Kochanski wins £50k Wolfson History Prize

In the UK, Halik Kochanski has won the £50,000 (A$96,280) Wolfson History Prize for Resistance: The underground war in Europe, 1939–45 (Allen Lane).

Kochanski’s book was chosen from a shortlist of six, announced in September. Wolfson History Prize chair of judges David Cannadine said Resistance is ‘impressive in its breadth, blending macro and micro history into a single narrative’.

‘Through meticulous research and powerful writing, Halik Kochanski highlights the indomitable courage of those who resisted the Nazis,’ said Cannadine. ‘In our own times of conflict and instability, Resistance is a timely winner of the Wolfson History Prize, and we offer our warmest congratulations to Halik.’

The UK’s most valuable nonfiction writing prize, the annual Wolfson History Prize was created to ‘champion the best and most accessible historical writing and to highlight the importance of history to modern life’. The prize is run by independent charity the Wolfson Foundation, which awards grants in the fields of science, health, education, arts and the humanities.

Clare Jackson won last year’s prize for Devil-Land: England under siege, 1588–1688 (Allen Lane). More information about the Wolfson Prize is available on the prize website.

Category: International news