Current:Home > InvestStory of a devastating wildfire that reads ‘like a thriller’ wins Baillie Gifford nonfiction prize-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Story of a devastating wildfire that reads ‘like a thriller’ wins Baillie Gifford nonfiction prize
lotradecoin cryptocurrency news updates View Date:2024-12-26 05:05:33
LONDON (AP) — A book about a fire that ravaged a Canadian city and has been called a portent of climate chaos won Britain’s leading nonfiction book prize on Thursday.
John Vaillant’s “Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World” was awarded the 50,000 pound ($62,000) Baillie Gifford Prize at a ceremony in London.
Chair of the judging panel Frederick Studemann said the book tells “a terrifying story,” reading “almost like a thriller” with a “deep science backdrop.”
British Columbia-based writer Vaillant recounts how a huge wildfire that engulfed the oil city of Fort McMurray in 2016. The blaze, which burned for months, drove 90,000 people from their homes, destroyed 2,400 buildings and disrupted work at Alberta’s lucrative, polluting oil sands.
Studemann called “Fire Weather,” which was also a U.S. National Book Award finalist, “an extraordinary and elegantly rendered account of a terrifying climate disaster that engulfed a community and industry, underscoring our toxic relationship with fossil fuels.”
Founded in 1999, the prize recognizes English-language books from any country in current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts. It has been credited with bringing an eclectic slate of fact-based books to a wider audience.
Vaillant beat five other finalists including best-selling American author David Grann’s seafaring yarn “The Wager” and physician-writer Siddhartha Mukherjee’s “The Song of the Cell.”
Sponsor Baillie Gifford, an investment firm, has faced protests from environmental groups over its investments in fossil fuel businesses. Last year’s prize winner, Katherine Rundell, gave her prize money for “Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne” to a conservation charity.
The judges said neither the sponsor nor criticism of it influenced their deliberations.
Historian Ruth Scurr, who was on the panel, said she did not feel “compromised” as a judge of the prize.
“I have no qualms at all about being an independent judge on a book prize, and I am personally thrilled that the winner is going to draw attention to this subject,” she said.
veryGood! (88893)
Related
- Emily in Paris' Ashley Park Reveals How Lily Collins Predicted Her Relationship With Costar Paul Forman
- This Under Eye Mask Is Like an Energy Drink for Your Skin and It’s 46% Off on Prime Day
- When will Christian McCaffrey play? Latest injury updates on 49ers RB
- A New York village known for its majestic mute swans faces a difficult choice after one is killed
- Family of man killed by Connecticut police officer files lawsuit, seeks federal probe of department
- ‘The View’ co-hosts come out swinging at Donald Trump a day after he insulted them
- Anne Hathaway Apologizes to Reporter for Awkward 2012 Interview
- Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 6
- Jim Harbaugh wants to hire Colin Kaepernick to Chargers' coaching staff. Will the QB bite?
- Hawaii’s prison system confronts ‘a huge mental health crisis’
Ranking
- Beyoncé leads nominations for 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards
- Peter Dodge's final flight: Hurricane scientist gets burial at sea into Milton's eye
- Justin Timberlake cancels show in New Jersey after suffering unknown injury
- Frustrated With Your Internet Connection? This Top-Rated Wi-Fi Extender is $12 on Amazon Prime Day 2024
- Get Designer Michael Kors Bags on Sale Including a $398 Purse for $59 & More Deals Starting at $49
- When will Malik Nabers return? Latest injury updates on Giants WR
- Shop Flannel Deals Under $35 and Save Up to 58% Before Prime Day Ends!
- Amazon pharmacy to offer same-day delivery to nearly half of US by end of 2025
Recommendation
-
These six House races are ones to watch in this year’s election
-
Hurricane Milton hitting near the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Michael
-
Smartwatch shootout: New Apple Series 10, Pixel 3 and Samsung Galaxy 7 jockey for position
-
Sister Wives’ Christine and Janelle Weigh in on Kody and Robyn’s Marital Tension
-
Australian Olympic Committee hits out at criticism of controversial breaker Rachael Gunn
-
TikTok sued by 13 states and DC, accused of harming younger users
-
Rafael Nadal Tearfully Announces His Retirement From Tennis
-
Inflation slowed again, new CPI report shows: Will the Fed keep cutting rates?