TORONTO - A history of sugar, a story of the First World War and a portrait of a trial in 19th century Russia have made the short list for the $25,000 Charles Taylor Prize for literary non-fiction.
The jury, including Winnipeg author Warren Cariou and journalist Jeffrey Simpson, read 135 books submitted by 43 publishers.
"They're all books of history, big-theme history," Simpson said
Tuesday after the short list was announced. "People who are interested in exploring historical subjects in a page-turning way will enjoy all of these books."
Toronto's Elizabeth Abbott made the cut for "Sugar: A Bittersweet History."
Queen's University professor Ana Siljak is in the running for "Angel of Vengeance: The 'Girl Assassin,' the Governor of St. Petersburg, and Russia's Revolutionary World."
Tim Cook -- a curator at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa -- was shortlisted for "Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War, 1917-1918, Volume Two."
"I've read many books of military history, but this one is so graphic as to what the horror was on the actual battlefield, without being voyeuristic, that it's a page-turner, and therefore relevant to today," Simpson said.
Rounding out the jury was Shirley Thomson, who has worked in the arts community in a number of roles.
The prize is named for the late essayist Charles Taylor and a winner will be announced Feb. 9.
The winner gets $25,000, while runners-up receive $2,000.
