Read Smart: The Winner of Winner's Shortlist - James Shapiro

The latest episode of The Read Smart Podcast continues our Winner of Winners series, where each of the shortlisted authors are interviewed.

This week, host Razia Iqbal will be speaking to James Shapiro, who won the prize in 2006 with 1599: A Year In The Life of William Shakespeare. Iqbal and Shapiro explore life in Elizabethan England, how Shakespeare managed to produce four great works (including Hamlet) in just one year and why the rumours that Shakespeare was in fact more than one person are false. Hear more to find out how and why Shakespeare become one of the greatest writers who ever lived.

If you’ve found hearing about the six novels interesting, be sure to come along to Cambridge Literary Festival at 6pm on 23rd April to hear three of our shortlisted #WinnerofWinners authors - Barbara Demick, Craig Brown and Patrick Radden Keefe – delve into their previously winning books and how they are feeling about making the shortlist. Click this link to buy tickets to the Cambridge Event: www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/events/b…winners/

Read Smart Podcast is commissioned by The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction and is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation.