Sunil Amrith Wins British Academy Book Prize 2025

Posted on: November 12, 2025 by: Deshvidesh

Indian-origin historian Sunil Amrith has been awarded the 2025 British Academy Book Prize, a £25,000 honor recognizing outstanding non-fiction works. His book, The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years, offers a sweeping account of how human activity has shaped the planet while highlighting overlooked sustainable practices and historical alternatives. Born in Kenya to South Indian parents, Amrith grew up in Singapore and now serves as a Professor of History at Yale University.

Judges praised the book as a detailed and eloquently written study linking human history to environmental change, emphasizing its relevance to today’s climate crisis. Amrith’s research spans global events, from colonization and industrialization to pandemics and wars, providing insights into how past decisions continue to influence the planet. The award ceremony at the British Academy in London recognized his scholarship as a vital contribution to understanding humanity’s ecological footprint.