On #WorldBookDay, we’re celebrating the power of history to deepen our understanding of yesterday and respond to the present.
Dive into the stories that have shaped our world and explore our curated collection of winning and shortlisted titles on our @bookshop_org_UK page. 📚
bit.ly/4aMgUwP
It's competition time! 📚
We're giving away an entire set of the 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist.
For a chance to win, you must:
1) Follow us on Bluesky
2) Like and reshare this post on Bluesky
Entries close 13/03/2026 10AM GMT. UK only.
#DidYouKnow that women have been doing detective work for centuries?
In the 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlisted book 'The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective', alumna @victoriandetective.bsky.social explores the morally ambiguous work of real women detectives.⬇️
bit.ly/49PezAu
#OTD in 1455 many believe that the first European book was printed using moveable metal type.
Learn more about the human relationship to books in 2023 #WolfsonHistoryPrize alumna Emma Smith's ‘Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers’.⬇️
bit.ly/49orqZ1
#DidYouKnow that seabirds formed a significant part of the St Kildan diet?
Discover more about the island and its inhabitants in 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlisted author Andrew Fleming's book 'The Gravity of Feathers: Fame, Fortune and the Story of St Kilda'.⬇️
bit.ly/4aRJlKd
Looking for history book recommendations from your favourite historians? Our @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page has over 30 lists curated by some of the UK's best authors of history.
Happy reading.⬇️
uk.bookshop.org/shop/wolfson...
#OTD in 1945 the bombing of Dresden began.
2023 #WolfsonHistoryPrize winning book ‘Resistance: The Underground War in Europe, 1939-1945′ by Halik Kochanski is a haunting account of this period in history. Read more below.⬇️
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/past-winners...
Want to engage in panel discussions with some of the world's best historians, but not ready to brave the cold? The Gloucester History Festival Winter Warmer digital festival is on until 11 February.
Learn more.⬇️
www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/winter-warme...
#OTD in 1952, Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ acceded to the throne, marking the beginning of a transformational reign for the UK.
Curious to learn more? 2002 #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner Jerry White explores this period in 'London in the Twentieth Century: A City and Its People'.⬇️
bit.ly/4qY1s6f
English classicist, ancient historian and #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner, Robin Lane Fox will be speaking at this year's Lahore Literary Festival running from 6 - 8 February.
You can find more information on their website below. ⬇️
lahorelitfest.org
#OTD in 1649 Charles I was executed during the crisis-ridden 17th century.
Curious to learn more?
#WolfsonHistoryPrize 2022 winning book 'Devil Land: England Under Siege, 1588–1688' by Clare Jackson details this era. Read about the book at the link below. ⬇️
bit.ly/3MqW6kB
Held every year on the last Tuesday in January, The Fire Festival in Shetland burns a replica Viking longship.
Learn more about Viking history in #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlisted book 'Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age' by Eleanor Barraclough.
Read more here ⬇️
bit.ly/4pqCFXI
We are deeply saddened by the death of David Abulafia, winner of the 2020 Wolfson History Prize for ‘The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans’. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and readers.
#OTD in 1901 Queen Victoria died after a reign of almost 64 years.
#WolfsonHistoryPrize 2019 shortlisted author Miles Taylor explores her complex involvement with India and her impact on the country in his book ‘Empress: Queen Victoria and India’. Learn more below. ⬇️
bit.ly/44tvlT1
Submissions for the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2026 close today. ⬇️
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/submissions/...
The Gloucester History Festival Winter Warmer digital festival is on until 11 February.
From hidden Vikings to the history of magic, enjoy 50 broadcasted events this winter.
Learn more. ⬇️
www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/winter-warme...
This is your gentle reminder that submissions for the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2026 are open for one more week, closing on 19 January 2026. ⬇️
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/submissions/...
Sherlock who? Sarah Lodge brings to life women who brought justice to Victorian streets and found their way into the art! Can she convince you to buy her Wolfson Prize nominated book in 15 minutes? @alexchurchill.bsky.social @boneyabroad.com
Watch: tinyurl.com/45dxf4ut
Listen: tinyurl.com/yc847v3r
The 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize is open to submissions from publishers from 9 December 2025 – 19 January 2026.
The Wolfson History Prize is the most valuable history writing prize in the UK.
Find out more. ⬇️
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/submissions/
Looking for history book recommendations? Explore #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2025 winner Hannah Durkin's favourite historical non-fiction books on our @bookshop.org page⬇️📚
uk.bookshop.org/lists/hannah...
A reminder that submissions for the Wolfson History Prize 2026 are open from 9 December 2025 to 19 January 2026.
Did you know that the 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist and winning book are available on our @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page?
Make a head start on your winter reading list by browsing now. ⬇️
Https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/wolfson-history-prize-shortlist-2025
The #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2025 was awarded to Hannah Durkin during a ceremony on Tuesday 2 December.
Click below to find out more about Hannah and her winning book @wmcollinsbooks.bsky.social.⬇️
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/past-winners...
Looking for the perfect festive gift for a history fan?
Explore books from #WolfsonHistoryPrize winners & shortlisted authors on @blackwells.bsky.social
Browse now: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/col...
"This searing book conveys the survivors' sufferings and remarkable resilience, bringing to life their personal stories"
The #WolfsonHistoryPrize judges on why they awarded the 2025 prize to Hannah Durkin's 'Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade'.
This festive season, why not give the gift of a literary adventure through history?
Explore the incredible books from this year's #WolfsonHistoryPrize winners & shortlisted authors on @waterstones.bsky.social. Perfect for history lovers on your list. ⬇️
Browse now: bit.ly/4p5N7Uj
The 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize is open for submissions from publishers from 9 December 2025 – 19 January 2026.
The prize recognises work reflecting both readability for a general audience and the highest quality writing and research.
Find out more. ⬇️
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/submissions/
Congratulations once again to the six shortlisted authors for the 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize.
📕Eleanor Barraclough
📕Helen Castor
📕 @kieranconnell.bsky.social
📕Hannah Durkin
📕Andrew Fleming
📕 @victoriandetective.bsky.social
www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/past-winners...
Delighted to be there for this exciting announcement! Congratulations to Hannah Durkin. 🥂🥂🥂
Congratulations once again to this year's brilliant shortlisted authors: Eleanor Barraclough, @kieranconnell.bsky.social, @victoriandetective.bsky.social, Helen Castor, Hannah Durkin and Andrew Fleming.
