2003 The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction

In what is often viewed as a male-dominated genre, male and female authors were equally represented in shortlist of the fifth edition of the prize. The shortlist also included fresh names alongside established writers; both Olivia Judson and Edgar Vincent were first-time authors.

Longlist announced

29 March 2003

Shortlist announced

1 May 2003

Winner & prize ceremony

9 June 2003

The winner

Pushkin

A Biography

T.J. Binyon

Published by: HarperCollins

What the judges said
“Whilst Pushkin does not translate well into English, Binyon has undertaken a massive task to reveal his genius to us and has written a gripping and intimate account of his life and death”

The shortlist

A prestigious shortlist of books are selected each year for the prize.

2003

Natasha's Dance

Orlando Figes

2003

The Devil That Danced On The Water

Aminatta Forna

2003

Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation

Olivia Judson

2003

Samuel Pepys

Claire Tomalin

2003

Nelson

Edgar Vincent

What the judges said
"Each book brings a different perspective on life – and we would urge everyone to seek out and read these books, even before the winner is announced.”

The longlist

The Baillie Gifford Prize rewards excellence in non-fiction writing

2003

Albion

Peter Ackroyd

2003

Revenge

Laura Blumenfeld

2003

The Lost King of France

Deborah Cadbury

2003

White Mughals

William Dalrymple

2003

Stranger on a Train

Jenny Diski

2003

The Righteous

Martin Gilbert

2003

A Corner of a Foreign Field

Ramachandra Guha

2003

Rosamond Lehmann

Selina Hastings

2003

Virgins of Venice

Mary Laven

2003

Byron

Fiona MacCarthy

2003

Stalin

Simon Sebag Montefiore

2003

A Rage for Rock Gardening

Nicola Shulman

2003

The Lunar Men

Jenny Uglow

What the judges said
"With subject matter as diverse as rock-gardening, the white Mughals of India and the varieties of reproduction in the natural world written as letters from an agony aunt, this is an incredibly rich, strong and varied longlist."