Charles Taylor Prize 2013 Shortlist Announced

The shortlist for the prestigious Canadian Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction were announced in Toronto yesterday. According to the organization:

The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction recognizes excellence in Canadian non-fiction writing and emphasizes the development of the careers of the authors it celebrates. All five finalists will be supported by extensive publicity and promotional opportunities, including a mid-cycle author event. 

 The Prize is awarded annually to the author whose book best combines a superb command of the English language, an elegance of style, and a subtlety of thought and perception, the winner receives $25,000 and the remaining finalists each receive $2000.

Now in its 12 year, the $25,000 prize will be awarded on March 4th.

This year’s jurors read and reviewed 129 Canadian-authored non-fiction books submitted by 43 publishers from around the world.

The Finalists for the 2013 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction Are:

• The Pursuit of Perfection: A Life of Celia Franca, by Carol Bishop-Gwyn (Cormorant Books)
•  Warlords: Borden, Mackenzie King, and Canada’s World Wars, by Tim Cook (Allen Lane)
•  Journey with No Maps: A Life of P.K. Page, by Sandra Djwa (McGill-Queen’s University Press)
•  Leonardo and The Last Supper, by Ross King (Bond Street Books)
•  Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy, by Andrew Preston (Knopf Canada)