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 The Globe and Mail's Jeffrey Simpson, read 135 books submitted by 43 publishers.
Toronto's Elizabeth Abbott made the cut for Sugar: A Bittersweet History.”
Tim Cook – a curator at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa – was shortlisted for Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War.”
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.
The prize was named for the late essayist Charles Taylor. The winner will be announced on Feb. 9.
