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The judges for the UK's most valuable prize for non-fiction have announced today the longlist for the 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize 2005.

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The prize is worth 拢30,000 to the winner.

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From 130 entries and 43 call-ins, the 20 titles on the longlist range widely in subject matter.

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There are no fewer than three books about cities; three impressive first books; five historical biographies; two science books; and a tribute to the art of gardening.

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This year's 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize longlist is as diverse as it is thought-provoking.

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Sue MacGregor, Chair of the judges, comments: "The exciting thing about non-fiction is how all-embracing a category it is, and how fluid. The judges have all had a good time going through the dozens of entries. And there are interesting trends to spot.

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"From three writers with first books, to consummate biographers, books inspired by some of the world's greatest cities to the gentle art of gardening - this longlist reveals new trends and the current strength of non-fiction.

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The spread is wide - the final choice will be the really hard task."

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The 2005 judging panel represents the finest in academic and literary experience.

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Chaired by Sue MacGregor, the judges are mathematician and broadcaster, Marcus du Sautoy; Sunday Times Deputy Literary Editor, Andrew Holgate; historian and broadcaster, Maria Misra; and journalist and broadcaster, John Simpson.

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The shortlist for the prize will be announced at Waterstone's Piccadilly in London on Thursday 12 May.

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The winner of The 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2005 will be announced at an awards dinner at the Savoy Hotel in London on Tuesday 14 June.

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The 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-fiction 2005 Longlist

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Former Winners of the 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize

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1999 Stalingrad by Antony Beevor

2000 Berlioz: Servitude and Greatness by David Cairns

2001 The Third Reich: A New History by Michael Burleigh

2002 Peacemakers: The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 by Margaret Macmillan

2003 Pushkin: A biography by T.J.Binyon

2004 Stasiland by Anna Funder

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Notes to Editors

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The judges may be available for interview and can be contacted through Colman Getty PR.

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The winner of The 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2005 will be announced at an awards dinner at the Savoy Hotel in London on Tuesday 14 June.

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The 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction is open to books in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts. Books published in English by writers of any nationality are eligible for the prize, provided they are published in the UK between 1 May 2004 and 30 April 2005.

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The 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction is managed by a steering committee and administered by Colman Getty PR. The steering committee is made up of

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Stuart Proffitt, Chair (Publishing Director, Penguin)

Antony Beevor (historian and author)

Mark Bell (91热爆 FOUR)

Martin Grindley (independent bookseller)

Dotti Irving (Chief Executive, Colman Getty PR)

Adam Kemp (91热爆 Arts)

Mervyn King (Governor, The Bank of England)

James Naughtie (broadcaster, 91热爆 Radio 4's Today Programme)

Peter Straus (literary agent, Rogers, Coleridge and White)

Martin Taylor (International Adviser for Goldman Sachs).

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91热爆 FOUR televises the awards ceremony and features complementary programming on the channel and online support on bbc.co.uk/bbcfour

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91热爆 FOUR is part of the 91热爆's portfolio of free-to-air, licence fee-funded channels.

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The 91热爆 FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction logo is available from Colman Getty PR.

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