Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025: Neneh Cherry, Yuan Yang, and Rachel Clarke in shortlist
ADVERTISEMENT
The Women's Prize for Non-Fiction has announced its 2025 shortlist. The 16 works
longlisted in February
have been whittled down to six writers including Swedish singer Neneh Cherry, British-Chinese MP Yuan Yang and British physician Rachel Clarke.
Foreign policy expert Chloe Dalton, historian Clare Mulley, and marine biologist Helen Scales are also shortlisted for the £30,000 (€35,900) prize. From the initial shortlist that featured five non-British writers, only one remains: Neneh Cherry.
Related
Little Simz reveals first acts for Meltdown Festival at London's Southbank Centre
American playwright ak payne wins Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
It's the second edition of the Non-Fiction prize after it was launched in 2024 to celebrate books released in 2023. The sister prize to the Women's Prize for Fiction, Canadian author
Naomi Klein
was the first recipient of the non-fiction prize for "Doppelganger", her critique of political polarization through the conceit of being regularly mistaken for Naomi Wolff.
This year's shortlist covers a breadth of topics from history, science and nature, to current affairs and memoir.
'It's an absolute pleasure to announce six books on our 2025 shortlist from across genres, that are united by an unforgettable voice, rigour, and unique insight,' Kavita Puri, judging chair said.
'Included in our list are narratives that honour the natural world and its bond with humanity, meticulously researched stories of women challenging power, and books that illuminate complex subjects with authority, nuance and originality,' Puri continued.
Cherry was shortlisted for her deeply affecting memoir, "A Thousand Threads", which traces her musical career and life through the emotional highs and lows that shaped them, while Yang was chosen for her intimate portrait of four Chinese women in "Private Revolutions".
"The Story of a Heart" is the latest work from Rachel Clarke, the doctor who wrote
"Breathtaking"
, the memoir of her time in the NHS during the first wave of
Covid-19
. Her latest explains the history of heart surgery through the story of two children connected by a heart transplant.
This year's judging panel, from L to R: Elizabeth Buchan, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett, Kavita Puri and Emma Gannon.
Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025.
Longlisted books that didn't make the shortlist include American Pulitzer Prize winner Anne Applebaum's "Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World" which tackles the democratic threats of kleptocratic authoritarianism.
The award is open globally to any books by female writers published in the UK between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
Alongside Puri, the panel of judges includes writers Dr Leah Broad, Elizabeth Buchan, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett and Emma Gannon.
The non-fiction prize was founded after a survey revealed that only 35.5% of books awarded a non-fiction prize in the past decade were written by women, across seven UK non-fiction prizes. They also determined that, as of 2022, just 26.5% of non-fiction books by female writers were reviewed in national newspapers.
Shortlist for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025:
"A Thousand Threads" by Neneh Cherry
"The Story of a Heart" by Rachel Clarke
"Raising Hare" by Chloe Dalton
"Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Courageous WW2 Resistance Fighter Elżbieta Zawacka" by Clare Mulley
"What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World's Ocean" by Helen Scales
"Private Revolutions: Coming of Age in a New China" by Yuan Yang
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
2 hours ago
- Fashion Network
First-ever Hermès Birkin handbag to be auctioned in Paris in July
The first Birkin handbag, designed especially for Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, the last day of Haute Couture Week, announced auction house Sotheby's on Thursday. The large black leather tote, the original version of one of the world's most celebrated and expensive handbags, will be the 'signature item' in Sotheby's 'Fashion Icons' auction, as Sotheby's said in a press release. The handbag will be exhibited to the public at Sotheby's gallery in New York on June 6-12, ahead of its final presentation at the auction house's Parisian offices in the 8th arrondissement, on July 3-9. The 'historic handmade prototype,' engraved with the initials J.B., is distinctive for several peculiarities that make it a unique piece: its size, the closed metal rings, the non-detachable shoulder strap, and the incorporated nail clipper. Jane Birkin was undoubtedly a fashion icon, but she was keen on practicality above all. On a Paris to London flight, the British singer-actress, who died in 2023, complained with a fellow passenger of not being able to find a handbag that fit the needs of a young mother. The fellow passenger was none other than Jean-Louis Dumas, then boss of Hermès. A tote bag with a pouch for baby bottles was launched by Hermès in 1984, and was named Birkin. Forty years later, the Birkin leather handbag has become the French luxury house's most iconic product. It is manufactured in very small quantities to foster its exclusive image. Its prices can vary greatly, from a few thousand euro for the simplest models, to several hundred thousand euros for the most luxurious ones. In addition to the Birkin handbag, the auction will feature iconic items from runway shows by designers such as Christian Dior, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler and Alexander McQueen. The auction will start online from June 26, and will continue until the closing date of July 10.
France 24
4 hours ago
- France 24
Art that speaks for the sea: Mandy Barker's mission to end fast fashion waste
10:14 In this special edition for World Oceans Day, we spotlight the urgent, haunting work of Mandy Barker, the award-winning British photographic artist using sea-salvaged fashion waste to expose the truth about plastic pollution. Her cyanotype series "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Imperfections" reimagines the work of 19th-century botanist Anna Atkins, replacing seaweed with clothing scraps collected from 121 beaches around the UK. The result is both poetic and jarring, earning praise from none other than Sir David Attenborough, who supports Barker's work for its power to inspire real change. Also on the programme, we share the mesmerising photography of Jean Gaumy, an official naval artist and member of Magnum Photos, whose decades-long career documenting life at sea continues to shape how we see the ocea – from polar expeditions to submarine missions. Together, their work is a wake-up call – and a visual love letter – to the world's most vital ecosystem.
Sustainability Times
7 hours ago
- Sustainability Times
'Elon Musk Left in the Dust': China Crushes U.S. Dreams by Fixing the Fatal Flaw That Killed the Hyperloop Once and for All
IN A NUTSHELL 🚄 Chinese scientists have developed a solution to reduce turbulence in ultra-high-speed maglev trains, addressing track imperfections. in ultra-high-speed maglev trains, addressing track imperfections. 💡 The innovative system combines AI-powered suspension with electromagnetic actuators for a smoother ride. suspension with electromagnetic actuators for a smoother ride. 🌌 China's vision extends beyond transportation, aiming to leverage maglev technology for future space launches . . 🌍 The advancements could revolutionize global transportation, raising questions about international collaboration and scalability. In recent years, the race to achieve ultra-high-speed transportation has captured the imagination of scientists and engineers worldwide. Among the most ambitious projects is the development of the vacuum-tube maglev train, a concept that promises to revolutionize travel by reaching unparalleled speeds. China's latest advancements in this field have shown promising results, addressing some of the critical challenges that have hindered such projects in the past. This article delves into the groundbreaking work led by Chinese scientists to overcome these obstacles and the potential implications for the future of transportation. Addressing the Turbulence Challenge One of the primary challenges in developing high-speed maglev trains is managing turbulence and vibrations caused by track imperfections. Chinese scientists have recognized that even minor flaws in the track, such as uneven coils or bridge deformations, can lead to severe turbulence inside maglev pods. These vibrations could transform what should be a smooth ride into a jarring experience, particularly in the near-vacuum conditions required for high-speed travel. To tackle this issue, the research team has devised a solution that significantly reduces turbulence intensity. By employing advanced simulation techniques and conducting physical tests with scaled-down models, they discovered that turbulence could be cut nearly in half. This achievement is noteworthy, as it transforms 'extremely severe bumps' into experiences that are 'pronounced, but not unpleasant.' At the heart of this breakthrough is the meticulous study of track irregularities and the vertical bending of bridges. The team, led by Zhao Ming from the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, has made substantial progress in mitigating the resonance that occurs at speeds around 249 mph (400 km/h) and 373 mph (600 km/h). These efforts underscore the importance of addressing infrastructure imperfections to ensure passenger comfort and safety. 'China Finally Sells Record-Breaking Plane': This 130-Foot Giant Can Dump 26,000 Pounds of Water in One Jaw-Dropping Drop Innovative AI-Powered Suspension Systems The integration of artificial intelligence into maglev technology has opened new avenues for improving ride quality. The Chinese team has developed a hybrid suspension system that combines traditional passive air springs with cutting-edge electromagnetic actuators. These actuators are guided by AI, which employs two sophisticated strategies to minimize turbulence. The first strategy, known as 'sky-hook' damping, simulates an invisible stabilizer attached to the sky. This method uses real-time speed data to counteract low-frequency jolts, enhancing passenger comfort. The second strategy involves PID control, a well-established engineering principle that adjusts forces using proportional, integral, and derivative tuning methods. The team optimized this system using NSGA-II, a genetic algorithm that enables the AI to adapt to varying track conditions. Testing with a 1:10 scale model and six-axis motion simulators has yielded impressive results. Vertical vibration intensity was reduced by 45.6 percent, and Sperling Index scores remained comfortably below 2.5, even at high speeds. This achievement demonstrates that the ride is 'more pronounced but not unpleasant,' marking a significant leap forward in maglev technology. 'Old Rockets, New Threat': China Converts Aged Artillery Into Deadly Gliders Designed to Strike Fast-Moving Aerial Targets Beyond Transportation: China's Ambitious Vision China's commitment to advancing maglev technology extends beyond achieving faster travel. The nation views this innovation as a stepping stone to broader technological achievements, including cost-effective space launches. The Datong research facility embodies this vision, with engineers already making strides in developing airtight concrete tunnels and millimeter-precise track joints. While Elon Musk's Hyperloop project faced setbacks and ended its test track program in 2023, China remains undeterred. The Chinese team is optimistic that their hybrid suspension system, once tested at full scale, could revolutionize public transportation and reshape perceptions of high-speed travel. Despite the promising advancements, challenges persist. Scaling the suspension system for real-world use and ensuring its reliability during emergencies are crucial steps that lie ahead. Nevertheless, the progress made thus far demonstrates China's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in transportation technology. China Unleashes Next-Gen EREVs With Jaw-Dropping 870-Mile Range and Hesai LiDAR That Could Redefine Autonomous Driving Forever Charting the Future of High-Speed Travel As the world watches China's pioneering efforts in maglev technology, the implications for global transportation are profound. The potential to travel at speeds previously deemed unimaginable could redefine the way we connect cities and countries. However, achieving such a vision requires overcoming technical hurdles and ensuring passenger safety. The advancements in AI-controlled suspension systems and infrastructure optimization herald a new era in transportation innovation. Yet, questions remain about the scalability and viability of these technologies on a global scale. How will other nations respond to China's progress, and what role will international collaboration play in advancing high-speed travel technology? As we stand on the brink of a transportation revolution, one question lingers: can the world come together to realize the dream of safe, efficient, and ultra-fast travel that transcends boundaries and redefines the future of mobility? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (24)
