it has been hailed as his most remarkable work to date. The judges note that the discovery of the cell has reshaped our understanding of the human body and brain, revolutionizing medical practice in the past and holding immense clinical promise for the future. Mukherjee’s book provides an authoritative yet personal account of this remarkable cellular narrative, showcasing his exceptional ability to demystify complex scientific concepts and reveal the foundations of life.
The longlist of thirteen books was carefully selected by this year’s judging panel, chaired by Frederick Studemann, the Literary Editor of ‘The Financial Times’ and comprising acclaimed author Andrea Wulf, ‘The Guardian’ theatre critic Arifa Akbar; writer and historian Ruth Scurr; journalist and critic Tanjil Rashid; and Andrew Haldane, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts. Their discussions were both rigorous and enjoyable, resulting in a diverse longlist encompassing various subjects and genres, from history and science to technology and geopolitics.
Studemann said, “Given the wealth of options on offer, getting to a longlist was never going to be easy. And indeed, our judging discussions were intense and rigorous – and also enjoyable and highly stimulating”. He added, “I’m delighted that the resulting longlist spans a wide range of subjects and genres – from history and science to technology and geopolitics along with a flash of swashbuckling adventure. The books on the longlist share an ability to communicate lucidly and engage with readers in an intelligent and relevant way,” he said.
This prestigious prize encompasses a wide range of non-fiction categories, including current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography, and the arts. To mark the prize’s 25th anniversary, the winning author will receive GBP 50,000, while the other shortlisted authors will each receive GBP 5,000, a substantial increase from the previous GBP 1,000, raising the total prize value to GBP 75,000. The final shortlist of six books will be revealed on October 8 during a live event at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in England. The ultimate winner will be honored on November 16 at a ceremony hosted at the Science Museum in London.
