Each year, the Royal Society grants ‘the world’s most prestigious award for science writing’ to a popular science author. This year’s nominees were announced last Thursday (unfortunately, an all-male list). As holiday season may soon be approaching for some, the nominated titles may contain ideas for whiling away some unaccustomed leisure time. Those interested in knowing more about the selected books can click on the links below for a short summary of each:
A Life Decoded, by J. Craig Venter
Coral: A pessimist in paradise by Steve Jones
Gut Feelings by Gerd Gigerenzer
Six Degrees: Our future on a hotter planet by Mark Lynas
The Sun Kings by Stuart Clark
Why Beauty is Truth by Ian Stewart
According to the Royal Society website, Professor Jonathan Ashmore, chair of the judges, said: “All of the six shortlisted books are compelling in their own way and really reflect the breadth and diversity of popular science writing.” The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Royal Society on Monday 16 June 2008 and awarded £10,000. The authors of each shortlisted book will receive £1,000. The winner of the Royal Society Prizes for Science Books Junior Prize will also be announced at the ceremony.