The 2005 shortlist for the contemporary non-fiction prize included an account of shocking crimes in Victorian London and tales of two cities.
LIKE A FIERY ELEPHANT: THE STORY OF BS JOHNSON By Jonathan Coe. Published by Picador Long-awaited biography of a passionate advocate for the avant-garde in both literature and film. Read an extract from Like a Fiery Elephant (PDF 21 KB)
MAXIMUM CITY: BOMBAY LOST AND FOUND By Suketu Mehta. Published by Headline Review The story of Mumbai, told by a writer who returns to the city after 21 years' absence. Read an extract from Maximum City (PDF 25 KB)
ISTANBUL: MEMORIES OF A CITY By Orhan Pamuk. Published by Faber & Faber Novelist Orhan Pamuk explores the city that has been his home for 50 years. Read an extract from Istanbul (PDF 45 KB)
MATISSE THE MASTER By Hilary Spurling. Published by Hamish Hamilton A definitive two-volume biography, 15 years in the making, drawing on previously unavailable material.
THE ITALIAN BOY: MURDER AND GRAVE-ROBBERY IN 1830S LONDON By Sarah Wise. Published by Jonathan Cape A series of shocking crimes in London's East End that led to controversial legislation. Read an extract from The Italian Boy (PDF 23 KB)
The BBC Four Samuel Johnson Prize is open to the authors of all non-fiction books published in the UK, regardless of nationality. Each of the shortlisted authors receives £1,000, while the prize for the winner is £30,000
