The Six books on the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist are united by the power of hope and the necessity of resistance to initiate change. In different ways, this shortlist exemplifies the irrepressible spirit of humanity and nature, and the capacity of both to reinvent in the face of adversity.

From history, science and nature, to current affairs and memoir these non-fiction works are written with passion, insight and authority, vividly and compellingly bringing to life their respective stories and subjects.

The 2025 shortlisted titles for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction are as follows (alphabetical by author surname):

It’s an absolute pleasure to announce six books on our 2025 shortlist from across genres, that are united by an unforgettable voice, rigour, and unique insight. Included in our list are narratives that honour the natural world and its bond with humanity, meticulously researched stories of women challenging power, and books that illuminate complex subjects with authority, nuance and originality. These books will stay with you long after they have been read, for their outstanding prose, craftsmanship, and what they reveal about the human condition and our world. It was such a joy to embrace such an eclectic mix of narratives by such insightful women writers – we are thrilled and immensely proud of our final shortlist.

Kavita Puri, Chair of Judges

The 2025 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction Shortlist

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The Story of a Heart
Raising Hare
Private Revolutions: Coming of Age in a New China
Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Courageous WW2 Resistance Fighter Elżbieta Zawacka
What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World's Ocean
A Thousand Threads