UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 22 APRIL
Dr Islam Issa’s book Alexandria: The City That Changed the World has been shortlisted for the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2024.
Described as an original, authoritative and lively cultural history of the first modern city, it will be up against six other works when judging takes place later this year.
“I'm thrilled to be shortlisted,” said Dr Issa, Professor of Literature and History at Birmingham City University as well as an award-winning author, broadcaster and curator.
“Alexandria has been received brilliantly since its publication; in reviews, 'book of the year' lists, and, perhaps most importantly, the many correspondences from people around the world who were moved by its story.”
Judith Mossman, the chair of judges, said: “We had an extremely varied and stimulating long list from which to choose, which enabled us, after much discussion, to select one of our most varied shortlists of the last few years.”
Alexandria: The City That Changed the World has already been named a 'Book of the Year' by The Times, Sunday Times, Times Literary Supplement, Waterstones, and the American Library Association's Booklist Magazine.
The winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award, which recognises works in English about Greece or the world of Hellenism, will receive a prize of £10,000.
The award ceremony will be held in the Great Hall of King’s College London and streamed live on Zoom on Monday 17 June 2024, at 7pm.